MEET our MEMBER
Brian Hoskins Ford is one of the sponsors for Coatesville Grand Prix
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer Brian Hoskins Ford at 2601 Lincoln Highway East in Coatesville is a standout among new and used car dealerships. “A lot of other stores have come and gone, but we’ve been here for the duration since 1958,” said General Manager Ed Kovatch. “When it comes to our store, we’d like people to understand that we’ve been here for a long time and we care about the city. We’ve always made every effort to give back to the community.” A way they give back is by being the Title Sponsor of the Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix. One of the original sponsors from the start of the event, their support continues as the fifth running of the race is set for Saturday, September 18th. “We try to make sure we use our marketing dollars toward all the children’s events in the area, sporting events, and school events. We try to cover not just Coatesville, but other area communities as well,” Kovatch explained. As the idea for the Grand Prix was being formed, the dealership was approached by Mike Trio, who was the Coatesville City Manager at that time. Then and now, the event was designed to promote Coatesville in a positive light, with any money raised going to benefit the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “When they were looking for an automobile dealer to be the title sponsor, they came to us first and we agreed immediately to do it,” Kovatch said. “We thought it was a perfect match for us— we’re a Coatesville store, a domestic dealer, and Ford’s history in racing.” The race includes all kinds of vintage cars, and Ford is well represented in the race. They are also well represented by Brian Hoskins Ford in the display parking area for non-racers at Gateway Park. “There are a lot of classic Fords there, and then we bring down the new monsters, our big engine race cars. It’s kind of a before and after when we park them side by side. We do get a lot of drivers coming up talking cars of course,” Kovatch said.
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Photo by Rachel Cathell
Brian Hoskins Ford displays a car in the V.I.P Area.
Aside from the connection to auto racing and history, Brian Hoskins Ford has a deep connection to the Coatesville community. “It was exactly right for us because we’re all about the revitalization of Coatesville,” Kovatch said. “I was raised there, graduated there – Coatesville has always been a part of my life, This is where we come from and where we’ve been. It’s where we call home.” The Grand Prix features up to 60 cars and 12 motorcycles manufactured from the beginning years of the 20th century up to 1975. Entries tackle timed heats over a 2.2-mile street course through the heart of Coatesville. The course includes historic Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental road for automobiles in the United States. The Grand Prix also features an assortment of vendors, food trucks and a beer garden. This year there will also be a Thursday evening PrixView Party and a Friday evening Cruise-In. V.I.P Area on race day. “The idea was to draw some attention into the city and get spectators in to see what we have to offer,” Kovatch said. For more information about the Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix, visit the website at coatesvillegrandprix.com. For more information on Brian Hoskins Ford, visit the website at brianhoskinsford.com or call 610-384-4242.
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