INDIANAPOLIS — For the second consecutive year, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association will visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, one of the nation’s largest vintage racing festivals featuring four days of action with cars of all types. Vintage Indy cars, Formula One cars, stock cars and more will run on the famed 2.5-mile oval and the 2.439-mile IMS road course from June 11-14.
More than 500 cars spanning 11 groups will race virtually non-stop. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day.Thirty-three former Indianapolis 500 drivers, including two-time champion Al Unser Jr., will practice on Friday and race on Saturday in the Pro-Am event. Before the Pro-Am on Saturday, a fan walk is available on the pit lane — an excellent opportunity to meet drivers up-close and obtain photos and autographs.
For the first time ever, five members of the Unser family will drive on the IMS oval at the same time. Al, Bobby, Al Jr., Robby and Johnny Unser will drive on Sunday in vintage Indy cars.
“Motostalgia,” a high-end car auction, will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday. Among the cars up for bidding is the Lotus turbine that Graham Hill drove in the 1968 Indianapolis 500.
At 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (weather permitting), a hot air balloon will be tethered in the infield and fans can ride it 75 feet in the air for a unique perspective on all the action. Rides are $10 per person, with children 12 and under free with an adult. Also, between 6:30-8 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting), six balloons will launch outside IMS to commemorate the 1909 balloon races that were the first events of any kind at the facility.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jim Clark’s Indianapolis 500 victory, several of the cars he drove in his “500” appearances will be displayed.
Blood, Sweat & Tears will play Saturday evening in Pagoda Plaza. The show is free to all ticket holders.
Tickets are available at IMS.com and on-site; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
