SVRA introduces new open-wheel program at Indy

Open-wheel Formula Continental cars run at the 2016 SVRA Brickyard Invitational. Photo by Mike Young, courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

You’ve heard it and so have we: Real race cars don’t have roofs or fenders. It’s a philosophy that’s in perfect sync with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is expanding its very successful alliance with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. Next year, the Texas-based SVRA will host the SVRA Open Wheel World Challenge, set for June 8-11, 2017, one week before the group’s already spectacularly successful Brickyard Invitational vintage meet at Indy.

Open-wheel racing is Indy’s very DNA. While the challenge will specifically celebrate the 50th anniversary of Formula Ford, it’s open to any genre of open-wheel car from the past: Formula 1, Formula 5000, Indy car, Indy Lights, Formula Vee and Formula Junior, among others. The rules will establish speed-based groups so cars of similar performance capability can compete fairly. The organizers are predicting that up to 500 fenderless racing cars may take part in the expanded program.

A Titan Mk IV Formula Ford runs at the 2016 Brickyard Invitational. Photo by Forrest Mellott, courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Of the new event, SVRA president and CEO Tony Parella said:

So many great drivers got their start with Formula Fords so we want to put a spotlight on the importance of that form of racing. This is an opportunity for open wheel racers from around the world to experience what it is like to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We expect this event to be the largest gathering of open wheel competition ever assembled.

Thank the growth of the Brickyard Invitational over the past three years for the debut of the Open Wheel World Challenge, which SVRA officials believe will unite the fender-less and be-fendered racing communities. It also gives fans another chance to watch open-wheel race cars dice at the Brickyard, and from our perspective, that’s not a bad thing.

For more information and updates, visit SVRA.com.

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