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NEW WORLD-CLASS CONCOURS ANNOUNCES HONORARY CHAIRMAN, DATES FOR 1997
Amelia Island, FL (October 16, 1996) - Heralded as a "new world-class concours" by AUTOWEEK, the second invitational Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance announced the acceptance of Phil Hill, America's first Formula One World Driver's Champion, as its Honorary Chairman for 1997.
"We have lined up a selection of vehicles which equals or exceeds the quality of those in the first concours, many rarely seen in public," said Bill Warner, event co-chairman and contributing editor of ROAD & TRACK magazine. "Besides raising money for charity, we are striving to present the southeast United States with a Concours d'Elegance rivaling the best in the world."
The lavish, event-filled weekend is scheduled for March 6-8, 1997 at Amelia Island, Florida. All activities occur at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island resort and include a benefit golf tournament and Veuve Clicquot Champaign Maker's Dinner on Thursday, a black-tie gala dinner honoring Phil Hill with live and silent auctions on Friday, and The Concours d'Elegance and the Mode du Concours Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon on Saturday. The designated charity of the event is Hospice Northeast, Inc., a local organization serving the needs of terminally ill children and adults.
"As the oldest car manufacturer in the world, Mercedes-Benz places a high regard on our automotive heritage, and we are honored to associate our marque as the presenting sponsor of this first-class event," said Bob Crolic, vice president of Mercedes-Benz of North America.
A Concours d'Elegance (parade of elegance), is a contest for automobiles based upon their authenticity, notoriety and appearance. The first such event was held in France in the 1800s. Today these events are held around the world in places such as the Bagatelle of Paris; London; Pebble Beach, California; and Meadow Brook, Michigan. The inaugural Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance featured many vehicles seldom or never seen by the general public and included a vintage motorcycle category, making it a "first" among these world-class shows.
"The question of who is judging is of paramount concern to the owners of these rare and expensive cars," said Warner, "and we are pleased that most of the pre-eminent panel assembled for the inaugural event are returning."
The judges for the Amelia Island event will be headed by Peter Brock, a consultant and instructor at the Art Center School in Pasadena, California, who has designed and built prototypes for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Nissan and Triumph. Phil Hill, the Honorary Chairman, is on the judges panel ex officio. Hill, who drove professionally for Ferrari and many other manufacturers, is one of only two Americans to win the world championship. (The other is Mario Andretti.)
Among the most distinguished judges returning for 1997 include Dave Holls, former director of design, General Motors Corporation; Larry Shinoda, currently designer for Roger Penske Racing and responsible for the Ford Mustang Boss 302 and some of the original Corvette Sting Rays; and Dave Gooding, head of Christie's America International Motor Car Department.
For those who cannot attend The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, the sites and scenes are available to any car aficionado with a computer modem. Instead of admiring all the classic cars and vintage motorcycles by strolling the 10th and 18th fairways on Amelia Island, web browsers are encouraged to take the information superhighway highway to http://www.ClassicCarShow.com.
For additional media information, please contact:
Bill Ussery
Mercedes-Benz of North America
phone: (904) 443-2135
email: ussery@usa.mercedes-benz.com
wwweb: http://www.classiccarshow.com
