Cris Vandagriff is the president of the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA), an organization that helps bring historic racing cars to race fans and tracks today in their period-correct configuration and livery. If you ever hear the stories of “the good ole’ days” and how great the race cars sounded and looked at phenomenal race tracks, Vandagriff’s organization brings those sights and sounds to old (experienced) and new fans alike, and the living history of these historic machines is unprecedented. World champion drivers are just some of the people who wheeled these cars in anger back in the day. Today, these cars are mostly driven by enthusiasts with the means to acquire and race them. However, some current top drivers also relish the chance to get behind the wheel of these fabulous machines. In this interview which was done at the media day event for the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Vandagriff shares his background and interesting stories of his family’s racing roots, and the famous drivers he’s known throughout the years and much more. A wonderful trip down Memory Lane that if you’re a fan of where this sport came from, you’ll certainly hear some interesting stories. Enjoy!
NOTE: For more information on HMSA, please visit their website at: www.hmsausa.com.
By Larry Mason
Copyright © 2025 Larry Mason
Cris Vandagriff is a true racer who has not only raced, but supported innumerable racers over the years and is president of the HMSA.
Here are just some of the historic race cars that compete with HMSA. I asked Cris if he had a favorite photo that best represented HMSA and this is what he sent me – although he did say that this was a tough assignment!
Here you see a historic Indy car, F5000 car and F1 car together on track at the same time at the 50th Anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach thanks to Vandagriff’s HMSA and the talented mechanics and drivers who keep these cars doing what they were meant to do.
One of Dan Gurney’s most famous race cars – the Olsonite Eagle, got to spread its wings and fly down Shoreline Drive. Gurney was instrumental in turning the Long Beach Grand Prix from a concept into reality in addition to being a champion driver, designer and team owner.
Back in the day, a talented aluminum fabricator could build a tub, the suspension was simple (without aerodynamic wishbones), and an off-the-shelf Ford Cosworth V8 was all you needed to go Formula One racing! P.S. Notice the analog gauges on the dash too!
The very first race car to ever turn a wheel at the Long Beach Grand Prix in 1975 was this Jorgensen Eagle F5000 car driven by Vern Schuppan. He would go on to finish on the podium in second place behind the legendary Brian Redman.
Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason (unless otherwise noted)