the Monkey

In vintage racing, where camaraderie and competition go hand in hand, one figure stands out, not for speed or skill, but for his unmatched presence in the paddock.

This is the story of the Monkey, a beloved mascot who went from school crossing guard to the unofficial leader of Jag Off Racing. Along the way, he became a paddock icon at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) and beyond—a legend built on laughter, friendship, and just the right amount of mischief.

Vintage racing is more than just a sport, it’s a time machine. It’s about preserving history, honoring tradition, and embracing the raw, mechanical joy of motorsport.

Some cars were once piloted by legends. Others began as humble street machines before being reborn as track warriors. But all share one thing: a caretaker dedicated to preserving their legacy and passing them on to the next generation.

More than anything, vintage racing is about the paddock. It’s a place where friendships are forged over borrowed tools, busted knuckles, and stories shared over a cold drink. When something breaks, and it always does, there’s someone nearby with a spare part, a wrench, or at least a good laugh.

Nowhere is this spirit stronger than in the paddocks of Schenley Park and Pitt Race International during the PVGP. Amid the chaos of roaring engines and historic machines, the Monkey found his place, not behind the wheel, but at the heart of the paddock

The Monkey has been a fixture at PVGP and other vintage racing events for decades. Kids are drawn to him, and adults chuckle at the sight of grown men treating a stuffed animal like an honored guest.

But to those in the know, the Monkey represents something deeper. He’s a symbol of camaraderie, tradition, and the friendships that make vintage racing special.

One of the earliest known photos of the Monkey at Schenley Park dates back to 2006, surrounded by young paddock regulars, Sean and Mikey Lawrence, and Jared and Joshua Shoemaker. These weren’t just kids playing between race cars. They were growing up in the world of vintage racing, learning the ropes, helping their fathers, and soaking in the knowledge that would one day make them racers themselves.

And through it all, the Monkey was there, becoming part of their story, just as they became part of his.

The Monkey’s story didn’t begin at a racetrack.

In the early 1990s, he served as a school crossing guard at Garnet Valley Elementary in Philadelphia. But he wasn’t alone, every morning, rain or shine, an assortment of animal figures stood beside him, forming an unlikely (but dedicated) safety team.

The Monkey took his job seriously, but even then, there was a twinkle of mischief in his eye, perhaps he knew he was destined for something bigger.

By 1995-96, the Monkey found a new home with Ralph (One of the OGs of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix) and Candy Steinberg, who introduced him to the world of motorsports. By 1997, he was attending nearly every event Ralph and Candy went to—rallies, car shows, and races.

His reputation grew, and before long, he was a staple of the vintage racing paddock.

But in 2012, Candy’s passing left a hole in the paddock and the monkey went into hiding.

That all changed in 2015.  During the VRG School and Jefferson 500 at Summit Point Raceway, Keith Lawrence, determined to keep the Monkey’s spirit alive, brought an inflatable monkey to stand in for the real one.

Legends don’t fade, they wait. Keith wasn’t going to let the tradition Ralph and Candy started disappear.  That weekend, the Monkey returned, after Keith convinced Jeff Tapolci and Brad Karol to participate in VRG’s Driver School and Jefferson 500.  

Although the original Monkey stayed hidden, the inflatable stand-in sparked new energy. Humor thrived. Initiations began. And Jag Off Racing was born.

The Monkey became their good-luck charm and the excuse to liven up the paddock. Initiations, usually made up on the spot—involved bourbon, cigars, and good-natured pranks.

It was only fitting that a stuffed monkey from the travel show “Drinking Made Easy”, whose party-loving spirit fit perfectly with Jag Off Racing.  The group adorned the monkey and Jag Off stickers on cars and trailers to amplify the fun.

Whether he’s stirring up trouble in the paddock, sneaking into grandstands, or riding shotgun in a race car, one thing is clear: wherever the race is, the Monkey finds a way to be at the center of it.

Jag Off Racing has one rule: members must have real Pittsburgh roots. Whether you grew up there, have family from the area, married into it, or just got pulled into its orbit—being a Jag Off means carrying the black and gold with pride.

As the team grows, so does its reputation for camaraderie, humor, and just the right amount of troublemaking. The goal to take Jag Off Racing, and the Monkey, to bigger stages. With ambitions of taking on premier vintage events—and even racing on legendary tracks overseas, the journey is far from over. What started as an inside joke in the paddock has become a full-blown racing fraternity, with no signs of slowing down.

So the next time you see him, say hello, take a picture, and share a story.

Legends never retire.

As long as there’s a paddock, a race, and a group of racers who know how to have fun, the Monkey will be there, because some legends are just too good to fade away.