09 Concorso Italiano

Cool picture, though. OK of the seven heads showing in the red 308's, how many F-chatters recognize their backside?

I missed the fun at the Marina Airport last year so I don't feel as burned as everyone else. If the venue is good, I'll give it a try. Where else am I going to go? Quail isn't for me, even if there were tickets available, but there aren't. But if the venue is questionable, I can learn from everyone else's comments from last year and I'll stay home.

 

Last year's airport venue was so terrible that it completely turned me off to going back this year. It will probably take a year or two at a new venue before I even consider returning. Add to that the fact that the person in charge on site (some doofus with a cowboy hat) is an absolute idiot (that's another story). Two good reasons for me to save my money or go to Quail!

 

Is it just me or are they downplaying the location? Where does it say where they're holding it on the website? I see Monterey and the date but that's it.

http://www.concorso.com/

 

You Talking About Me Again Jeff??? lol lol Dont make me Tow the 40 man...

 

"Monterey Bay" sounds more glamorous than "On the Tarmac".

 

You have to go to the "Map" to see where it will be-- Yes, it's at the airport again.
I went last year and won't be going this year.
I'd rather spend another day at Laguna Seca-- it was very relaxed there last time I went on a Friday.

 

After several years at Concorso, NO MORE! Got tickets to The Quail!!!! Yahoo

 

Does anyone notice anything ironic/interesting about the date of this event and its significance in Ferrari history.....good excuse to drive a Ferrari on that particular day.

 

The email I got from SCM said that it was going to be $150 with an Italian Buffet...
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August 14, 1988 - that is the day Enzo passed away. That would be a great way to remember him.

 

The only chance of saving Concorso is changing the venue from the tarmac. If they go through with that again(which it sounds like they will although they're being sneaky about it and hope you don't notice) it's another nail in the coffin. Move it to a golf course again or equally prestigious location or this event is toast. Hope they're listening.

 

their really forcing the ticket issue,they want your money now so when you find out about the other venue thats happening the same day where all the ferrari's,lambo's,and maserati's are going to be at it'll be to late for you to get your money back,I'm holding out,I heard next week or so they'll have word about itthats why they are hitting it hard back east,becuase back there no one knows how bad it was on a hot tarmac,the other venue is going to be on grass and under tree's,look under the northern california forums,then decide

 

I don't know if I'll go to the tarmac, but I always go to the auctions.

 

No thanks.. I spend enough time at airports already!

 

I know a LOT of people who will not be there who have gone almost every year in the past if it is at the airport.

 

This is the reply I received when I asked about the venue:

"The event will not be at the airport again, we will announce our new location once we've signed a contract...hopefully that will be very soon! Thank you for your patience,"

I went last year and was very dissapointed in the choice of venue, they may have killed a once great event, sad to see. Hopefully they can recover with new ownership and get it back to where it once was in terms of a must do on the Monterey Weekend.

 

Got my two tickets for Quail instead.

 

The last ownership group had signed a multi-year contract to get the Airport location on short notice last year (Bayonette was supposed to be ready after improvements, but in Jan or Feb it became clear that it wouldn't be done by August.)

My guess is that a condition of the buyout by the new group was to break the contract at the airport.

I personally had communicated to the last group's media liaison that many of the journalists (including some working for sponsors of the event) were very upset by the venue. I even quoted a well-known writer for a major collector vehicle magazine -- he told me "the airport setting made it feel like a really good local car show, not a concours."

The only way I like cars on concrete is in the case of the Carmel Concours or similar examples. Perfectly executed town-center type of show.

I'm glad they are going to be somewhere else, but I wonder where it will be? Maybe back to one of the golf courses?

In any event, I'm not planning on flying down this year. This is my first summer in my new house...and already one of my daughters will be at camp in July. Hoping to actually have some "family time" on the beach here in August. I might send someone down to cover the shows for my column.

And I boycott Quail. Too elitist -- snobby...the operation goes out of its way to lie, ignore etc...to prevent anyone other than the "back-scratchers' club" from getting in and writing about it. All the other events there are very nice to deal with as a member of the media -- Concorso, RM and Russo and Steele especially.

 

check this out www.montereybayconcours.com who's going? CI is not going on the grass city is going to vote on it soon and maybe to late..............lol

 

That's interesting. I was having reservations as to go or not after last year. While there are plenty of other events to go to, I always find the Concorso my main reason for flying out to Monterey. I don't have much interest in the Quail - very nice grounds but I don't care for the pomposity plus they have too many cars that just don't interest me. If the Concorso ends up being held at the airport again I definately will consider the Balckhorse. Looks like my hotel reservations may not go to waste after all.

 

Maybe this is good news. I wish the new owners well!

Dear Fellow Enthusiast,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tom McDowell. I recently acquired the Concorso Italiano from Jack and Leslie Wadsworth. For many years, the Concorso has been a trend setting show with many traditional aspects that all have anticipated and enjoyed each year. From humble beginnings in the early 90s evolved a special camaraderie that most of you have shared. The founders, Frank and Janet Mandarano, brought in legendary Italian personalities who were honored to be part of the experience of being with you, their fans, in a one-on-one basis on a lush green lawn surrounded by the cars they had designed, raced, or engineered.

I understand well, that great moment when Piero Ferrari, Sergio Pininfarina and Luigi Chinetti Jr. drove up on stage with Piero driving the 3-seat Ferrari Dino Concept and the three of them began discussing their fathers and their lives in their father's business. The huge audience gathered in and around the overflowing bleachers. Their questions were answered - all in good humor - and the cacophony from the paparazzi cameras signaled this was something very special, and it was!

We, the new Concorso owners, believe that holding the 2008 event at the Marina airport was an unfortunate decision. It will not happen again. We seek to quickly return the Concorso experience back to the one you have known in the past.

I have now been the owner of CI for two weeks and have had time to speak with several past guests, and read the letters and press reports. Clearly, many of you take a more personal interest in this gathering of fellow enthusiasts and perhaps have a "protective" and/or somewhat "territorial" feeling about it. You may even feel cheated or let down.

Like many of you, I am not pleased with this unwelcome turn of events and vow here and now to correct Concorso Italiano. It will be steered back to its core beginning-to a place we all enjoyed for the right reasons.

SO AFTER ALL THE TALKING IS DONE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

We plan to return Concorso to a beautiful golf course on the peninsula in 2009. A classic car should always be displayed on a green lawn. The venue will be agreed upon shortly. Our goals for the provision of a wonderful dining experience at a reasonable cost and the experience you all should expect, are at the forefront of our minds.

That said, we would like to hear directly from you about your own expectations and special things you might like to see at this very special event. We want to know what you, the true enthusiasts, are thinking. Please email us at [email protected] or call (425) 742-0632. We are most serious about making Concorso Italiano the first-rate experience for you, your families, and your friends that it has been in the past. We will be listening. And we plan to make the 2009 gathering one to remember.

Very truly yours,
Tom McDowell
Mercer Island WA.

 

I just now got the same lettler in my e-mail,funny timing? and the race is on!