Editor’s note: This is the final in a five-day series featuring teams fielding Vintage Kart Mini Racers in the second annual Scottsdale Grand Prix, to be held November 4-6 on the streets of Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.
The streets of downtown Scottsdale will be transformed November 4-6 into a modern Great Gatsby-inspired version of the roaring ‘20s as Vintage Mini Races hit the streets in the second annual Grand Prix of Scottsdale.
The three-day event begins Friday evening with a display of the cars in team livery during the “Gatsby Under the Stars Gala.” The gala takes place on the Marshall Way Bridge and benefits Southwest Human Development, one of the racing weekend’s charity partners.
Gatsby lawn parties take place Saturday and Sunday with attendees encouraged to dress in ‘20s-era attire as they sample local beer, wines, and food while enjoying music from the era, choreographed dance performances, and a special cigar bar with club seating.
Also Saturday is the Concours d’ Kids for children to compete in the Grand Prixni, a mini driving experience as well as various crafts and games.
The Grand Prix of Scottsdale officially begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday, following the 2016 Vintage Victory Trophy presentation during the trackside Dine and Drive breakfast. Radio personality Dave Pratt will be master of ceremonies and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane is the pace car passenger for the main event.
Race winner gets the Vintage Victory trophy while second- and third-place finishing teams also getr awards, as does the person who posts the best individual lap.
The half-mile course begins near the bridge at the Scottsdale Waterfront and takes racers past local landmarks along Goldwater and across 5th avenue before completing the lap.
Restaurants and local businesses along the course are slated to offer race-day specials and multiple viewing areas are accessible along the course and near pit row at no cost.
Each team competing in the Grand Prix of Scottsdale may have up to six drivers in a Vintage Kart Company’s Arizona-built Vintage Mini Racer, which was inspired by cyclecars of the 1920s. Each mini racer features a 200cc engine capable of 30–35 miles per hour.
Teams competing in the 2016 Grand Prix of Scottsdale include:
AEI Fabrication, Car No. 11AEI Fab is the precision metal fabricator that laser cuts, bends and forms all parts and assembles the actual Vintage Kart Company 'Vintage Mini Racers' driven in the Grand Prix of Scottsdale. Based in Mesa, AEI Fab specializes in cost-saving high-speed, precision laser cutting combined with efficient, full-service metal fabrication capabilities to create a cost-effective, turn-key solution for clientele in a wide range of industry sectors. AEI Fab counts many of the Fortune 2000 among its customers in industries including warehousing, trucking, shipping, logistics, semiconductor, solar and wind energy, construction, telecommunication, automotive and appliances. The company also proudly serves those that serve our country, calling the U.S. Air Force and NASA clients as well. AEI is known industry-wide for working closely with clientele throughout the entire product development and production process to ensure the utmost in cost-efficiencies and customer satisfaction. The AEI Fab teams mantra is: "What Can We Fab For You?"
