Winners. Racing, like any sport, places emphasis on winning. Club racing and enthusiast track events, however, showcase more than Victory Lane. The focus on these events is sharing the experience of driving and improving the road skills to advance that experience. The phrase “everyone is a winner” is almost tailored to club races and gatherings. Yes, winning is fun and all that but experiencing your car and skill in that setting is also quite exhilarating. For many, winning is not the reason or the goal. Having a performance based automobile and being able to experience the car for what it was designed for is the focus. Putting amateur and professional drivers and their vehicles in the same space creates a dynamic display of design, color and speed.

For a cool October weekend, SpeedTour set the stage for these shared automotive experiences. This event is a vintage car show within a varied range of racing. The “winners” here are not only the owners and drivers but the fans that are there to see these fabulous cars in action.

Virginia International Raceway has hosted this event (and the Heacock Classic before) for several seasons. The setting is as much of a vintage beauty as the classic cars that are in the show. For racing fans, the Trans AM series offers a pure spectacle of American muscle and speed. The F4, FR America and the International GT are right there for speed but also throw world class variety in the mix. Let’s be real… F1 at COTA is a bit pricey and IndyCar doesn’t get that close to us here in Virginia but the SpeedTour gives us a very close view with the F4 and FR America! It is an authentic open wheel race experience in a beautiful setting.

Of course, a big part of the SpeedTour event is the SportsCar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) car show and vintage class racing. Ford GTs on track with an Aston Martin DB6, BMW 2002, split window ‘Vette and any number of MGs, Austin-Healeys and Sprites. Watching a classic Cobra race side by side with a vintage “whale tail” Porsche is almost as cool for the enthusiast fan as it is for the owner driver. As fans we get to enjoy these cars without that heavy maintenance price tag! It is a win-win for everyone!

Racing results can be found at the series websites: SVRA | Trans-Am | International GT | F4 US Champ | FR Americas

SpeedTour is a great showcase of Virginia International Raceway and an even better show of the variety of automotive design and progress. A photo gallery of the weekend is below!

Virginia Is For Lovers… That’s how it goes… Country Lovers, Mountain Lovers, Scenery Lovers, Car Lovers… It’s all there with a visit to Virginia International Raceway. The “spectator” event season showcases several events but the real “international” comes into play on IMSA WeatherTech weekend.

It helps to know a little about the racing and who is driving what and leading in the points across the series on track but, honestly, it is not necessary. The variety, speed and close up action offers plenty to keep up with. The weekend is as much a celebration of racing as it is a celebration of the track itself. Is it necessary to know that a VIR win could shake things up for most of the series racing? Do you need to know that Corvette Racing is in striking distance of Lexus or that Aston Martin is chasing down BMW…? Who’s leading in the Lambo Trofeo or MX-5…? Does it matter to the fans who have come to see beautiful sports cars race in a beautiful setting…?

It does to some… People always have favorites. On a hot August weekend they all gathered for the cars, the drivers, the colors and the views.

It is possible that nobody is as proud as CEO Connie Nyholm of the unlikely yet impressive racing showplace that is the current incarnation of Virginia International Raceway. She has been with it from the purchase, update and re-introduction to the racing community around the year 2000. It is nothing short of phenomenal that the track, originally opened in 1957 and shut to the public in the 1970s, is now recognized as a jewel in the schedule of premiere racing series such as IMSA, FIA, GTWC, Moto America, NASA and others. Club racing is popular as ever and VIR is a hot challenge for aspiring drivers. It is determination and a little luck that has brought VIR to the status it has.

For IMSA weekend, the schedule falls later in the season. Points are a premium and the challenge of the course is a true test of drivers and teams. Full results on the races and the points can be found at IMSA online: Click for IMSA results and updates.

The fan experience continues to be expanded at VIR. The brand and performance variety on the track also sets the backdrop for a fan base as diversified as the paddock. The exotics of Lamborghini, Aston Martin or McLaren are mixed with Honda, Hyundai, Ford and Chevy. The cars are the stars and the drivers are open and approachable.

The headline race Saturday afternoon featured the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge running the Virginia Is For Racing Lovers Grand Prix. For the finale on Sunday, The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship raced the Michelin GT Challenge. The VP Prototype/Sports Car Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Mazda MX-5 Cup filled both days with racing from morning to the main event green flag.

New options on food and beverage were available this time around taking pressure off of the little paddock diner. The Pagoda Grill is still there but food trucks have been given space to take some of the demand and expand the dining experience. The Oak Tree Tavern is, of course, also available with a touch of class and excellent dining.

The IMSA season still has Indianapolis and Road Atlanta and points are getting tight in the top spots. For VIR, there is more to come also. The SCCA has a week long series late in September and the VIR SpeedTour comes in October. The SpeedTour in particular is another big variety weekend with GT, TransAm, Open Wheel and Classic / Vintage racing. There is also one of the largest rock music festivals in the country on tap.

Virginia International Raceway is a multi-faceted destination. It is often difficult to explain to race fans who have only visited stadium style oval tracks. It is worth a visit to find it all for yourself.

Photo Gallery – Virginia International Raceway – Saturday August 26

Photo Gallery – Virginia International Raceway – Sunday August 27

There is no doubt that this annual event has grown. It has become a “must attend” weekend for many and the event is known all along the eastern part of the USA. The host location, Virginia International Raceway, is a racing destination for IMSA, GT World Challenge, Trans-Am and more. Driving and car clubs meet, learn and race there. Track training from Kaizen Autosport and Skip Barber operate through here. VIR even hosts a premiere rock and roll festival (Blue Ridge Rock Festival)…

Hyperfest features track action with NASA Mid-Atlantic (National Auto Sport Association) racing through several divisions. NASA is an enthusiast based racing platform with street and specialized classes with advancement and safe racing within similar ranks. It is hands on with emphasis training on safe yet exhilarating racing.

The educational and spectator racing is a core of Hyperfest. However, there is so much more. The drifting showcase is a crowd favorite with big variety and participation. USDrift, based in Virginia, is a sideways driving force in the show with organization and training for novice drivers.

There are off-road rides and challenges. A fast and fun kart course is featured. A car show is featured with host Speed-Trend Society. The racing also includes a bizarre, yet entertaining, “Power Wheels” race featuring kid’s cars, a big hill, gravity and, apparently, water balloons….

Off-track events draw with open ended RC World racing and drifting sponsored and catered by Hobby Town. After hours turned up the sound with live music and a DJ party.

For automotive fans, there is not much that can beat the total facility show that is “Hyperfest”. The variety of show and performance is almost overwhelming. You can take a five minute walk and see sports car racing, drifting, cars on display, shopping, and have a smoothie. A short wait and a shuttle trailer train comes by and can give you a ride to the “Oak Tree” turn and the other paddock for more racing views.

Hyperfest is a “Car Party” for car people and car stuff. It is morning to night speed, spill and sport. But… (There is always a “but”…) this year the event started with a bit of a snag. It is no use glossing over it or ignoring it as a large percentage of fans experienced it…

Getting in was a bit of a pain… Cars were stretched back in a line to the “old church” and holding. It was the highlight of social media as Friday was opening and the focus should have been on the fun. To be fair, the total slam of people arriving was over the top. With that, there is also advance information on ticket sales so being prepared for the volume could have been just a tad better. But, with that, one of the issues at VIR is the way in and out. There is but one. Are there plans to increase access points? VIR is in a spot that has zoning and construction considerations so expanding roads for more access may be a “wishlist” item. For Hyperfest, lessons from 2023 are being taken forward with planning for 2024. For fans, if you can, come in on Thursday and miss the most of the sitting in the car and get the most of the Hyperfest fun! It should also be noted, Saturday traffic was much different as the drive in was straight there. It’s quite likely most were either already in and camping, or went straight in as they already had the armband access.

The “getting in” was the only real snag. There were food trucks on site which greatly expanded the food fare available. (The Pagoda paddock grill is a weak link. The food demand is just too high for this one outlet. Food trucks are a welcome addition when there) Once inside, the schedule of events was non-stop with something for every taste in automotive action. Watch, ride along, participate, shop souvenirs… It’s on at Hyperfest.

*OK… Check your six!!! The sheer volume of personal vehicle traffic is insane. Golf carts are one thing… Add ATVs, motorcycles, mini-bikes, scooters, “hoverboards”, etc… Just be aware of the surroundings. If you bring a “vehicle”, electric or gas, or whatever… You will need to purchase a paddock pass for it. Just keep that in mind and be careful.

We go to a lot of events. NASCAR, short track, dirt track… We find Virginia International Raceway to be a highlight and welcome any opportunity to visit. Hyperfest is a great introduction to VIR and a great weekend of variety that is unmatched. For automotive enthusiasts and fans, it really is a “car party”!

Photo Gallery – Hyperfest 2023 – Virginia International Raceway – May 19-21, 2023

There are days at race tracks that add up in a variety of ways. It is a bit rare, however, for a mid-June weekend to be practically a paved post card. Blue skies and pleasant temperatures that stayed in the “not going to kill you” range. Throw in the naturally scenic views of Virginia International Raceway and some sexy fast and exotic racing variety and you have an epic showcase of speed.

FANATEC GT World Challenge America (powered by AWS) weekend is one of the showcase spectator events at VIR and offers fans a very generous show. The weather was a gift and the track was full and active. It was also a perfect start to the Southern Virginia Motorsports Council three-way ticket of VIR, Virginia Motorsports Park and South Boston Speedway.

The weekend was very much an automotive showcase with international flavor. It’s as much a rolling car show as it is a racing event. The visual of seeing these cars being taken to the edge of their performance with speed and handling can be majestic. Your mind sees what a layman’s concept of physics implies shouldn’t be possible. The color and sheer badge variety is a stunning display for fans of cars and driving.

The weekend brought several series to the track. GT World Challenge, GT and TC, GT4 and an open wheel show with Skip Barber Racing. Multiple classes within the series gave fans a full course of action for each event. Friday had practice sessions. Saturday ran qualifying and round one of weekend races. Sunday ran the second race sessions for all classes. Racing at VIR put rounds 5 and 6 on the books for the 13 round series schedule.

For many fans the results are secondary to seeing these cars being driven at speed. Lamborghini and Ferrari are expected to be fast but are rarely seen on common roads so they, and others, draw attention. However, seeing more common cars such as Honda, Nissan and Hyundai keeping pace with BMW and Porsche is also just as fun and makes racing more identifiable for many fans driving these common badges every day.

SRO/GTWC is racing at premiere road tracks around the Country. Sonoma, Sebring and Road America are on the schedule. Watkins Glen comes up next month. VIR still has IMSA/WeatherTech, SCCA and SVRA events on the calendar so Virginia fans still have plenty of sports car action to look forward to.

Photo Gallery and Results for SRO / GT World Challenge – Saturday. June 18, 2022

GT America – (Race 1)

SRO3 - 1st -  George Kurtz - Crowdstrike Racing - #4 Mercedes AMG GT3 	
SRO3 - 2nd -  Jeff Burton - Zelus Motorsports -  #191 Lamborghini Huracan GT3
SRO3 - 3rd - Jason Harward - Zelus Motorsports - #88 Lamborghini Huracan GT3
GT2 - 1st - CJ Moses - GMG Racing - #58 Audi R8 LMS GT2
GT4 - 1st - Adam Adelson - Premier Racing - #120 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
GT4 - 2nd - Moisey Uretsky - Accelerating Performance - #55 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 
GT4 - 3rd - Jason Bell - GMG Racing - 	#2  Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

TC America – (Race 1)

TCX - 1st - Colin Garrett - Rooster Hall racing - #44 BMW M2 CS (Cup) 
TCX - 2nd - Stephen Cugliari - Accelerating Performance - #57 BMW M2 CS (Cup) 
TCX - 3rd - Lucas Catania - Rigid Speed - #26 BMW M2 CS (Cup)
TC  - 1st - Kevin Boehm - Skip Barber Racing - #9 Honda Civic Type-R 
TC  - 2nd - Jeff Ricca - Genracer / Ricca Autosport - #78 Hyundai Veloster 
TC  - 3rd - Clay Williams - MINI JCW Team - #60 Mini JCW Pro TC
TCA - 1st - Gresham Wagner - TechSport Racing- #21 Subaru BRZ 
TCA - 2nd - Devin Anderson  - TechSport Racing- #22 Subaru BRZ 
TCA - 3rd - Carter Fartuch - Skip Barber Racing - #16 Honda Civic Si

GT World Challenge America – (Race 1)

Pro - 1st - Michele Beretta / Andrea Caldarelli - K-Pax Racing
#1 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 		
Pro - 2nd - Michael Dinan / Robby Foley - Turner Motorsport
#96 BMW M4 GT3
Pro - 3rd - Misha Goikhberg, Jordan Pepper - K-PAX Racing
#3 Lamborghini Huracan GT3
Pro/Am  - 1st - Justin Wetherill / Ryan Dalziel - Triarsi Competizione
#13 Ferrari 488 GT3 	
Pro/Am - 2nd - Charlie Luck / Jan Heylen - Wright Motorsports
#45 Porsche 911 GT3-R 
Pro/Am - 3rd - David Askew / Dirk Muller - DXDT Racing
#63 Mercedes-AMG GT3

Pirelli GT4 America – (Race 1)

Silver - 1st -  Eric Filgueiras / Stevan McAleer – RS1
#18 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS	
Silver - 2nd - Gavin Sanders / Michai Stephens - Conquest Racing/JMF Motorsports
#34 Mercedes-AMG GT4 
Silver - 3rd - Kris Wilson / Cole Ciraulo - Capstone Motorsports
#32 Mercedes-AMG GT4
Pro/Am  - 1st - Tom Capizzi / John Capestro-Dubets - Auto Technic Racing
#52 BMW M4 GT4 
Pro/Am - 2nd - Edgar Lau / Mike Skeen - ARG/Rotek Racing
#124 Ford Mustang GT4 	
Pro/Am  - 3rd - Adam Adelson / Elliott Skeer - Premier Racing
#120 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Am - 1st - Charlie Postins / James Clay – BimmerWorld
#36 BMW M4 GT4 
Am - 2nd - Alain Stad / Seth Thomas – NOLASPORT
#19 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Am - 3rd - Nelson Calle / Juan Martinez – RS1
#83 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS