Classic cars and motorcycles will not be running on the streets of Coatesville in 2024 as organizers of the Coatesville Grand Prix work to manage growth of the event.
The City of Coatesville announced the hiatus Monday of the Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix (CIVGP) as organizers seek to reimagine Chester County’s premiere vintage car and motorcycle exhibition that attracts more than 5,000 visitors from the tri-state area.
“This is a case of being the fortunate beneficiaries of our own success,” said Coatesville City Manager James Logan. “What started out as a showcase for the City of Coatesville’s diversity and economic revitalization efforts has turned into a multi-county event that has grown exponentially. We’re announcing the hiatus of the Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix in 2024, so we can return in 2025 with an event that further improves management of our sizable crowds, expenses, safety requirements and other key aspects.”
Organizers note that since CIVGP began seven years ago, more and more drivers have signed up for the Saturday morning driving event, which provides a two-mile course for 60 vintage cars and 30 vintage motorcycles to traverse through the city streets of Coatesville. Vintage cars and motorcycles that passed a safety and technical inspection were eligible to run untimed lapping sessions by class, with a staggered start, in a demonstration of driver skills and the capabilities of the historic vehicles.
Event organizers say CIVGP will return with a restructured format that focuses more on allowing crowds to directly interact with the vintage vehicles and their drivers, capitalizing on the popularity of CIVGP’s Friday Evening Cruise-in, which features vintage cars, trucks and special interest vehicles including licensed hot rods and restored cars that the public is invited to park for spectators. Last year’s launch of the Auto/Moto Show was also enormously popular, allowing spectators to enjoy food trucks, vendors, downtown restaurants, a beer and wine garden, entertainment and a soapbox derby and fun for children.
“Increasingly, visitors are valuing these new opportunities to directly interact with the classic cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s through the early 1980s, and we are excited to reimagine the experience while continuing to provide this remarkable event that supports Coatesville’s Parks & Recreation and Quality of Life initiatives,” said Logan. “Planning is underway now!”
CIVGP would not have become one of the region’s most anticipated events without generous support, and it will continue to rely on its founders and sponsors to remain important partners in the restructuring efforts. 2023 lead sponsors of the Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix included Jeff D’Ambrosio Auto Group, the Coatesville Youth Initiative (made possible by Jennifer and Bob McNeil), Brian Hoskins Ford, JGM USA, and Cleveland-Cliffs.
For updates, visit coatesvillegrandprix.com or email info@coatesvillegrandprix.com.
5,000 people is not a lot of people.