Alton, Va. (Jan. 5) – VIRginia International Raceway is proud to announce that Heacock Classic has been named the title sponsor of the Gold Cup Historic Races.

The Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races is scheduled for the weekend of June 8-10, and this year’s event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of VIR’s opening in 1957 with a number of special guests and significant racing cars.

Heacock Classic, formerly known as Parish-Heacock Insurance, specializes in insurance coverage for classic, collectible and vintage racing cars. Heacock Classic is a division of Heacock Insurance Group, Inc., based in Sebring, Fla. Heacock Insurance is a full-service independent insurance agency which has been in business since 1922. Parish Motorsports Insurance in Burns, Tenn., became part of the Heacock Insurance Group in March, 2000, expanding their client list to over 20,000 collector car clients nationwide.

Company president Ford Heacock III is a serious automobile enthusiast. As a native of Sebring, Fla., his family was intimately involved in the heyday of Sebring's international sports car races. His grandfather (Ford Sr.) was the first local chairman of the Sebring 12 Hours of Endurance. After college, Ford III took an active interest in the burgeoning vintage sports car racing hobby. He founded both the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), a national organization for vintage racing, and Vintage Motorsport magazine. Today, in addition to his duties as president of Heacock Classic, Ford finds time to organize the annual Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival in Lakeland, Fla. He is currently restoring a 1953 Jaguar XK120 roadster.

“I’m very excited about Heacock Classic having the opportunity to become title sponsor of the Gold Cup Historic Races at VIR,” Heacock said. “As a past vintage racer and founder of SVRA and Vintage Motorsport, I look forward to reconnecting with my good friends from long ago. Insurance for vintage racing cars and collector cars is our specialty, and I can’t think of a better way to network with our best customers and prospects.”

“We are thrilled to have Heacock Classic as our title sponsor for the Gold Cup Historic Races,” said VIR general manager Josh Lief. “The Gold Cup is a very special event for us, and with this year’s celebration of VIR’s 50th anniversary we are determined to make it one of the ‘must-attend’ events of 2007. The opportunity to work with Heacock Classic is a perfect match, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

The Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races is VIR’s signature, self-sanctioned vintage racing event. Dedicated to “reviving the vintage spirit,” the Gold Cup places the emphasis on fun and camaraderie rather than outright victory. The event has received rave reviews for its mix of low-key on- and off-track fun, and grids are assembled based on car/driver combinations rather than engine displacement or year of manufacture, guaranteeing close racing from the front to the back of the pack. Three days of on-track action will be complemented by off-track activities including parties, live music, a car show and a fun karting enduro for race entrants.

Advance three-day Super Tickets for the Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races will be priced at $30. At the gate, three-day Super Tickets will be priced at $40. Also, single-day tickets will be available for Friday ($10, gate only), Saturday ($15 advance/$20 gate) and Sunday ($15 advance/$20 gate). VIR is a family-friendly facility, where children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Spectator camping is available. Call 434-822-7700 x300 or x116 for advance ticket sales.

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River just outside Danville, Virginia. In addition to its 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery; Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved karting circuit; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room trackside hotel; the new VIR Paddock Suites and Garages, with 18 dual-purpose hospitality/lodging units and garages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse.

For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or telephone 434-822-7700. For more information on Heacock Classic, visit their website at www.heacockclassic.com.