The Brickyard Invitational: America’s Speed Festival

Drivers, crews and fans all carry the same message at the Brickyard Invitational: this is a flat-out fun event. The gathering is a convention of sorts for gear-heads of every variety: drivers, mechanics, photographers, artists, journalists, authors and those that just like to soak up the atmosphere – and atmosphere is the whole point really, as especially the Indianapolis 500 veteran drivers pause to take it all in.

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“Being here now is different because we really have time to appreciate each other,” Lyn St. James says. “Everyone talks about how special this place is and it is, but the people are special too. It is so great to see Dick Simon, what a wonderful man. He probably launched the Indy careers of a third of the pros here.”

Donnie Beechler, who started in four “500s,” agrees that the pressure is off while the appreciation of everything – including the fun – is full on.

“The pressure is off now,” Beechler says. “I just appreciate being here, having a chance to go fast, enjoy driving and enjoy fellowship. It makes you think, really. The Indy 500 veterans are a mix of different eras. Some I am just meeting, others I raced against and know well. The thing is, though, regardless of our ages, what we all have in common is that we all raced in the Indianapolis 500.”

While the cars circulate both the oval and the road course at speed there is so much more going on. The overall event is a true festival with a host of activities to choose from.

On Friday there was the Motostalgia auction with an amazing display of high-end collector cars ranging from street vehicles over 100 years old to very special race cars driven by some of the most revered names in racing history such as the Lotus 56 turbine Graham Hill put on the front row of the 1968 Indianapolis 500. The car, worth $2 million, did not find a new owner but many other exquisite machines changed hands. Motostalgia is an elite automobile auction company with offices in Monte Carlo, Mexico City and Austin, Texas.

At the north end of the track was the “Show and Shine” car show with select machines – the pride and joy of their owners. Jaguar, who recently became seriously invested in the SVRA as a series sponsor had a presence there. So did Heacock classic car insurance, another sponsor.

Long-time Indianapolis 500 fan and car enthusiast Bill Reeser (RIGHT) entered his 2006 Mustang GT in the show to share his pride and joy and engage kindred spirits. He found them.

“I always come to the Indianapolis 500 but this is becoming my favorite event,” Reeser reports. “I love all the cars and the history. These guys aren’t afraid to take their cars out on the track. Those cars are not trailer queens.”

Mike Smith, another “Show and Shine” entrant with his 1941 Oldsmobile 98 called the Brickyard Invitational, “Fantastic.”

“This event is an incredible addition to the calendar,” Smith says. “It’s just so big with so many things going on you just can’t see it all.”

As part of their sponsorship package Jaguar staged test drives of its new models in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame parking lot. The demographic of SVRA participants and fans is spot on for the company. Indianapolis 500 veteran and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Davy Jones is the lead driving instructor.

“Jaguar is a great fit with SVRA,” Jones says. “These are our people, our brand speaks to them.”

Jaguar also presented a hospitality experience near the track’s famous Pagoda worthy of their storied, premium brand. Visitors were welcomed into their pavilion for a full breakfast complete with espresso coffee. Fans Carl Vela and Jason Thompson, who lives in Ohio, stopped by to indulge. Interestingly they met last year at the first Brickyard Invitational and became fast friends. This year they took advantage of the overnight infield camping package offered by the Speedway.

“It’s just amazing to see the track at night,” Vela says. “The Pagoda is all lit up. It’s awesome.”

Thompson’s first trip to the Speedway did not come in May, but last year for the inaugural Brickyard Invitational. After that experience he decided to give the Indianapolis 500 a try in 2015. He loved it, but insists he prefers SVRA’s show.

“I like SVRA quite a bit,” Thompson says. “This is a great American racetrack. I think it’s appropriate that some great cars that never raced here before get their chance. It seems like destiny.”

Vendor displays abound, adding an authenticity to the atmosphere. The offerings are typically from artists, authors or filmmakers that are as passionate about their role in the sport as any driver or mechanic. Bob West with sons Steve and David, all of Donner’s Grove, Ill., savor the trappings of racing history.

“I love the history. It will be fun to see the drivers again,” says Bob. “They have to be in heaven.”

Son Steve appreciates the honor brought to the cars. He especially enjoys the iconic “roadsters.”

“We came to see the roadsters. We love all the cars but those roadsters are the best,” Steve says. “It’s great to see the SVRA started that A.J. Watson Trophy for best roadster.”

For David the cars spanning eras demonstrate innovation.

“It’s like a golden era comes to life again,” David shares. “The innovation is so clear, so evident.”

The Layton family (LEFT, left to right: Dad Joe, Daniel and Andy surround the 2014 Brickyard Invitational's A.J. Watson Trophy – the 1955 Kurtis-Kraft Offy), another father-and-son team of fans, drove in from Battle Creek, Mich. The trip was Joe’s Father’s Day present from his sons, Andy and Daniel, ages 27 and 22.

“Our family going back to my great-grandparents can trace our Indianapolis 500 attendance for every year dating back to 1926,” Joe says proudly. “You just can’t find access to the cars anywhere else like you can with this event.”

The bonds between father and sons come out in their words and their excitement to feel immersed in Brickyard lore.

“This is living history,” says Andy. “You can see it, smell it, even taste the rubber. This is the closest thing to living through a time that was long gone before I was born.”

Daniel, who is studying to be a mechanical engineer says the show brings to life what he learns in school.

“I can literally touch examples of the principles I have learned about,” he says. “Where else can you go to see so much? And to be able to put your hands on it and discuss it with friendly, knowledgeable people that want to share? It’s incredible.”

Access is a constant theme regardless of whom you talk to you, and irrespective of their role. In the Formula 1 garage that housed his 1971 Indianapolis 500 winning P.J. Colt racer, four-time champion Al Unser Sr. walked casually among fans, laughing and joyfully signing autographs. The i-Phones were in abundance, positioned arm’s length from smiling fans who embraced one of the great auto racing stars that ever lived while capturing the moment no doubt destined for Instagram or Facebook.

Beside Big Al stood his nephew Johnny who shook hands with four-year-old Rylee Kinser (RIGHT), an exuberant and precocious toddler. She happily announced it was the first time Daddy had taken her to the track. Father Dustin stood close by capturing the moment with his camera phone.

“This is great event to introduce her to the track,” Dustin says. “Everyone is so friendly, so relaxed. I can’t believe she’s shaking hands with Johnny Unser. We can go anywhere today. It’s awesome.”

Rylee says she wants to come again.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

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