by Bernard Martin

We lost our dear friend Tom on September 6, 2024. Thomas J. Frasca was an influential figure not only in the automotive and motorsports world but also in his personal and professional life.

His passion for cars, particularly Ferraris, and his deep involvement with the North American Racing Team (NART) made him a highly respected member of the Ferrari community.

Tom was instrumental in founding the Scuderia Ferrari Club of America and served with NART from 1971 to 1994, working closely with Luigi Chinetti to promote Ferrari racing in North America.

Thomas J. Frasca was born on June 5, 1951, in Bronx, NY. He graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in White Plains, NY, in 1970. Thomas continued his education at Westchester Community College, where he made history as the first registered respiratory therapist in New York State. In 1976, he met the love of his life, Geraldine Wilson, at White Plains Hospital, and they married on May 29 of that year. In 1980, the couple moved from Norwalk, CT, to Brewster, NY, where they proudly raised their family.

Tom had a distinguished career, initially serving as a Hospital Administrator at Greenwich Hospital. He later pursued his Master’s degree in business at Sacred Heart University and became a successful Real Estate Broker for Century 21 in Brewster.

Tom’s contributions to the Cortile and the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) are unforgettable. He was one of our most distinguished Cortile Cup judges until his health issues arose.   Without his efforts, the 2023 Ferrari Marque of the Year celebration at the PVGP would not have been possible. He played a key role in securing the participation of Ferraris from Larry Auriana’s collection and was the catalyst for the involvement of Luigi Chinetti Jr., visiting the PVGP for the first time and returning each share to share hsi stories and anecdotes.  . Unfortunately, due to illness, Tom could not attend the event the 2023 event in  person, but his influence was felt throughout the celebration.

His love for Alfa Romeos was also well known, where his signature humor on Alfa forums—“The older I get... the faster I was”—brought smiles to many. As someone who lived with a vibrant passion for motorsports, Tom’s legacy extends beyond the cars he worked on; it lives in the community he helped build, the friendships he fostered, and the events he made possible.

Wayne Long, who was instrumental in bringing Tom to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix posted his thoughts on Facebook "We love you and we will miss you! I hope you are getting up to speed with Mr. Chinetti in heaven as we speak. Rest in peace my dear friend!"

Personally, I will truly miss his calls to me in the afternoon, evening or weekends just to catch up on things.  Passing along anecdotes about cars and politics.  Our conversations sometimes went on for hours and I always left with a warm feeling in my heart to have met such and enjoyable human being. 

Though he passed away recently, his memory will continue to drive the spirit of the Cortile and the PVGP, reminding us all of the significant role he played in keeping the legacy of Ferrari and NART alive in the United States​.

by Bernard Martin and Chat GBT

​Luigi Chinetti Sr. played a significant role in Ferrari’s early success in America. He was appointed as the official importer of Ferrari cars to the United States in the late 1940s, and his passion for the brand and belief in the potential of American drivers and teams led him to establish the North American Racing Team (NART) in 1958.

NART was the only American team to ever compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it was involved in other international motorsports events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona. NART’s partnership with Ferrari was essential in promoting Ferrari in the American market, and it had a lasting impact on the sport.

NART’s most famous achievement was winning the overall victory at Le Mans in 1965 with a Ferrari 250LM driven by Jochen Rindt, Masten Gregory, and Ed Hugus. Coincidentally, Ed Hugus was born in Pittsburgh and raced at LeMans 10 times and later opened a Pittsburgh auto dealer that built the first three Shelby Cobras. He also helped establish the Steel Cities Region of the SCCA. The team also won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1968 and 1970, and its drivers included notable names such as Pedro Rodríguez, Mario Andretti, and Phil Hill.

The 2023 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix will showcase the rich history and legacy of Ferrari and N.A.R.T. Many chapter members of the Ferrari Club of America from throughout North America have already committed to congregating in Pittsburgh for Tifosi-centered events.  The events are expected to attract a vast number of motorsport enthusiasts and will feature a wide range of activities, including car shows, races, and exhibitions.

Click this link to see all of the 2023 Events for Ferrari 

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (#PVGP) is is very excited that Ferrari and N.A.R.T. - North American Racing Team, will be honored as Marque of the Year at the 2023 motorsports festival. The two entities have a rich and fascinating history inextricably intertwined to Pennsylvania, and their association has led to some of the most memorable moments in the world of motorsports. 

Several Ferrari Clubs already have events planned to attend the PVGP Motorsports Festival Events:

• FCA Western Pa - The local club will be participating in all 10 days of motorsports events
• FCA Ohio - This group was really the impetus of not only making Ferrari the 2023 Proiettore Macchina for the Cortile Italian Show, but because of the huge pre turnout motivated the PVGP to select Ferrari as the Featured Marque for 2023.
• FCA Penn Jersey - There is a caravan coming form NY-NJ- Eastern PA
• FCA Mid Atlantic - We have been told there is a group heading this way and has coordinated with Barry Cross from Penn Jersey. 
• FCA Empire State - We have  been told that there is a group from New York and New England coming, but I don't have details yet.
• FCA Southeast - When I was at Hilton Head judging I was approached by several from this area that said they were planning a drive.

Ferrari Clubs are participating in the following  events:

Wednesday, July 19, 5-9 PM - Tune-Up @ SouthSide Works:  The SouthSide Works is Pittsburgh’s premier city lifestyle center. Uniquely positioned on the Monongahela riverfront and nestled in Pittsburgh’s historic and bustling Southside neighborhood on the site of the former J&L Steel Works. Hundreds of cars will gather for a fabulous car show including race cars, exotics, antiques and show cars for this exciting street festival in the streets surrounding SHOP 412 and the SouthSide Works Town Square. Cost is $50 per car and includes two drinks.

Thursday, July 20, 6:30-11 PM – Passport to Elegance Hanger Party: An exclusive Hangar Party at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.  The party will be Ferrari themed as we anticipate a large contingent of Ferrari owners coming into town to celebrate the Marque of 2023. Get immersed in the evolution and examples of the rare and interesting automotive and air transportation throughout this period in a festive and lavish atmosphere featuring scrumptious passed hors devours, top notch strolling food stations and two top-shelf open bars. The evening will also include live music, silent and live auctions and other surprises you won’t want to miss. Cost $395 per person includes premium appetizers and open bar.

Friday, July 21, 6-9 PM– Ferrari Marque of the Year Dinner Reception at the Pittsburgh Golf Club. Please join Ferrari Club members, honored guests and Grand Prix dignitaries for a relaxing evening at the Historic Pittsburgh Golf Club. A strolling dinner and cash bar accompanied by some live entertainment while you enjoy the evening inside the clubhouse and a preview of the attractions at the Cortile. Car show participants for the evening will also get their dash card required for entrance for the weekend and receive expedited entry both Saturday and Sunday. $65 per person

Saturday & Sunday, July 22-23,  9AM-5PM - Cortile / Ferrari Marque of the Year Weekend -  The “Cortile della Corsa” is the Italian Car Show at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. It translates into the "Courtyard of Racing" , which is an appropriate name for our display of fine Italian macchina on the 18th hole of the Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park.  As the 2023 Marque of the Year, Ferrari's have a special show area. Enjoy the entire weekend at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix overlooking the car shows on the Schenley Park Golf Course and the vintage races through the city streets.
$150 Entry includes:

• Weekend parking for your car in the Cortile on the golf course
• Cortile t-shirt, car decal, PVGP poster and PVGP color race program
• Lunch for two in the Pittsburgh Golf Club on Saturday, July 22
• Dashcard with a unique Bio of your car
• Lanyard Badges – Required for admission to the Clubhouse
• "Wine on 9" -  VIP Admission at the Westinghouse Pond at Turn 9 to watch the races
• Additional Saturday lunches can be purchased for $45 each

You can get more details about the individual events by clicking the links in the event name above.  If you would like to register for the events above please use the button link below.  To save time, be sure to set up your profile and book all of your registrations in one sitting.  Just add items to you cart and continue shopping.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh - Cranberry Twp, PA is the host hotel for Ferrari Clubs.  Located at the intersection of 1-79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, close to Route 19, we’re an accessible choice for neighboring states or conferences.

​The Passport to Elegance Hanger Party is about 25 minutes North while Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in Schenley Park is about 25 minutes South.  You will enjoy returning to the welcoming indoor bar and restaurant after your day at #PVGP events

Pittsburgh, PA. - Jason Moka has been named as the new Chief Judge of the Cortile Cup at the Cortile Italian Car Show that is held each July during the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. 
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Jason Moka has been in the automotive industry for over 10 years in sales management and marketing. He is the Marketing Director for the Rohrich Automotive Group and is the creator of the Bentley Auto Show that benefits the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Charities.  Founded in 2019, the Annual Car Show has been hosted by Jason and his  team at Pittsburgh Bentley and Maserati of Pittsburgh in Wexford, PA. This fabulous event marks the end of the PVGP Summer Car Show events. 

In addition to his creation of the show at Rohrich, Jason has been an avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and the Cortile for more than a decade .  Being an enthusiast himself, Jason had the itch to travel to other shows and venture into the world of judging.  He is now a member of several auto clubs in the area and is active in planning events for the PVGP.  According to Jason, "I'm honored to now be entrusted to be the Chief Judge for the Cortile at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix."  Jason's personal collection includes a 1994 Ferrari 349 Spider, a 1989 Lamborghini Countach and a 1998 Mercedes SL600 Sport. 

The inception of the Cortile Cup started in 2011 at the recommendation of Steve Barney.  Steve was a Senior Judge at the Hilton Head Concours and suggested to Wayne Long that an award for the best cars at the Cortile would add excitement to the event. Wayne Long, the owner of Mid-Atlantic Sports Cars put together awards for the Cortile Cup that summer and has done so every year since.

According to Wayne, "After starting the Cortile Cup nearly ten years ago it seemed like is was good time to pass the baton to a new steward of the event. Jason Moka and Maserati of Pittsburgh will be taking the award program forward and I feel it is in very good hands!" 

"Jason has been taking a more active role over the past few years in both recruiting cars and providing ideas and insights as well as promoting the Cortile to a larger audience.  He's helped raise the bar for the exceptional level of cars that have been on our display field these past few years. He's the next generation of leadership within our car community and I can't think of a better person to take the reigns and add to the Provenance of the event that Wayne and his group of judges set down the foundation." said Bernard Martin, the Founder and Managing Director of the Cortile.

The “Cortile Cup” is awarded to the most significant or exciting Italian car on display during Saturday’s viewing. In addition to the Cortile Cup Overall Winner award, awards are given for the best-in-class for the following marques: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Maserati, Lamborghini,  and an Italian specialty car.