About Us

About SOVREN

Society of Vintage Racing ENthusiasts (SOVREN) is an organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and competition of vintage production and purpose-built sports cars on Pacific Northwest road racing circuits. SOVREN defines vintage cars as production cars 25 years or older and certain purpose-built race and replica cars of interest. These cars are prepared in accordance with the rules and classes defined in the Membership Handbook. Rules and Classes defined by other member clubs of the VMC may also be used in preparing and racing cars with SOVREN. Vintage racing is an amateur sport where competition is meant to be friendly, fun, fast, and safe.

SOVREN, as a member of the VMC (Vintage Motorsports Council), a national group composed of the many different clubs and groups that promote vintage racing throughout the U.S. and Canada, we share their goal to “promote the preservation of these cars in a vintage racing format which emphasizes driver safety and etiquette.”  To carry out this goal SOVREN offers no prizes or recognition of finishing place. Our season championship is based upon participation rather than finishing order. The goal is to reward those drivers who participate in our events with a well-prepared car and with an attitude towards racing that will enable them to complete all the racing laps at each event.

What is Vintage Racing?

Vintage racing is about having fun, enjoying the company of other enthusiasts, and respecting the heritage of vintage racecars. Vintage racing is not “real” racing when compared to professional racing. The livelihood of drivers and car companies do not depend on the outcome of a vintage race. Vintage racecars are not disposable tools like modern racecars—they are instead an important part of our automotive heritage.

Vintage racing is a state of mind that understands the only good reason for vintage racing is fun. SOVREN is a group of car enthusiasts who get together to display, exercise and compete with historical racecars rather than letting them collect dust in garages. The idea is to have fun with your car and not ruin others’ fun while doing it.

What types of cars race in SOVREN?

Any car that fits the rules below is welcome to race with SOVREN. Having a “racing car” background is not a requirement, any car set up for the street that fits the rules of eligibility may be made safe to race and join with us on the track. The general racing categories are:

  • Pre-War: Automobiles produced on or before Dec. 31, 1940.
  • Vintage: Automobiles produced after 12/31/40 and on or before 12/31/62.
  • Historic: Automobiles produced after 12/31/62 and 25 years or older from current year.
  • Formula: As allowed by the Monoposto Register rules: through 1963 for Formula Jr., pre-1976 Formula V as long as they meet the pre-1969 rules, pre-1970 for Formula B, Formula C, and Formula II, pre-1973 for Formula Ford, 1973 thru 1981 for Club Ford, and thru 1966 for Formula 1. We also support a Club Formula Vee specification.
  • Purpose-Built/Exhibition: SOVREN offers this class for significant racing automobiles including selected replica and tribute cars that do not fit into the above categories but are deemed suitable to race with vintage cars. Cars from this class may be slotted into other groups, for example, Factory Five Cobra replicas run with the Big Bore Historic group.

Visit the Race page and the Rules page for more information.

What are the club activities?

See the Events page for descriptions of the club’s activities, including races and meetings. The current year’s Schedule is also available.

You can learn more about getting involved with club activities at the Race, Volunteer, and Spectate pages.

SOVREN membership

See the Membership page for information about joining SOVREN. Note that ownership of a vintage race car is not a requirement.

History of SOVREN

In 1985, Seattle Porsche enthusiast Dick Mattei decided that there was a need for a vintage racing organization in the Pacific Northwest. Approximately 100 enthusiasts were recruited at a meeting in 1986, and 15 of them became the charter members of SOVREN, an acronym coined by Mattei.

The club originally was organized to include both racing and touring; however, it soon became evident that the members’ main interest was in wheel to wheel competition.

In 1989, SOVREN, in conjunction with the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts, held their first Pacific Northwest Historics at Seattle International Raceway. Approximately 59 cars participated, and tradition was established. In the years since, the number and quality of cars and the fun for participants and spectators has increased significantly. In 1990, the Historics became a fund raiser for Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle and 68 cars participated and $7500 was raised. Over the years SOVREN has worked hand in hand with the SOVREN Guild and the Historics have raised millions of dollars, most of which goes directly towards uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital.