Publicity & Public Relations at VIR

Virginia International Raceway History 1957-74
I need more info about this subject! - who was PR Director in the 50's and early 60's ?

Typical Public Relations

VIR Press Kit - July 1966 Trans Am
Press clippings- April 1970 SCCA Nationals
PR Activity Summary - October 1972 "Two Flags Over VIR" Regionals/Enduros

Radio - WDVA and WBTM (1330 AM) broadcast some events live

Magazine Articles

Advertisements and Posters

Programs

Articles in Programs

"A Tribute to Walt Hansgen" - April 1966 by Johnny Johnson
"Fun & Games Begin at VIR" part 1 - Part 2- April 1966 by Gordon Warren
"Welcome to Virginia International Raceway" - April 1968
"Formula Vee Race One of VIR's Highlights" - September 1968
"Harry Ingle, North Carolina's New Racing Hero" - Part 2 - Sept 1968 by Pat Borden
"Roger Barr - Bob Nagel - The Battle for the Top" - Part 2 - Sept 1968
"Raleigh Men Design and Build Radical new Race Car" - Part 2 - Sept 1969 by Phil Allen
"Welcome to VIR" - April 1970
"Formula Ford - VIR's Newest Attraction" - Part 2 - April 1970
"Preparation - the Big Difference In Auto Racing" - Part 2 - April 1970
"VIR - Fourteen years of Motor Racing Excellence" - Part 2 - April 1971
"The Race And Where to See It" - April 1971 by William Aldridge
"VIR 1971 - A New Series Is Born" - April 1972 by Ronald Aldridge
"First Taste of Sports Car Racing" - Part2 - April 1973 by Pat Borden
"Sports Car Racing - Southern Style" - Part2 - April 1973 by Sylvia Wilkinson

Misc. Newspaper Articles - author unknown

John Bonitz, Jr. was PR Director for some events in the mid-60's

Sylvia Wilkinson, a noted author, was PR Director in the late 60's

"Virginia International Raceway Event Draws Jennings, Mernone" - ?/67 Daily Tar Heel
Durham Racer Entered in VIR Run Next Week" - 10/22/67 Durham Morning Herald
"UNC Student Getting Ready For VIR Races" - 10/27/67 Durham Morning Herald
"125 Cars Compete In Races At VIR" - 10/27/67 Durham Morning Herald
"Sports Car Racing - Southern Style" - Part2 - Raleigh News & Observer
"Practice, Qualifying Runs Scheduled Saturday At VIR" - 4/19/68 Durham Morning Herald

Margot Wilkinson, Sylvia's sister, handled PR for several races in the 70's

Press releases, radio spot, article

Pat Borden handled some PR duties in the late 60's and 70's

"Harry Ingle, North Carolina's New Racing Hero" - Part 2 - Sept 1968 program
"First Taste of Sports Car Racing" - Part2 - April 1973 program

Phil Allen became PR Director in 1970.

Public Relations Duties Change"
"Raleigh Men Design and Build Radical new Race Car" - Part 2 - Sept 1969 program
"Gregg/Haywood Take IMSA GT" - Competition Press & Autoweek 5/8/71

Excellent book from Bill King - Click Here for ordering info

Available from Arcadia Publishing or Amazon.com
- a 128 page photo-history book about VIR 1957-74
- (by Chris Holaday, Nick England, and Phil Allen)

(Click here for a list of corrections - hey, we aren't perfect!)

Please send me e-mail with any additional info on this or any other VIR history subject

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