Across the United States, numerous communities often use special events to help promote economic development and increase tourism. A motorsports event is one that often works, and the City of Coatesville, which is located between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has embraced that concept with their Coatesville Invitational Grand Prix. Now in its seventh edition, they’ve created a three-day event (September 14 – 16, 2023) that is their way of saying thank you to the investors, shareholders, and most importantly, the residents for their efforts in helping to revitalize their city. Profits generated from the Grand Prix help fund many of the city’s quality of life initiatives, and the Coatesville’s Parks & Recreation department.
The event started on Thursday evening with The PRIXview Party at Brooklawn, one of Chester County’s most storied historical estates. On Friday part of the main strip through town was closed off for a few hours that hosted a cruise-in event that featured a variety of vintage and classic cars, trucks and hot rods. Saturday was the culmination of the event with a car show and the Grand Prix, which took place on the temporary two-mile circuit utilizing numerous chicanes made up from straw bales that were laid out through the city’s streets. A variety of different areas were also set up that catered to spectators of all ages, with a children’s bounce house play area, a beer garden and food truck area, and soapbox racing that involved the local youth.
This year there were over seventy entrants registered to compete, with three groups for cars and two for motorcycles. These groups were broken down by age and engine displacement, with each one allotted two 30-minute sessions of track time. All the cars and bikes were lined up at the entrance to the track and fully accessible to all the spectators. As with any motorsports event, mishaps around the track can cause delays, and as a result organizers combined both motorcycle groups together to help maintain the event schedule.
No dates have been set in stone for the 8th edition of the Coatesville Invitational Grand Prix, but all indications point to another mid-September weekend for the 2024 event.
David Jacob’s 1929 Ford Model A roadster started as a frame and firewall. He’s spent five years putting it together and often drag races it, and will also use it as a dirt track car.Photo: John Machaquiero
Gary and Sharon Hunter had their 1974 MG Midget at the event with Gary at the wheel. Sharon notes that if the weather is clear, it gets used as a daily driver.Photo: John Machaquiero
Lewis Leonard brought his 1937 Indian Sport Scout all the way from South Daytona, FL to run at the Grand Prix. Completely built by him for racing, this is his spare bike.Photo: John Machaquiero
Inspired by the Penske Trans Am Camaro’s, Lou Jasper’s 1969 Camaro RS is powered by a stroked 400 cu.in. small block, Tremec T56 Magnum, and a heavily modified suspension.Photo: John Machaquiero
The husband-and-wife duo of Sam and Heather Wiggin came from New Boston, NH with their sidecar-equipped 1971 BMW 750 to participate in the event. This was their second outing.Photo: John Machaquiero
Andy Vitek’s 1965 Corvette has been a race car since 1966. It has an extensive competition history in the SCCA Trans Am series. It is powered by a 327 Chevy small-block.Photo: John Machaquiero
This was Dave Hennig’s first outing with his 1947 Harley Davidson at a place that required him to make turns at speed. His bike is set up for 1/8 mile drag racing.Photo: John Machaquiero
Built as a Boss 302 tribute, James Frank’s 1969 Mustang Fastback has been assembled as a track-ready driver that was inspired by the Trans Am cars of the late 1960s.Photo: John Machaquiero
Eliot Bensel’s 1970 Plymouth AAR ’Cuda is a numbers-matching restoration that he’s not afraid of driving at speed. Under the hood is a 340 six-barrel backed by an A833 4-speed.Photo: John Machaquiero
Photo: John Machaquiero
