Sportscar Vintage Racing Association's Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix adds the heart-pounding excitement of vintage car racing to the established prestige of classic automobile events during 2016's Amelia Concours Week. The Gran Prix line-up from March 17-20 (with races open to the ticketed public on March 19 and 20) will excite enthusiasts of any age and includes not only auto racing, but also vintage aircraft flyovers, vintage motorcycle demonstrations, a “Show & Shine” car show, and a children’s Pine Wood Derby. The Fernandina Beach Municipal airport, originally built as a training facility for pilots of the WW2 era, will also display planes including General George Patton’s observation plane from WW2 on display. (Please note: visitors will access the event via Amelia River Golf Club).
Amongst the expected 250 entrants, Ross Bremer will race in the same 1967 English Ford Angelia Super that that he drove on the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport track during the 1968 Gold Crown Prix, where vehicles reached speeds of up to 190 mph with crowds of 5,000 spectators. Bremer, 80 years old, reminisces on his Angelia having broken down in the 1968 race, and promises: “Now 48 years later, I intend to finish the race.”
As for the air show, two grand marshals will take to the sky together: 95 year old Jack Hallet, a decorated former WW2 Army Air Corp fighter pilot, and Orestes Lorenzo, a former Cuban Air Force pilot who defected to Florida. For years, Lorenzo attempted to secure the release of his family from Cuba with no success. Taking matters into his own hands, he flew a Cessna aircraft from the Florida Keys to Cuba, ten feet above the waves, and managed to bring his family back into the US, where they have resided ever since.
Don’t miss the debut of this exciting event.
Schedule of Events:
Thursday, March 17
11:15AM – 1:30PM
Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix Race Car Tour
Route throughout Amelia Island, with automobiles parking along Front St. during their downtown break.
Friday, March 18
No public events. Participants will be setting up, practicing and entering qualifying races during the day.
Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20
8:00AM - 5:00 PM
The Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix
Spectator entrance at Amelia River Golf Club (for viewing event at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport)
Shuttles will be provided for accessing various displays.
Spectators will enjoy 10 racing sessions each morning and 10 each afternoon.
Show and Shine Car Show
Amelia River Golf Club
Pine Wood Derby
Saturday, March 19
2PM – 5PM
Sunday, March 20
12PM – 2PM
Amelia River Golf Club
Note: for those who wish to participate, please plan to set up on Saturday and join on Sunday, as well.
Check out the SVRA site for the detailed
race schedule.
Ticketing:
Spectator Tickets are on sale as daily passes at $25 or as a weekend pass for $45 for advanced purchases. Pricing will increase by $5 each the weekend of the event. Tickets provide access to all the events. Get them here:
•
Online
• At the Amelia Island Welcome Center (starting March 7) , 102 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL (904) 277-0717.
• At 8 Flags Motorsports, 2588 8th St, Fernandina Beach, (904) 310 3004.
Daily parking passes, valid Saturday or Sunday, cost $15 each.
Tickets are FREE for
- Active duty military personnel
- Children under 12
For more on the exciting events of
Amelia Concours Week and the
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, visit
here.