Trans Am Sedan Challenge highlights '23 Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races

The 2023 version of the Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races -- held Sept 19-21 in ideal weather conditions -- by all measures was a big success for this unique midwestern event. Beginning in 2009 as a small reunion celebrating the original ‘50s era races at Put-in-Bay on Ohio’s South Bass Island, vintage sports car races have been held here annually by the “Put-in-Bay Road Race Heritage Society” since 2012 (except 2020).

This year, the featured marque wasn’t one marque but all Japanese marques. That emphasis brought out a record number of Datsuns (especially 510s). And thanks in part to promotional efforts by Datsun wonks Steven and Chris Bonk, the event brought out several BMW sedans and other brands that collectively made up the event’s TransAmBC&D Sedan Challenge race!

Racing takes place on the island’s airport on a challenging and competitive 1.2-mile hay-bale lined course which rewards precise braking and nimble handling on a pristinely maintained surface that offers numerous passing opportunities, and varieties of racing lines.

Besides two days of racing, there is also an all-entrant’s car show, police-escorted tour-laps of the original, ‘50’s era 3.1-mile road course, social gatherings and the highly competitive and entertaining “rocker cover races.”

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Tentative 2024 dates: September 17-19, 2024.