ProVee: What is the Valvoline ProVee Series?

The Valvoline ProVee Series, presented by ADPAC and Low-E Insulation, began rather modestly in 1990 when Valvoline Oil sponsored a single-event pilot race of Formula Vees at Heartland Park Topeka (KS). Shortly thereafter, ProVee Promotions was formed to administer the Valvoline ProVee series, which has run at least five races each year since 1991, with Valvoline remaining as a major series sponsor ever since that first race in 1990.

Formula Vee (FV) is a class of open wheel racecars based on the dimensions and running gear of the 1961-65 Volkswagen Beetle. The racecar uses essentially a stock VW transmission and wheels, with slightly modified front suspensions and brakes. The Vee's 1200cc air-cooled engine will max out at approximately 55-60 horsepower.

A Formula Vee has low frontal area and a minimum weight of 1025 pounds -- car and driver. It has excellent acceleration and top speed (approximately 125 miles per hour) along with superior cornering power.

Prohibiting the use of wings promotes drafting and sophisticated tactics, giving the fans plenty of nose-to-tail and wheel-to-wheel racing excitement. Formula Vee is unique among classes because its components and specifications are restrictive so as to emphasize driver ability rather than design and preparation of the car.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) adopted Formula Vee as a racing class in 1963. The Vee has achieved worldwide popularity with a high level of participation on five continents. The ProVee racecar must comply with the General Competition Rules of SCCA, just like any other SCCA Formula Vee.

Most ProVee races are conducted as part of SCCA club races on a road course. In addition, we have also run as a support group for NASCAR Winston Cup and Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, IMSA, WSC, and the American LeMans Series, on both road courses and short ovals.

A hallmark of the Valvoline ProVee Series is the intensity and quality of the competition, which emphasizes the driver's skill. Included among past series champions are numerous SCCA divisional and national (Runoffs) champions and other podium finishers. With this much talent, parity, and competition, it's no wonder that until 1997, no ProVee driver had won more than one race in a single season.

The drivers characterize the spirit of camaraderie and family that helped build motorsports into what it is today. While fiercely competitive on the track, Vee drivers pride themselves on helping one another in the paddock. At any ProVee race, you'll find drivers helping each other with tips, ideas, spare parts, and their time in whatever manner is needed to make the series better.

The ProVee series provides top-notch FV drivers from around the country the chance to showcase their skills and run for the fun of it, along with a modest cash prize. Our philosophy regarding prize money has always been to spread it as deeply as possible throughout the field. In the nine-year history of the ProVee Series, we usually have 25-30 cars at each event, assuring everyone of someone to race with.

The Valvoline ProVee Series, presented by ADPAC and Low-E Insulation, is America's most exciting open-wheel grassroots motorsports competition. We celebrate our 10th anniversary this season by introducing a two-division format, with money paid for each race and a championship finale. Our Eastern Division began January 15-16 at Moroso (FL); we will be at Summit Point (WV), April 15-16; and then Indianapolis Raceway Park, July 8-9. The Western Division kicks off March 4-5 in Phoenix; goes to Pueblo (CO), April 15-16; and winds up at Abilene (TX), May 6-7. The season ending, double-points bonus race will be August 5-6 at St. Louis Gateway International Raceway.

This series has become the race to see wherever they run, whether it's part of SCCA club racing or a professional event. The ProVee Series is nothing less than open-wheeled racing at its best. Action packed ... drafting a must ... and close wheel to wheel competition makes the ProVee series an absolutely awesome sight!

Randy Fisher <sccacrip@swbell.net>