Put-in-Bay Vintage Sports Car Races 2025: A Winning Tradition Continues

The 2025 Put-in-Bay Vintage Sports Car Races, held September 16–18, once again brought speed, history, and community spirit to South Bass Island. With perfect late-summer weather, nearly 140 entrants from 20 states and Ontario transformed the island into a celebration of classic sports cars, camaraderie, and competition.

This year’s featured marques highlighted two rare and beloved British makes: the nimble Mini-Coopers and the seldom-seen Elva sports and race cars. Both drew plenty of admiration during the week’s festivities.

Classic Cars and Community

The event kicked off Tuesday afternoon with the traditional car show at Heineman’s Winery. Racing and non-racing entrants lined up beside a collection of island-based cars, giving visitors and locals a chance to admire the diverse lineup. Entrants cast votes for their favorites, and following the show, the cars took to the island streets for a police-escorted lap of the historic 1950s road course.

Among the popular favorites in this year’s show were islanders Nan Bur with her MGTD and Dianne Smith with her Jaguar XKE—both receiving enthusiastic recognition.

Racing at the Airport

As in recent years, the Put-in-Bay Airport served as the racing venue. Transformed into a ten-turn, haybale-lined, 1.13-mile course, it hosted three main race groups along with a spirited Exhibition class. For two days, the sound of revving engines echoed across the island.

Wednesday evening brought another beloved tradition: the Rocker Cover Races at the Goat Soup & Whiskey. Modeled after a Pinewood Derby but built from automotive engine parts, the quirky competition never fails to delight. Dayton’s Jim Steck claimed yet another victory in the creative contest.

The Put-in-Bay Cup

The event concluded with the prestigious “Put-in-Bay Cup” on Thursday. Jeffrey Sterling of Peninsula, OH, captured the overall win in his 1990 BMW 325i. Andrew Doll of Dublin, OH, earned second in his 1970 Datsun 240Z, while Rod Pierce of Radnor, OH, rounded out the podium with a third-place finish in his 1967 Triumph Spitfire.

More Than Just Racing

While the competition draws the crowds, it’s the atmosphere that keeps participants returning. As one longtime racer put it: “It’s like the organizers throw a three-day party and a race breaks out.”

Plans for the 2026 Put-in-Bay Vintage Sports Car Races will be announced early next year on the event’s website at pibroadrace.com and Facebook page.

Photos courtesy of John Rees, putinbayphotos.com.