The second annual Louisville Concours d’Elegance will take place at historic Churchill Downs, on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Some of the rarest, most elegant and significant cars in the country will be displayed.
This year’s event, sponsored in part by Grundy Worldwide, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Bugatti Car Company—a company whose founder, Ettore Bugatti, was not only an automotive enthusiast but a passionate horse lover who liked to call his aesthetically meticulous creations “Pur Sang,” or “thoroughbreds.” It seems more than fitting to honor these purebred creations at the Louisville Concours, which is held at a racetrack that has become the leader of Thoroughbred racing in the nation.
The idea for the Louisville Concours began in October 2007, when a small group of volunteers gathered together with the idea of creating a yearly signature event for their favorite charity, Brooklawn Child & Family Services; the charity is a non-profit residential treatment facility for children who suffer from the psychological effects of severe abuse, neglect and other trauma.
As the group looked for ways to not only raise money, but to raise awareness of one of the largest child welfare services agencies in Kentucky, many ideas were put on the table. After some discussion, the idea of staging a Concours d’Elegance was posed.
Being familiar with concours and their growing popularity, excitement quickly grew within this group. While coordinating the event, many sites around Louisville were proposed, but the committee ultimately chose Churchill Downs because of its rich history, tradition and aesthetic beauty. Churchill Downs was a natural fit—after all, the Louisville Concours d’Elegance would combine the best in “Horses and Horsepower.”
This year, the Bugatti Car Company has agreed to bring some major horsepower to the concours—the 2009 Bugatti Grand Sport. This vehicle is this world’s fastest production car made today, according to Jim Mahanes, Public Relations Director for the Louisville Concours. He says that the coordinators of the event are very excited to have this special car displayed.
“It’s the cream of the crop for super cars,” says Mahanes.
In addition to the excitement around the exhibition of the 2009 Bugatti Grand Sport, Mahanes says that there is a great deal of anticipation about the estimated 150 highly significant vehicles that are expected to be displayed on the field. He says that highlights of the event include vehicles owned by some of the nation’s great collectors, such as Jim Patterson and Malcolm Pray.
“We will have some very important cars from the collector car world,” explains Mahanes. “We are very excited about the participants.”
Collectors from across the United States will bring their one-of-a-kind vehicles (some rarely seen outside of museums) to Louisville to compete for various awards, including the coveted “Best in Show” crystal trophy.
Judging these “rolling works of art,” are some of the best-known names in the world of collector cars.
The 2009 judges include some of the most experienced Concours judges in the country, with experience at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Meadowbrook, Hilton Head and others; Ed Gilbertson, Chief Judge at Pebble Beach, will be at the event as Honorary Judge.
Grand Marshals are Tony award-winning actor Ed Herrmann and Concours veteran, Charles Moyer; also, veteran master of ceremonies, color commentator and announcer at national collector car shows, Ed Lucas, returns as the master of ceremonies. |
Approximately 5000 spectators are expected at the 2009 event, says Mahanes.
As a collector of many historically significant vehicles in the country, Mr. Jim Grundy, President and CEO of The Grundy Agency, will be among the visitors of this celebration of “Horses and Horsepower.”
Other representatives from The Grundy Agency’s Special Client Services Division will also be at the site, at the Grundy exhibit area, to answer questions and provide insurance quotes.
The Schedule of Events is as follows:
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Gallup to Glory Brunch: The Concours d' Elegance commences Saturday with an opportunity to view the horses’ morning exercises at Churchill Downs and watch as the four-legged, million-dollar athletes work out under the famous Twin Spires. This is an event exclusively for car exhibitors, judges and other invited guests. Following the workout, a private walking tour of historic Churchill Downs will be held. The morning continues with an exquisite Gallop to Glory Champagne Brunch at RIVUE, the beautiful roof-top restaurant at the Galt House Hotel & Suites, followed by a short walk across the Riverfront Belvedere to the Kentucky Center for the Arts to view the KentuckyShow, an exciting, large screen multi-media experience narrated by Ashley Judd that captures Kentucky’s people, culture, history, music, spirit and more.
Concours-Eve Celebration and Dinner in Millionaire's Row: Guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails in the Paddock of Churchill Downs, while viewing some of the finest collector cars in the country. As guests browse through the silent auction, some of Kentucky’s finest distilleries will treat them to a bourbon tasting, while some of the most famous Kentucky Derby races in history play on the JumboTron, overhead. The evening continues with the Churchill Downs bugler playing “My Old Kentucky Home” and the “Call to the Post,” inviting guests upstairs to a dinner in Churchill’s renowned Millionaire’s Row, where the stars spend Derby Day.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Louisville Concours d'Elegance
* All times to be announced
Winner’s Circle Champagne Celebration: Following the presentation of trophies on the main stage, owners of award-winning cars and their guests will be directed to Churchill's rose-lined Winner's Circle for the Champange Celebration.
Tickets for this event run $15 in advance and are available at (502) 212-8373 or www.concourslouisville.com; tickets are $20 at gate.
Story by: Becky McLaughlin
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