This vibrant 1971 poster promotes the annual racing calendar at the renowned Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, located near Mansfield, Ohio. During the early 1970s, Mid-Ohio had already established itself as one of the most important road racing circuits in the United States, attracting major championships and some of the most exciting sports cars of the era.
The poster’s bold graphic style immediately reflects the visual language of early 1970s motorsport promotion. Dominated by striking shades of green, the design features two racing cars captured at dramatic angles, emphasizing speed, power, and close competition. The simplified silhouettes and high-contrast colors evoke a sense of motion while maintaining a strong visual impact typical of the period’s poster design.
The calendar highlights three major events scheduled for the season. In June, the circuit hosted a round of the Trans-American Sedan Championship, a fiercely contested championship featuring production-based performance cars. July brought the Sports Car Club of America Nationals and the Continental Championship, events that showcased both amateur and professional road racing talent. The season culminated in August with the spectacular Canadian-American Challenge Cup, famous for its powerful prototype machines and technological innovation.
Sponsorship logos from companies such as Ashland and Valvoline appear at the bottom of the poster, reflecting the growing relationship between motorsport and corporate branding during the era.
Today, posters like this one are valued not only as pieces of graphic design but also as historical records of a thrilling period in American racing, when circuits like Mid-Ohio hosted some of the most dramatic and technologically daring competitions in motorsport history.
Original Poster
Sport - Automobile - United States
Ashland - Valvoline - Racing Calendar
Good condition, one crease
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