Williamsburg Winery May 2nd and 3rd

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to send an overview of the upcoming event happening at the Williamsburg Winery on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. Over the past few weeks, I have been working with the Winery and Bob Weber, formerly of Road & Track, and I can say without hesitation this is going to be a very unique event of national caliber! Winery owner Patrick Duffeler is dedicating quite a lot of effort, resources and staff to ensure all participants are well cared for and weekend comes off without a hitch. Patrick was formerly the Formula One team manager for the ISO-Marlboro Formula One team and involved with Philip Morris sponsorship and McLaren in the 70’s. So, he is definitely a “car guy” and true Ferrari fan. Former F1, Indy car, sports car driver, racing school owner and network commentator Derek Daly will be in attendance and is the guest speaker for the Saturday evening Gala Dinner. As many of you know, the winery has several eating establishments and a 28 room chateau on the grounds, for an all inclusive get-away great for couples and guests. The schedule is as follows:


Friday, May 1:

6:00 PM Early Arrival
7:30 PM Dinner for early arrivals

Saturday, May 2:

10:30 AM Depart for Yorktown lunch via the Colonial Parkway
12:30 PM Lunch at Nick’s on the waterfront
3:30 PM Tent parking for 25 top Ferraris
5:00 PM Champagne Reception
7:00 PM Gala Dinner with Derek Daly

Sunday, May 3

11:00 AM Ferrari Display and guest judge
12:30 PM Luncheon
1:45 PM Awards


The pricing is all inclusive and choices are as follows:

Saturday Gala Dinner - $125 per person
Full participation for all events, local resident, no overnight - $450 for 2 persons*
Full participation for all events, with 1 night overnight in Chateau - $695 for 2 persons*
Full participation for all events, with 2 nights overnight in Chateau - $995 for 2 persons*

“*” Please call 1-757-258-0899 for applicable discount if attending alone

ALL years and models are welcome to attend and there will be parking with 24 hour security for ALL Ferraris. However, participation as one of the “top 25” (fine examples of factory original models of any year) Ferraris, under the display tent, is by application to: Patrick Duffeler ([email protected]).

Frankly, this is a very, very fair value in a wonderful setting. Wedmore Place (the 28 room European chateau) is very unique with no two rooms alike, original antiques, original art, local art, and other furnishings imported from Europe and I have toured it personally. If you look closely, you will see original automotive artwork autographed by Jacky Ickx, framed posters from Grands Prix of the 1970’s, and other automotive art. This is a car enthusiasts’ hotel if you look closely.

For more information, contact myself: [email protected], or Bob Weber: [email protected]

To apply for selection, please contact Patrick Duffeler: [email protected]

To register, for payment, reservations or for any other questions contact Courtney Darden: [email protected], Phone: 1-757-258-0899 x120, Fax: 1-757-229-0911

Hope to see you there, for what looks like a fantastic 1st year event!

John

 

It's unfortunate that they aren't offering a discount on the room rates, considering we're bascially booking their whole facility. You can actually book a stay cheaper by going through their website....

I called and spoke to them about this. They took my contact info, said they would get back to me, and never did.

Ferrari tax FTL

 

From everything I have been able to see... the Winery is spending much more per head than they are making. 24 hour security, all inclusive pricing, their staff resources, Derek Daly, souveniers for participants, etc. I was very impressed with the effort. They are taking this very seriously. Cars are coming from PA, NJ, MD, and NC in addition to all throughout VA. I think it will go well.

 

John, this event looks amazing. I have an early Sunday engagement that I can't get out of...

Can we come for the saturday night gala only? I'd like to meet Derek Daly.

Thanks,
LS

 

Absolutely, you can come for any part, and I think it is priced out as such on the registration form. I hear he is quite a story teller and quite an entertaining speaker. I get to pick him up from the airport in my Ferrari.

JD

 

He will also have his book, and will personally autograph it for you.

 

Very cool...

 

I just sent in my registration. Looking forward to this.

- Eric

 

I am in, and my car has been accepted to show among the 25. Very humbling with a 348SS considering the company the car will be keeping in the show I am sure.
I am also sure this may be my only shot to do so as once all of you guys with Daytona's and the like start showing up in the following years, I will be done, but it sure it nice to be in the inaugural

Very much looking forward to the weekend and spending some time with you guys. I will have my wife an 15 month old daughter down there as well, so I will likely have to remove myself for some time to assist in child rearing, but I can't wait to see the cars and meet D.Daley.

MB

 

It was pretty neat, sent Derek Daly an e-mail letting him know I was his ride to/from the airport. He had always been one of my favorites both in F1, over here in the US, and as a TV commentator, and I wrote that down in the e-mail. Very nice guy... sent me a response right back. I think this is truly a score (thanks to Bob Weber and all his years at Road & Track!) for a regional meet.

 

Thanks, John.

Derek is one of the best, most entertaining drivers you will ever see. During my Automobile Magazine days, I enlisted Derek's services numerous times for events we did for our customers (such as Rolex) and he always brought down the house. For example: "in my home town in Ireland the only establishments that outnumbered the Churches were the pubs. In those pubs, where I spent a few evenings, you were never considered to be truly drunk provided you could lay on the floor without holding on...."

His son, Conor, is THE rising star on the American motorsports scene. Do not be suprised if he makes his way to F1 in the near future. His debut in the Star Mazda series in Sebring this year found him starting 15th on the grid due to a balky gearbox. He finished 3rd! I'm sure Derek will cover a Dad's perspective....

Now, next year I'm thinking of bringing along Didier Theys. Another great guy, and piloted the Momo Ferrari 333SP to a Daytona win with Moretti, and flying an Automobile Magazine logo on the airbox courtesy of yours truly! What a blast that was!

Don't miss this event. We'll have a few bumps here and there, but this is a 'beta test' for the years that follow, but it will be a good one.

 

Bob, I bet you have a head full of your own great stories to tell after hanging around with reprobates like David E. Davis all these years. Maybe you can be Derek's warm up act?

Looking forward to meeting you at the event.

 

When you can put your hobby and your job together every day, it just doesn't get much better than that! I did an 8 year stint at Road & Track and thought I'd died and gone to heaven; it was everything I imagined it would be, and perhaps more (and I was only an advertising sales guy...). How about a trip to Monaco for the Grand Prix....flying over on the Concorde!......staying at the Loew's Monte Carlo Hotel!!......and dining with Innes Ireland?!!!! Gimme a break!

I did a 9 year stint at Automobile with David E., and the good times kept rolling. How about sitting in the bar at the Daytona Beach Hilton with Phil Hill? Having dinner with Emmo in Las Vegas with him telling a story about some guy who crashed his ultralight into a soccer stadium in Brazil and him laughing so hard he couldn't finish the story? Or flying under the high tension wires in Bondurant's chopper with him giggling like a kid? But working with my dear friend David E. was the highlight; a legend of inestimable value to us auto enthusiasts. The best damn editor in the entire magazine business, and thank God he loved cars more than anything else. Like him or not, he is a genius who influenced more people than we can ever calculate.

Sure miss the biz, but it's not even remotely close to what it once was; most, if not all, of the car mags these days just suck. There's no passion, and it hardly appears to be fun. And therin lies the problem- it's all too serious these days. Shame.....

We'll have some fun in Williamsburg!

 

Hello All!

Just a reminder that this event is only 2 weeks away! I was at the planning meeting last night and this is shaping up to be a truly unique and first rate event, in a fantastic setting. It is worth every penny and the Winery have put quite a lot of expense, thought, and staff resources into making this event a success and you will be delighted! We have 25 Ferraris registered (and room for plenty more) and 70 people registered for the Saturday evening, May 2, dinner to hear and meet Derek Daly, see a photo exhibit of the Ferraris at the Chrysler Museum, and a display of Formula One paintings and memorabilia. Please contact Courtney Darden at the Williamsburg Winery to register. See you there!

Courtney Darden: Email: [email protected]
Director of Marketing
The Williamsburg Winery &
Wedmore Place

5800 Wessex Hundred
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Phone: 757-258-0899 Ext 120
Email: [email protected]
www.williamsburgwinery.com
www.wedmoreplace.com

 

Are teenagers welcome? Is anybody bringing kids?

 

Are the cars going to be out for public display anywhere ? Also any way to just participate for the drive and not the dinner/events for those with young kids ?

 

This is going to be a great event, a really nice compliment to the Classics on the James in the fall.

 

HEY JON, thanks for the tour of the winery today, the entry road is paved gravel (none loose) nice grassy area in front of the winery for our F cars. a very nice setting... i will be there with my wife , 6 year old daughter and.. the Daytona.. Chuck Coli ( Richmond)

 

I am bringing my 15 month old daughter, but don't know how long she and the wife will last at dinner. If she starts to cry or act up, my wife will be done and gone with her...

MB

 

Is that how they both act after drinking champagne?

 

I am registered for the full event and we are heading down from the Bmore area Friday AM. Anybody interested in meeting up and driving down together?

CC

 

Well, that is how my wife acts, but I don't know about my daughter she usually falls asleep after you give her a drink or two (of MILK!)

As far as driving down together, I have spoken with a few folks. Let's see how the next week rolls out. I think a few of us in the DC area are going to roll down together, but that depends on what time my wife can get out of here on Friday from school, so we probably won't be rolling out until later on Friday...stay tuned.

MB

 

Yes, absolutely you can do Saturday drive only. There is a "day only" activity fee of $65 per person for either Saturday, or Sunday. This includes everything, food, etc.

Also, ALL weekend, Ferraris will be parked under a 60'x90' tent, with 24-hour security starting mid-day Friday.

The detail and effort everyone is making is incredible. I can say, it is worth every penny. Volunteers on each end to direct cars, police escort, tent, wash station, security, program, souveniers, fine wines, etc... there is no expense spared and no detail overlooked. I have never once heard the owner of the winery ask "how much will this cost". It is just, "sounds like a good idea, let's do it". He is a former F1 team manager, so this is a dream for him... wanted to do this for 15 years.

You can contact Courtney Darden at the Winery. I think they are willing to back the dinner out of the package if one or all of you do not care to do it. I can tell you, it is all inclusive and well worth it. Also, please submit pictures of your car, as we are seeking factory original, unmodified cars as a Concours normally would: [email protected]

Courtney Darden
Director of Marketing
The Williamsburg Winery &
Wedmore Place
5800 Wessex Hundred
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 258-0899 Ext 120
Email: [email protected]
www.williamsburgwinery.com
www.wedmoreplace.com

 

Curtis, what time were you thinking? We weren't planning to head down until the afternoon on Friday, but maybe we could adjust...

- Eric

 

Eric,

Glad you are still going. I thought about leaving between 9 or 10. Miss the AM rush but get down there in time to enjoy some of the day. I have nver been to Williamsburg. I just don't want to get stuck in too much traffic. I am not set in stone for this and can be flexible...

BTW - are you busy this week end? I would like to drop by and check out your lift install if possible.

CC