09 Concorso Italiano

It's encouraging that they acknowledged the problem. I was getting a bit miffed at all the marketing spam in my inbox that pretended nothing had gone wrong.

It was a great event prior to last year. I'll be interested to see what venue they choose.

 

but it still lacks of where it will be and if they really have anything,at least www.montereybayconcours.com when posted they already have in place a spot to be held at and not begging you to buy up tickets now when not showing you what they have in the works,but what ever they have in the works goes in front of the council tomorrow and the city may not approve it to have it on the golf course,it also shows you they are monitoring this site on the feed back from CI

 

I don't see anything above that "appears" to either come from them or was prompted by anything herein - Maybe someone should forward 'em a link to this thread. (FWIW)

I too received the mail recently and at least it appears they're *trying* to fix last years "debacle". OTOH, an event owner based in Kenticky can't exactly "liase" (sp?) with the "locals".......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Seems like the www.montereybayconcours.com is the choice for now. CI pushing tickets when they don't even have their ducks in a row is cheesey. My vote would certainly be for www.montereybayconcours.com based on what I see. Anyone would be nuts to buy tickets at this stage as it's easily a wait and see who has the best party to attend Based on past year faux pas some hard questions would need to be addressed by either venue to make sure it doesn't turn into a cluster i.e. parking arrangements etc. It's good to see something that may give the elitist, Quail snob fest a run for their money.

 

there will be a concours of Italian cars at black horse,and it will be great,I'm sure that after the words greats around and some contact the owners that are putting it on like giving them your suggestions and so,it'll be as good as CI was or better,later this week more info will be on the site like registration for the cars and events,I'll see you all there this is worth the wait,www.montereybayconcours.com

 

I think I and some Lambo buddies will end up in Monterey at a park with an Hibachi given all this craziness...

-mick

 

which day or the historics races at laguna seca?

 

Saturday is always lots of fun, try to get a corral pass. Wear comfortable shoes.
Haven't seen the schedule for this year, but Sunday usually has Can-Am and Trans-Am races.
Heavy Metal!

 

So the guy says the 3 of Them drove up in the "Dino Concept"? Wasnt it the Dual Dino Concept/ 365P?

 

Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course, once the home of Concorso Italiano, will be the host of a new Italian car event.

La Dolce Vita-Automobili at Black Horse will be held Friday, August 14, 2009 on the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. Founding Partner Kerry McMullen shares, “When we learned a former Italian car event was no longer going to be held at this incredible site, we immediately approached the owners who were excited to host a quality event”. La Dolce Vita promises a “back to our roots” approach to displaying Italian cars and motorcycles on the green. “This will be an enthusiast’s event organized by enthusiasts”, notes Founding Partner Jerry Kaye.

Concorso Italiano, now under the new ownership of Tom McDowell is also soon to announce a new location for, what has been an extremely popular show. Whether they compete for the same audience on the same day will be interesting.
McMullen and Kaye formed Monterey Bay Concours LLC and established La Dolce Vita in an effort to share their passion for Italian cars with others and to create a comfortable “car guy” environment that is owner-centric. McMullen is President and CEO of MIE Corporation, the largest Maserati parts supply and technical network in the world. He also operates Maserati Club International with 2000 members worldwide. Kaye is no stranger to Italian car events and is a Founding Partner of La Belle Macchine d’ Italia. Held each year in the Poconos, the event attracts a large number of enthusiasts from all over the world. Both own their fair share of Italian automotive machinery. McMullen personally owns three Maserati cars and Kaye owns a beautiful collection of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati and Rolls-Royce cars.

La Dolce Vita has significant support from members of the Italian car community. To date, Alfa Romeo, Fiat/Lancia, Maserati, DeTomaso and several other Italian car clubs are excited for the new event and anxious to resume the annual trek to Black Horse. Numerous Ferrari and Lamborghini owners from around the country have expressed interest in displaying at the event as well. Niche media partners www.VeloceToday.com, Garage Style Magazine www.myVRL.com and www.SportsCarDigest.com speak to the serious enthusiast and it is this vein that runs thick through the event. “We want car owners and enthusiasts to enjoy each other’s cars and company in a relaxed and friendly environment, this will not be a carnival”, notes McMullen. The event is encouraging people to “come see what’s new” at Black Horse while picnicking amidst live music and chatting with old and new friends.

When asked why the team chose Black Horse as the site of La Dolce Vita, Kaye observes, “Black Horse is experienced at hosting an event of this magnitude and knows how to treat car owners properly. The venue has outstanding accessibility with multiple ingress and egress compared to most other golf courses and resorts on the peninsula”. Logistics on this scale do not come without a price tag and a great deal has been invested to assure affective parking and crowd control procedures. “We have a system in place that offers safe and secure parking for spectators that will also bring them to the main entrance in a timely fashion without aggravation”, says McMullen.

While the event is focused on Italian cars, featured marque cars from other Monterey Car Week events will be welcomed with open arms to a special display section at the event. “We want people to have choices. There are enough cars and enthusiasts on the Monterey Peninsula each August to support multiple events that will offset unbearable crowds”, says Kaye. Friendly rates have been established for entrants and spectators and the event will admit ages 17 and under free of charge with an adult. “We are encouraging families to visit our event as it’s very important to us to foster education of and passion for automobiles with future generations”, remarks McMullen. Charitable aspects and special features will be announced soon.

 

This McCullen guy sounds like he knows what he's doing. Let's see how things fall into place.

 

Dates for Historics are Aug. 14-16. I will be there starting the 13th. Possibly before that if I get the time off. Have to be sure I'm there on Thursday for the Rolex Drivers Dinner. Last year was great. Got to see all the Toyota Race of Champions Drivers be introduced. Was a lot of fun.

Hey Mike! Be sure to hook up with me when you go.

 

Egad, this is getting complicated. To CI or not, that is the question. But we don't know where they are going to be. We sort of know how much they want to charge, but setting pricing at this stage seems premature. Where will I go? Man, you got me. I always go to CI, but skip[ped last year because it was too far out of Monterey to be a Monterey event and at the airport which is not a nice place to hang around under the shady trees with your buddies eating, drinking and talking cars. So, I wait. First event to get their sheit totally together and has a strong Ferrari club presence, I go - maybe.

It shoudl be easier than this to plan a vacation to Monterey...

 

got this e-mail today,boy I don't know,but I'm going to black horse I've sent in my event form already for my car
A letter from Tom McDowell & Concorso Italiano

New Location Identified
Another week has gone by and I wanted to update you on the progress of our hunt for, and securing of, the proper venue for the event.

Good communication between us will go a long way towards rebuilding and maintaining the enthusiasm Concorso Italiano once commanded within the Italian car community.

It has not been easy, but we have zeroed in on a location that should be very workable.
It is a well known golf course, well located, with excellent access, terrific on-site parking for spectators, and in a very sunny area of Monterey. The golf course management and I have agreed on the terms and we are in the process of "inking the deal". As you might guess, a venue of this caliber is considerably more expensive than in prior years, but we are holding the line on ticket prices. I should have a confirmation before the end of this week if not sooner. This is sensational news.

Your letters and responses
The wave of emails and phone calls I received from you continue to impress and humble me. I also appreciate the time you took to respond to my request for suggestions. A great percentage of the responses were very supportive, informative and helpful. I really want to find out what you, the enthusiast, wants to see in the event, and I got an earful. Many of your suggestions will be implemented. Please keep them coming. Following are some samples:

"The cars are the first consideration, of course, but a diamond is most beautiful in the right setting."
C.B. San Jose, CA

"Anything you can do to recreate the magic Concorso once held is most welcome."
E.R. San Francisco, CA
(Maserati)

"Provide more spectator seating in different areas to allow casual picnicking and watching of the activities."
D.T. Pasadena, CA

"The personalities are certainly a major part of this event, but regarding the cars themselves, my primary suggestion to you would be to make a concerted effort to bring out more of the older cars and of course their owners."
D.B. Vista, CA
(Ferrari)
"The most important thing for us has always been the relaxing and inspiring atmosphere created by a mix of good food, friendly service, wonderful cars and beautiful surroundings."
R.M. Auburn, CA
(Porsche)

"Easy ingress and egress in and out of the event: Exhibitors should have a separate route in, COMPLETELY separated from the spectator route to the show."
G.R. San Jose, CA
(Pantera)

"Do not "over hype" the event with gold class this and premium that; we are car enthusiasts and don't need to be marketed into economic and social classes; sincerity and true love of cars and their owners rather than status and airs. Understand rather that overstated."
R.V. Los Angeles, CA
(Ferrari)

"This is a fine red wine group who want to talk speed and fire up their engines for an admiring enthusiast. Beautiful models, Italian cars and special guests make you feel like you are in Italy just that much more."
S.Z. Danville, CA
(Porsche)

I will try to update you again next week.

I look forward to meeting, talking with, and/or corresponding with each and every one of you.
Best regards,
Tom McDowell
Mercer Island, WA

 

AUBURN, WASHINGTON (March 05, 2009) –

La Dolce Vita-Automobili at Black Horse will be held Friday, August 14, 2009 on the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. Founding Partner Kerry McMullen shares, “When we learned a former Italian car event was no longer going to be held at this incredible site, we immediately approached the owners who were excited to host a quality event”. La Dolce Vita promises a “back to our roots” approach to displaying Italian cars and motorcycles on the green. “This will be an enthusiast’s event organized by enthusiasts”, notes Founding Partner Jerry Kaye.

McMullen and Kaye formed Monterey Bay Concours LLC and established La Dolce Vita in an effort to share their passion for Italian cars with others and to create a comfortable “car guy” environment that is owner-centric. McMullen is President and CEO of MIE Corporation, the largest Maserati parts supply and technical network in the world. He also operates Maserati Club International with 2000 members worldwide. Kaye is no stranger to Italian car events and is a Founding Partner of La Belle Macchine d’ Italia. Held each year in the Poconos, the event attracts a large number of enthusiasts from all over the world. Both own their fair share of Italian automotive machinery. McMullen personally owns three Maserati cars and Kaye owns a beautiful collection of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati and Rolls-Royce cars.

La Dolce Vita has significant support from members of the Italian car community. To date, Alfa Romeo, Fiat/Lancia, Maserati, DeTomaso and several other Italian car clubs are excited for the new event and anxious to resume the annual trek to Black Horse. Numerous Ferrari and Lamborghini owners from around the country have expressed interest in displaying at the event as well. Niche media partners www.VeloceToday.com, www.GarageStyleMagazine.com, www.AutoBooks-AeroBooks.com, www.myVRL.com and www.SportsCarDigest.com speak to the serious enthusiast and it is this vein that runs thick through the event. “We want car owners and enthusiasts to enjoy each other’s cars and company in a relaxed and friendly environment, this will not be a carnival”, notes McMullen. The event is encouraging people to “come see what’s new” at Black Horse while picnicking amidst live music and chatting with old and new friends.

When asked why the team chose Black Horse as the site of La Dolce Vita, Kaye observes, “Black Horse is experienced at hosting an event of this magnitude and knows how to treat car owners properly. The venue has outstanding accessibility with multiple ingress and egress compared to most other golf courses and resorts on the peninsula”. Logistics on this scale do not come without a price tag and a great deal has been invested to assure affective parking and crowd control procedures. “We have a system in place that offers safe and secure parking for spectators that will also bring them to the main entrance in a timely fashion without aggravation”, says McMullen.

While the event is focused on Italian cars, featured marque cars from other Monterey Car Week events will be welcomed with open arms to a special display section at the event. “We want people to have choices. There are enough cars and enthusiasts on the Monterey Peninsula each August to support multiple events that will offset unbearable crowds”, says Kaye. Friendly rates have been established for entrants and spectators and the event will admit ages 17 and under free of charge with an adult. “We are encouraging families to visit our event as it’s very important to us to foster education of and passion for automobiles with future generations”, remarks McMullen. Charitable aspects and special features will be announced soon.

Plan on attending the inaugural event to see what special attractions are planned. Read more at www.ladolcevitamontereybay.com.

Do I assume this is the "new" CI?

 

I think what is going on is really stupid. Quail, Monterey Bay at Black Horse, and, if the new owner of Concourso Italiano can get the deal finalized for a yet undisclosed location, there will also be Concorso Italiano all on friday.

This history of CI and the new Black Horse event is a bit convoluted, but here it is:

Frank Mandarano owned Concorso Italiano and MIE, the Maserati parts place. Mandarano then sold MIE to Kerry McMullen. Mandarano still owned Concorso Italiano..

About 3 years ago, Mandarano sold Concorso Italiano to Jack and Leslie Wadsworth. They recently sold it to Tom McDowell

Kerry McMullen is now putting on the Black Horse show, in addition to owning MIE.

Tom McDowell is planning to have CI at a yet undisclosed location, and is supposedly finalizing the details.

There hasn't been a connection between MIE and Concorso Italiano for some time.

 

No, it's NOT the new CI. Se the above post...

 

I will be staying at the track the whole weekend whether my boss gives me the time off or not. I'll just call in or just tell him I have to be there. Rob hasn't mentioned anything yet. But I can work something out to get him there on Saturday.