BILL WARNER’S 21st AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS

By Club News

Amelia Island, GA, March 16, 2016 – The 21st edition of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Auction was staged this past weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Resort on one of Georgia’s most scenic barrier islands. Bill Warner’s charity shindig drew a record 315 concours entries and thousands of guests to visually embrace a stunning array of rare, historic, beautiful and odd-ball conveyances sprinkled around the golf course.

For automotive and motorsports aficianados, Amelia Island is a magnet, not only for the cars but for the people. You’ll run into a goodly assortment of the industry’s elite, and you’ll never find them more relaxed because this weekend is all about what’s really fun in this business.

There’s always a guest of honor, and this year that mantle fell to two-time Le Mans victor and 1985 World Sports Car Champion Hans Stuck, who succeeds Sir Stirling Moss as honoree.

In addition to the Concours, fine car auctions, fascinating seminars, eclectic displays, book and memorabilia signings, silent auctions, test drives, tours and several food-oriented gatherings – banquets and breakfasts – there was a display of some of Stuck’s racecars, a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of BMW, the 50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Miura, a collection of “Concepts Beyond Detroit”, John Greenwood’s Corvettes, and special marques Bizzarrini, Pegaso and Cord, plus the Porsche 935… amongst other goodies, including awesome cars for sale and rent. So If you’ve every thought where can I sell my Porsche with no hassle or any other luxury car, there are expert companies online who can give you a fair valuation.

RRDC members at Amelia Island for the festivities included Bill Auberlen, Bob Bailey, Roger Bailey, Derek Bell, Ross Bremer, Peter Brock, Bruce Canepa, Luigi Chinetti Jr., Harley Cluxton, Miles Collier, Tom Cotter, Dave Cowart, Chuck Dressing, Vic Elford, Hurley Haywood, David Hobbs, William Jeanes, Carl Jensen, Charlie Kemp, Tommy Kendall, Bob Leitzinger, Tom Malloy, Jochen Mass, Tom Milner, John O’Steen, Doug Peterson, Sam Posey, Brian Redman, Boris Said, Lyn St. James, Murray Smith, Alwin Springer, Ken Squier, Judy Stropus, Hans Stuck, Ed Swart, Bob Tullius and, of course, Bill Warner. If we left you off, we apologize.

Here’s a collection of images from the weekend by our always-on-the-job scribe, Judy Stropus (click each thumbnail below for a larger version with caption):

A collection of Trans-Am cars by the pond, known locally for its fatal attraction for golf balls.
Sam Posey’s brother Nick Moore and wife Leslie.
Carmel Concours organizer Doug Friedman (left) with Amelia Island program editor Chuck Queener and our man David Hobbs (right).
And Dan Simmons (left) with John O’Steen.
Amelia Island just makes people happy – Lyn St. James and Mike Mereness.
Iconic race trophies from around the world were on display in the Ritz-Carlton lobby, the most recognizable in this photo being the Indianapolis 500 trophy on the left.
Concours judges Sam Posey (left) and Peter Brock hanging outside the judges’ meeting room.
Bob Leitzinger enjoys chat with Carl Jensen (right) while Tom Malloy (center) is getting the word that his Cobra won Best in Class at the Concours.
The dapper Brian Redman and his lovely bride Maid Marion.
A very special thanks to Sports Car Digest for this shot of Hans Stuck and virtually every racecar he has driven – the lead photograph for the site’s feature article on the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. [SportsCar Digest image]
Derek Bell with (l-r) Concours judges Stephen Roby, Harvey Cluxton and Roger Bailey.
In a format popularized by RRDC President Bobby Rahal, host Derek Bell interviews 2016 Honoree Hans Stuck (right).
Alwin Springer on the big screen at the “Power Brokers” seminar.
Bill Warner moderates the Power Broker’s seminar with Alwin Springer and Roger Bailey.
Droll hall of famers William Jeanes and Chuck Dressing with William’s wife Susan on the left.
Tom Milner was head of BMW Motorsports in the U.S.
Judy Stropus does not seem that short until she stands between Boris Said and Hans Stuck. [Ushi Stuck image]
Sam Posey chats with seminar guest.
Moderator Bill Warner and the BMW motorsports panel (l-r): Dave Cowart, Boris Said, Bill Auberlen, John Fitzpatrick, David Hobbs, Sam Posey, Brian Redman and Hans Stuck.
A pair of Bob Akin’s Porsche racecars: 962 (foreground) and 935, both driven by Amelia Island honoree Hans Stuck.

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