2023 Put-In-Bay Vintage Sports Car Races & Reunion
Put-in-Bay (Airport Course)About this event
FEATURED MARQUES FOR 2023
Datsun/Nissan, Honda, Mazda and Toyota
Featured marque entries will receive a $50 discount
The 2023 Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races & Reunion will provide two full days of racing on the Put-In-Bay Airport as well as a full day of pre-racing events preceding the race days.
Much more than just a VINTAGE RACE; the Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races and Reunion also welcomes owner-drivers of non-racing, vintage sports cars of types similar to the race cars.
These "street cars" participate in all the various events and activities, except for the actual races.
Beginning with a small event in 2009, the Put-in-Bay Road Races Reunion celebrates sports car races that were held on the streets of the town of Put-in-Bay on Ohio’s South Bass Island from 1952 to 1959 and in 1963. The three-day reunion engages racers and non-racers alike in an event that reaches back in time to capture the history and re-create the atmosphere of sports car racing of that era in a uniquely beautiful setting. Book-ended around two days of Vintage sports car racing at the island’s airport, is a balanced mix of events honoring the island’s racing history, a few social gatherings, a car show, original course controlled laps and airport-track lapping, self conducted island rally, rocker cover races and plenty of unstructured time as well.
Put-in-Bay is a nostalgic island enclave and a short ferry ride off the shore of Lake Erie near Sandusky, Ohio. A summer resort community little changed from the ‘50s, it is one of the very few places in North America where post-war sports cars raced through towns and countryside on public roads and where those roads exist today virtually unchanged.
Datsun/Nissan, Honda, Mazda and Toyota entrants build 1990 and prior will be eligible for a “featured marque” discount and join the traditional Put-in-Bay race groups generally comprising 1973 and earlier cars. From First-Generation Mazda Miatas and rotary powered RX7 cars through Toyota MR2 coupes, newer vehicles and their drivers will now be able to share in “the Holy Grail of Vintage Racing” on South Bass Island.
HOW TO ENTER
CLICK HERE FOR >>> 2023 PAPER MAIL-IN Entry Form.pdf
FOR On-line entry, CLICK BELOW at REGISTER NOW
NOTE: We PREFER that you enter by mail using a check.
MSReg charges us 6% and those fees add up quickly. Please use this if you intend to pay with a check.
HOWEVER, we certainly welcome credit card entries using MSReg of course!!
CLICK HERE FOR >>> Put-In-Bay Road Race Heritage Society Website
Provisional Overview of Events ~ What to Expect
Sunday, September 17 - Weekly Island "Antique" Car Parade (1:30 pm).
Monday, September 18 - Load-in to paddocks, Registration, Tech Inspection (1 - 5 pm).
Tuesday, September 19 –Load-in to paddocks, Registration, Tech Inspection, All-Entrants Meeting (Island Rules of Engagement), Entrants Car Show, Laps of Original Put-in-Bay Race Course, History Recollections Roundtable, Wine & Cheese Welcome Party.
Wednesday, September 20 - Driver's "School", Racing/Exhibition Driver's Meeting, Racing orientation and practice sessions commence at 9 am, Ladies Luncheon, Rocker Cover races at the Goat Soup & Whiskey Tavern. Following the Rocker Cover races will be the Event Buffet Dinner at the Goat, with the announcement of the 2023 Paul Henry Award.
Thursday, September 21- Race Day 2 at the Put-in-Bay airport. Featuring qualifying races in the morning, track "Lunch Lapping" for Street Car participants, followed by Feature Races and the Put-In-Bay Cup race with the winner being crowned "King of the Rock" 2023!!!
WHO IS PAUL HENRY ??
Paul Henry attended the first “Put-in-Bay Road Races Reunion” in 2009 and immediately fell in love with the event and the founders’ vision. Paul created our first website and contributed many hours of his time supporting the event until his untimely passing in 2011. Paul was the son of original PIB racer Chuck Henry, who’s MGTC (shown here with Paul at the wheel) is still in the Henry family and today is lovingly maintained by Paul’s brother Kit Henry. Since 2012, the event’s “Paul Henry Award” has been presented more or less annually in Paul’s memory to the participant(s) deemed best demonstrating Paul’s dedication to and enthusiasm for this event and what it stands for.
SPONSORS
CLICK IMAGE FOR FERRY DETAILS
THE MILLER FERRIES CAN ACCOMMODATE ANY SIZE RIG OR HAULER
CLICK HERE >>>> MILLER FERRY...World's Greatest!!
CLICK HERE FOR >>>...2023 Race Result Links..
CLICK HERE FOR >>> 2022 Race Result Links
CLICK HERE FOR >>> CURRENT ENTRY LIST
HERE IS A SHORT VIDEO FILMED AT "CEMETERY TURN" IN 1958
CLICK HERE for Printable Track Map (Thanks to Bob Kansa)
All attendees who arrive by 1 pm Sunday September 17 are encouraged to participate in the Sunday Island Car Parade. It is free and is a good way to get a preview of the island and it always ends at a picnic or gathering of some sort.
The organizers recommend that all potential participants and spectators read Carl Goodwin's excellent book that chronicles the early races at Put in Bay.
You can order the book directly from this link. ORDER HERE
It's $35 plus shipping.
You can also call Carl @ (719) 229-7245, (440) 557-5089 or Sally Carroll @ (440) 338-4202.
Carl will individually sign each book. If you already have the book, bring it with you for Carl to sign!
Event requirements
Note: Since 2019 we have been accepting V-8 and other larger than 3.0L cars on a case by case basis. These cars are given closer scrutiny for inappropriate details and over preparation...Again, don't be afraid to ask.
While the Put-in-Bay Road Race Reunion celebrates the sports car racing that took place on South Bass Island, we always have a large contingent of street car participants. The street car categories participate in all the activities except the actual wheel-to-wheel racing, at a reduced entry fee. Street cars are accepted on a case by case basis and should be makes and models that embrace the spirit of racing at Put-in-Bay.
There are two Street Car Categories; Heritage: pre ~ 1964 and similar continuation models Guest: 1964 ~ 1979 and similar continuation cars.
POST 1979 Street Cars: Entrants unknown to the organizers may be placed on a WAIT LIST until details are assessed and a confirmation is granted.
All Eligibility questions should be directed to: Kurt Byrnes (412) 400-9156 kurt.byrnes@gmail.com
Preparation and Licensing requirements for Race Cars and drivers.
(RCIS) Basic car information REQUIRED for all first time PIB racers.
Ladies Luncheon A special gathering and luncheon for all the ladies (and others) who support the Road Race Reunion and Sports Car Races. Specific details will be posted at a later date. Last year's luncheon was held at Joe's Bar and hosted by Noreen Hahn and crew.
Rocker cover races; a fun event with lies, drinking and some semi-serious technology on display.
CLICK HERE FOR >>> Rocker Cover Races Video
courtesy of Steve Nemec
Rocker Cover Trophy presented br Steven Nemec
The Put in Bay Sports Car Races could never happen without the dedicated folks of Lake Erie Communications and their associates. LEC is well known as the go to folks when an SCCA race is going on. We see their people at races from Mid-Ohio to Daytona and Sebring where they hold court almost every weekend during racin' season. We are very honored that they have become a signature part of the Put in Bay races.
PADDOCK MAP (Aerial View)
Paddocks will be assigned as you arrive on the island, on a first come / first served basis. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences. Folks wishing to paddock together can have a representative save nearby spaces.
Miller Boat Line Ferry from Catawba to Put-In-Bay This is how you get there! They can handle all size rigs up to 80'.
Miller Boat Line in the 'fifties!
CLICK HERE FOR >>> Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce General island information and lodging tips.
CLICK HERE FOR >>> Put-In-Bay Lodging Non-judgmental list of places to stay. You can camp at the State Park or stay in anything from a nice B&B, modern hotel, cottage in the woods or a mom and pop cabin, to sleeping on the beach near the paddock!
CLICK HERE FOR >>> 2023 Island Guide Includes lodging suggestions.
CLICK HERE FOR >>> CLICK HERE to contact PUT IN BAY LODGING COORDINATOR ~ NOREEN HAHN if you need help with lodging questions or assistance
VICTORY STATION HOTEL
Contact Information:
Manley Ford (734) 502-2435 ~ Overall Event Coordinator, Media Relations, Advertising, Program Editor.
Rich Hahn (216) 226-2323 ~ Island Liason, Car Show, Event Coordination.
Chris/Adrienne Wilson (616) 915-1853 ~ Registration, Hospitality.
Kurt Byrnes (412) 400-9156 ~ Eligibility, Technical Information. kurt.byrnes@gmail.com
NOTE: Click REGISTER NOW to see registration options. When the form asks for your "Member Number" just click past it.
