I don't think I'm going to Monterey this year... For me it is just a combination of things, and this is the straw that may have broken the camels back. I know the tourists infuse lots of $ into the area all summer; often tourists are viewed simply as pests to the locals. I realize were just visitors there, and do my best to respect their home, but I dont like being taken advantage of. The free market dictates people can charge whatever the market will support. What Ive seen in the past few years is that the market supports: Higher lodging rates than any other period all year long. Four night minimum stays, even in shabby motels. Drastically increased fuel prices, again for one week only (last year I saved $1.25 per gallon by driving 15 miles to Salinas to fill up). Increased prices for dining at many restaurants. Hand car washes increased from $20 to $80, again just for the week. For me, the highlight event has always been Concorso Italiano. The other events (Rolex Historic Auto Races, The Barn Yard, Pebble Beach, and various car auctions) are just fun ways to fill up the remaining days, since Im forced to pay for four-nights lodging. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy these events too, but since the crown jewel has been tarnished I dont know that Im willing to stomach the combination. The most memorable part of the week is fun with friends - but at what cost? According to my calculations, I would be hard pressed to get out of Monterey without shelling out $3,000 (even more if you ship a car up). It seems that a heck of a good time with friends can be had for far less than $3,000. Please, someone, tell me what Im not considering or blowing out of proportion.
I live here in Monterey and I hear what you're saying about some of the vendors and hotel owners here, it's like this during most big events, but it's not every vendor. What peaves me off is last year on the Friday before the Moto GP at Laguna Seca, the CHP sat their a$$es at the 12th st. and Hwy. 1 overpass and wrote over 750 tickets in 1 day! No lie! Many were for 75 or less in a 65 MPH zone. I heard unconfirmed reports that they pulled the same stunt during the concorso, but not sure how many they wrote that day. The CHP's in this area use LIDAR so beware if all you have is radar detectors. I don't know what's got into the local CHP office here, but somehow I think it's the vast amouint of $$$ these tickets raise. It's definitely not the SAFETY issue that they claim. These guys are fricken EVERYWHERE these days, so beware.
I don't really have a good answer for you, but your question got me thinking about why I, for one, am going, and am expecting to have a great time at Concorso Italiano. I go because I love mid-engined Italian cars (especially some of the older ones). I know I will see them pretty much everywhere over on the peninsula for the whole weekend -- on auction, in parking lots, on the street, at hotels, on golf courses, at airports, in hotel foyers, on trailers, in traffic, etc. -- but the highest concentration and the widest variety will be at Concorso Italiano. I guess in response to your question, and in response to what I've been reading on this thread, we (you and I, all of the prior posters) have to decide what our priorities are, and be guided thereby. If what one values most highly is comfort, location, atmosphere, luxury, a good time with friends, cost, and the like, than one can certainly do better than going to the peninsula along with thousands of other tourists while driving an expensive, temperamental Italian sports car, fighting traffic, parking, reservations, bad drivers, short tempers, disagreeable locations, and who knows what other evils. If, on the other hand, one's passion is for the cars, and in particular, for certain varieties of Italian cars, one really can't do much better than Concorso Italiano in my opinion. Where else can one go to see dozens of Panteras in such a bewildering array of modified states? (Perhaps not always "Italian Style", but always interesting.) Where else can one always be sure to see a few Miuras, Countaches, Dinos and Boxers, one or two Mangustas, 288s, F40s, F50s, Enzos, Urracos, and Jalpas, a bunch of Testarossas, 308s, Mondials, 328s, 348s, 355s, 360s, 430s, Gallardos, Murciélagos, and so on, not to mention a few rather nice front engined Italian cars of both older and newer vintages. I go to as many gatherings of Italian cars as I can (six or eight), and each year, this is my favorite. What I take away from such gatherings is not the venue, nor the weather, nor the access, nor the traffic, and so on, but the cars (and the people that belong to them) that I see. For me, Concorso is where I will see, touch, smell, eyeball, explore, study, photograph, and enjoy the greatest breadth and depth of mid-engined Italian sports cars (and hot rods in the case of the Panteras) in the course of a year. As for the cost, there I really don't know what to say. You are right, it isn't cheap, but I've had my reservation for the place I like to stay for many months now, and it is by no means too expensive. I got my Concorso tickets as soon as they went on sale, and they seem to me a real bargain. In all, I expect to spend way less than your (not unreasonable) estimate, but that isn't really the priority that ultimately guides my decision process in any case. Also, I see that a lot of posters here are very worried about the potential inconvenience of getting in and out of the venue, but I have to say, I've always found that if I do indeed get caught in traffic for a while, what better place (Monterey), better reason (Concorso Italiano) or better car (name of your car here) to be caught in? My car is a joy to drive in any circumstance, whether in traffic/rain/darkness/whatever or not; whether at 5 mph, 55 mph, 105 mph, or 155 mph. I love being in my car going somewhere interesting, especially somewhere densely populated some of the cars mentioned above. There is plenty more to say about the various pros and cons mentioned elsewhere in this thread about both CI and the new venue, but this post is already too long. So, to conclude, I, for one, am looking forward to going, am certain I will thoroughly enjoy it, and am hoping to see some of your cars (and you) there! Chris
I live near Salinas and saw this exact event. I warned a few bikes in Marina and they slowed down near the 12th st. exit. They had around 10-20 CHP bikes just taking off and ticketing every bike out there. I couldn't believe it.
Well, Monterey is pretty expensive all year round, but they do charge a lot during Concours week. But there are definitely ways to do things on the cheap. If you're willing to drive 15-20 minutes each day, you can stay in Watsonville for $80 a night.
Travel Lodge or Day's Inn is $80 a night the rest of the year. They are $300 per night with a minimum stay during that weekend. I think that's what the complaint is. Given that I'm an avowed capitalist, I say that if people are willing to spend $300 to stay at Travel Lodge, good for them. I have voted with my feet and have not attended since 2004. The money is really only a small part of it for me, however. CI has been crappy since it left Quail Lodge. Sorry, that's just my opinion. I was done with the Historics in 2004 when a couple hundred of us had spent the whole morning waiting to parade our Ferraris on the track at Laguna Seca, signed all of the forms, got our cars loaded with guests with engines idling and they pulled the plug just minutes before we were to be let on the track. Am I bitter? In a word, yes. I don't like getting screwed over and when someone does it to me I never forget.
I just visited the Marina Airport today and I am underwhelmed. There is one entrance called Imjim Rd. which is off of Reservation Road. It looks like someone tried to make a Technology Park out of it and failed. It's like a ghost town .. even has a faded restaurant sign with no restaurant. Also some old military building left over from Fort Ord days. To get to it from Hy 1 you either go thru the town of Marina (stop lights) or you take Nashua Rd. to Blanco Rd. to Reservation Rd. The bottleneck is the entrance and it could be awkward if you are displaying or getting judged ... not sure how a special entrance is feasible. How's that cooling system and clutch? Maybe they'll put in another road ...August is a long way away. But the airport is butt ugly if that means anything to you.
People flock to the Monterey peninsula to be overwhelmed with cypress, water, the smell of sea salt, beach views and a special ambiance, not the Marina Airport - that place blows, let's face it. Someone earlier nailed it by saying they enjoyed bringing a picnic basket and basking under the trees while enjoying lunch on the lawn......how does asphalt, few views and wind compare? The "GoodGuy" classic car events represent enthusiasts willing to pay for a known commodity.......Alternatively, Concorso blows - over promises with consistent under-delivery every time i've visited. Gold class tickets have entitled me to 30 minutes in the food line with crappy food at best, no seating. The fact that a GoodGuys event can compare and exceed expectations compared to Concorso Italiano, is a HUGE PROBLEM! If you don't agree just take a 10 minute visit to Silicon Valley Auto Group on your way to Monterey, grab some crappy food, plug in your i-pod and call it a day. Oh wait, I forgot.........it's now at the Marina Airport with new and improved promises......?
+1 why would I trailer 2 cars from NY, hop on a plane with my wife to walk around the equivalent of a supermarket parking lot car show?? I don't know about everyone else but at some point my wife would make me pay for that one....Unfortunately this event is starting to seriously decline fast.
There is hope here. If this event manages to self destruct that would leave the Friday of the Monterey weekend open for another event. Who knows, maybe another grass roots event will spring up like the genesis of the original Concorso. john
Are you volunteering to put up the 250k it takes to put on an event. Secure all the permits, venues, catering, and all the infrastructor needed? Plus deal with the egos and arm chair Generals telling you how you should do things? Step right up with your check and let's see how you do!
No. But I am making my contribution by (1) paying my entrance fee and (2) displaying my car-- which I may not if it takes more than 15 minutes to be placed.
Grassroots events don't take anything near that. Organized grand events do. His comment was not a particularly negative one. Speaking of arm chair generals...
The site offers the general public and enthusiasts a forum to share a wide variety of facts, knowledge, opinion, etc with others. Trying to mute input by offering a challenge by those to do better in this case seems silly.....Although the input may be painful [for the organizer]to hear, it's probably important to take notice nonetheless. Based on general feedback in this thread, it appears this event has been on the downhill slide for a while.
There are seemingly conflicting interests at work. Some see the event as going downhill, while it continues to grow. The problems the last time I was at the show all derived from growth and size. All issues that could be handled easily the next year if the promoter is paying attention. Some will love the show because it is such a large gathering, others will hate it. Its changed thats for sure. But thats what happens. It also give rise to events like The Quail. Completely different animal. You wont see the cars from The Quail at Italiano, and visa versa. I will be interested in seeing how the IC goes this year. Putting on a show of this size is no cake walk.
I agree, not an easy event to run, but what event is?? I do not agree that you won't see cars from the Quail at CI, at least Italian ones. Since the Quail started it has taken most of the big money show cars that should have been sitting in the middle of CI's special display's. As a consequence CI's special displays have been small offerings that are mostly forgettable, not to mention all of these anniversary's every year. A good example is this years Lamborghini 45th anniversary?? is that really necessary? isn't the 50th the big one?? From reading the posts it is obvious that the new owner has not taken care of the average guy attending, displaying his car or the big money guys, not to mention the clubs. I hope he reads all of these posts and fix's the event. Unless this years event is a smashing hit it sounds like most of us enjoy shade, views and turf not to mention good food.
If CI was only lacking in one of these areas, I could give them a pass. Unfortunately, they have ticked off clubs, make it difficult to enter and get positioned without excessive wear and tear on key drivetrain components and my nerves, have limited (bad) food choices and run out of coffee and pastries before most exhibitors even arrive. Now we add an even worse location? And what's with the boats? Boats don't show well on trailers. They can't be viewed as they were meant to be seen up on a trailer. Those otherwise beautiful Riva boats just look silly sitting there out of the water. So now they are going to add airplanes? Italian airplanes? If I wanted to see airplanes I would go to an airshow. There will be hundreds of cars at CI this year. Some just have a much higher threshold for pain than I. I'm sure that there's a reason why they haven't, but if they want to expand the event, how about getting local Italian restaurants to have booths and sell food there? Maybe even have a people's choice competition for the best spaghetti or something? How about Italian wine tasting? How about autocross (or some other motion) on the runway? I'm sure that there are challenges with licenses and permits and insurance, but those are just a few ideas. I'd really like the event to be worth attending again someday.
FSTENUF's comments about reconsidering Monterey week is something I can certainly relate to. Fortunately, I live within 30 minutes of Carmel, so the lodging costs don't impact me other than having lots of requests to stay at our place that weekend. But, after 20+ years of doing this, it is becoming quite tedious now that everything is so crowded and such a "big deal". Here's some thoughts on what you may want to do and NOT do...... 1. Tony Singer's Literature and Memorabilia Show at the Embassy Suites early in the week, is not expensive, helps charity, and provides several hours of low key fun. Its a must do. 2. These days, I usually go to the Monterey Historics one day (Saturday usually) since our friends want to go. For several years, I elected to boycott the MH. I vintage race myself, so its like going to watch golf for me...would rather be doing than watching. I don't get to race there as Steve Earle has only once accepted the type of car I own and race (but not mine). Having had "dealings" with Mr. Earle and his wife in the past, I am NOT a fan of his events. People who enter get minimal track time, and often get treated like fodder when they're the ones putting on the show for Mr. Earle and family. And, don't even get me started on the entry criteria process. Its Steve's show and he does whatever he damn well pleases. And that's how it is.... I choose to vote with my wallet and stay away if I can. There are lots of other more friendly vintage race venues that provide a lot more bang for the buck if that's what you're interested in. 3. Concorso.....Marina Airport is a pit. Period. I entered this year after many years at CI and then 2 years at The Quail, but cancelled when I got wind of this change. 4. The Carmel Concours. I couldn't attend last year, but heard it was fabulous. A great setting, and other things to do if you get bored looking at cars. Will definitely be at this. And now, 2 days worth! Woo Hoo! 5. The Quail. A FABULOUS event and venue, but $$$$$$$$. This year would have cost $600 for my wife and I to go (2 Ferrari Club entries, plus a $100 charitable donation for the special Ferrari parking). For me, that's just too much for an afternoon cocktail party where I've seen most of the cars, and know a lot of the people there already. The unlimited food and drink is fabulous, the cars are stunning, the venue is first class, and the people a lot of fun, but I can see them all elsewhere for a lot less. I've done it 2 years now, and enjoyed every minute, but for me its hit that level of pain. Sorry, Quail....I'll let the higher rollers than me enjoy this one. Oh yeah, and by the way, it sold out about 2 weeks after they announced it earlier this year. So, what do I know?? 6. The Khaki's party - This is always enjoyable. The Ferrari bags they gave out last year were great. The wine pourers are a little stingy, and the food disappears fast, but when you get some, its usually pretty good. Its getting more crowded, and is surprising that more of the stores in the Barnyard don't stay open with all the Ferrari owners milling around. We'd be inclined to go shopping while we're there, but every time we do, everything there is closed. Khaki's...tell your neighbors it might pay them to stay open that evening. 7. McCall's Wings and Wheels Party - I guess I never quite made the A-list to get an invite to this but heard it USED to be quite the party. BUT, since he started charging for entry last year, I've heard its started going downhill. I've heard quite a few folks say they've decided not to go. With Christie's out of the auction biz, not sure what's planned this year??? 8. Pebble Beach - Everyone has to do Pebble AT LEAST once. But, if you do, you'll quickly find out that the ONLY way to do Pebble is with a VIP invite to one of the suites. Otherwise, you're stuck out on the grass with all the other riff/raff with no where to sit, get a drink, or get something to eat. Its an event with ZERO amenities for its attendees. The entrants are busy working on their cars and being judged. The judges and volunteers have hospitality areas. The VIPs have their tents, rooms, and balconies. So if you aren't one of the above groups, plan on being dehydrated, tired, and having sore feet, and only concrete walls to rest on. Plus, plan on a lengthy bus ride up and down 17 Mile Drive from where you parked (I think its more like 21 Mile Drive after that last bus ride). I've been fortunate enough to score some of those VIP passes in prior years....but the day those dry up is the last time you'll see me at Pebble (unless I volunteer to start judging!). 9. The "Etceterini Car Tour" - I've never entered the Car Tour that ends up in Pacific Grove, although I've been stuck in traffic when it was going by. It's an endless line of cars that would seem to be more appropriate at the Half Moon Bay "Dream Machines" anti-conconcours. Not that they're bad cars...they're just the everyday stuff (including rental cars) that get relegated to "wannabe's" during Monterey Holy Week. Any other time, they'd be fine rides (like Corvettes, anything Japanese, fake Shelby's, etc. etc.). While I'm sure those folks probably get their money's worth, it doesn't strike me as a "must do" event?? 10. Auctions, Auctions, Auctions......too many to name...fun to go check out the merchandise. Find someone you know who's buying or selling, and freeload off them! Tell the auction company you're their purchase "consultant"! FINALLY...for those in the area....the be advised that the local CHP has received a federal grant for increased drunk driving patrols along Highway 1, and will undoubtedly be writing LOTS of tickets. It seems that all law enforcement lately has enacted a zero tolerance policy for ANYTHING. So, just drive carefully and below 0.08 BAL and you'll be fine. Note, however, that if you drive erratically, and blow a 0.07 (that's like 1 glass of wine), you can be charged with a "Wet and Reckless" and suffer the same consequences from the DMV as if you had been over 0.08. I know people this has happened to. BE ADVISED.
so who's on this thread that has something to do with C.I.? I hope your listening or just putting your hands over your ears and saying so what!!
Thanks for you candid comments. I have now been going to Monterey for 25 times (in a row) and have not attended PB for some of the very reasons you have mentioned. john
