Racer and Broadcaster David Hobbs Named Honorary Race Director of the PVGP Historic Races
PITTSBURGH, PA—MAY 10, 2024—The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) hosts the 60th GT40 Reunion during the July 25-28 PVGP Historics at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum. We are excited to announce that David Hobbs will attend and serve in dual capacities as the Honorary Race Director for the PVGP Historic Races and the Master of Ceremonies for the GT40 60th Reunion.
In a 31-year driving career, David Hobbs raced in almost every imaginable category: endurance sports racers, touring cars, Formula 1, Formula 5000, Indycars, IMSA, Trans-Am, Can-Am and even NASCAR. As a former GT40 racer for Gulf Oil, he will be right at home this July in Pittsburgh, where there is plenty of GT40 history.
His racing career includes competing in Formula One for BRM, Honda, and McLaren. He has also achieved significant victories in other motorsports disciplines. He raced the Ford GT40, the Ferrari 512M, Porsche 917s and 956/962s. He competed in IMSA Camel GT for BMW, finished fifth in the Indy 500 for McLaren, won championships in Formula 5000 and Trans Am, and led the Daytona 500 in NASCAR. He is most closely associated with the Le Mans 24 Hours, where he raced 20 times.
Following his racing career, Hobbs entered broadcasting, becoming a revered figure on SpeedTV, CBS, ESPN and NBCSN, providing insightful commentary for NASCAR, Formula One, and the IndyCar series. His deep understanding of automotive history and racing dynamics, coupled with his engaging storytelling ability, have earned him numerous accolades in the broadcasting realm. David Hobbs’s involvement is set to significantly elevate the atmosphere of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix for all attendees.
“We are thrilled to have David Hobbs join us in these pivotal roles. Our collaboration with the PVGP allows us to produce an event that truly honors the GT40’s significant heritage and its impact on motorsports,” said Rick Muck, Managing Director of AutoventureUSA and the GT40 Reunion. This reunion commemorates the GT40’s 60 years of racing legacy and aligns perfectly with the PVGP commitment to celebrating automotive history”.
GT40 Reunion
The paddock and VDA at Pitt Race will be packed with GT40s and enthusiasts of this historic car. There will be track sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the GT40 Featured Race on Sunday afternoon. Schedule The Reunion is welcoming all Ford GT variants, from the original 1964 Ford GT, which became the GT40 in both Mk I and Mk II versions, the Mk IV, which won the two races it entered, the reborn 2005-2006 Ford GT, and the latest in the Ford GT lineup, the 2017-2024 Ford GT which returned Ford to LeMans with a class win on the 50th anniversary of Ford’s iconic 1-2-3 Finish. Ford-powered, accurate replicas are also welcome to attend.
The event is sponsored by Superformance and Safir GT40, spotlighting this iconic race car’s enduring appeal and historical significance. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to delve into the GT40’s rich legacy through engaging stories from owners and participants, as well as watching these cars on the track. During the lunch hour, there will be charity rides that will benefit the PVGP charities. The GT40 race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, July 28 – you won’t want to miss this! Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets.
About the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Founded in 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Motorsport Festival features two weekends of racing action. The first weekend is the PVGP Historics at Pittsburgh International Race Complex. The second weekend is racing through a 2.33-mile road course set on the streets of Schenley Park. Between our race weekends, we stage car shows, parties, road rallies, a black-tie formal and a new Garden Party at Phipps. The PVGP is driven by 1,200 volunteers dedicated to staging the country’s largest and longest-running vintage race event. It is also a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide residential care, treatment and support for people with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities – donating $6.7 million.
Contacts
Dan DelBianco 412 559-3500
Bernie Martin 412 996-5700
Rick Muck 716 812-3938