The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association has announced plans for a new event, the SVRA Open Wheel World Challenge, to take place June 8-11, 2017 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The program will focus on the 50th anniversary of the Formula Ford class, but anticipates as many as 500 vintage racing cars to participate in the event, which takes place the weekend preceding NASCAR’s Brickyard 400.
Open wheel race cars on Indy track“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,” said Tony Parella, president and chief executive of the vintage racing sanctioning body.
“Fifty years of Formula Ford is a big milestone and we take pride in honoring important history at the Speedway” added Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president.
All races on the new program will involve vintage-era open-wheel racers, including Formula One, Formula 5000, Indy cars, Indy Lights, Formula Vee and Formula Junior, as well as Formula Ford.
As most SVRA events, specific race groups will be established by combining cars of similar speed potential.
“This is an opportunity for open-wheel racers from around the world to experience what it is like to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Parcella added.
With the new event scheduled the week before NASCAR arrives at Indy, Parcella noted that it “further leverages the opportunity to bring the racing community together.”
