The Can't Miss California Car Extravaganza - The Quail

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is one of those car show events that sticks with you like a favorite movie in your head. As you replay the day in your mind, you remember each car and its location, each display, even the food you ate, the drinks consumed. Always held on a Friday at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California, this seventeenth annual event was held on August 16^th, 2019.

It was an outdoor garden party on a golf course with 6,000 automotive enthusiasts and intentionally fashion forward guests. But they aren’t just enthusiasts, they are industry leaders, motorsports legends, celebrities, and more. During my second lunch, I shook hands with Adam Carolla while he was looking for a seat. One year Wayne Carini and I walked into the show together. Usually I see Ed Welburn, retired head of GM Global Design and thank him for his contributions. We said hello to Mr. Olympia trainer and owner of Evogen nutrition, Hani Rambod as well.

This year the three special classes were 100 Years of Bentley Motors. The EXP 100 GT Concept car was simply stunning artwork, inside and out. The 25^th Anniversary of McLaren F1 had four incredibly valuable entries which included a one-of-ten GTR Longtail.

The debuts are always fun, some a first for North America, other times world debuts. Some during the early media access, hours, others during general admission. The Lotus Evija EV is stunning, the Bugatti Centodieci, the Bentley previously mentioned, the Acura Type S Concept were just a few.

There was also Pagani Huayra BC Roadster, the Lamborghini SVJ 63 and the Huracan Evo GT Celebration. The Drako GTE from Drako Motors,  from the Barracuda Networks founder Dean Drako is a very attractive sedan. The ultra curvaceous DeTomaso P72, the Rimac based Pininfarina Battista, the Rolls Royce Cullinan in Fux Orange, a custom color for famous Rolls Royce collector Michael Fux.

The Aston Martin Valhalla looked surprisingly subdued in silver, the SSC Tuatara was also featured along with its bare chassis. The Koenigsegg Jesko was also a real treat to see. There was also a display of vintage Volkswagen Vans and cars famous from TV shows and movies.

The Fireside Chats this year were with Mark Webber, winning Formula 1 driver and 2015 WEC champion moderated by Philip Kadoorie. Mark shared interesting insights about competition and friendship. The other was with Alex Hirschi, aka Supercar Blondie, moderated journalist Hannah Elliott who I also enjoy following on Twitter.

The six cuisines offered had amazing dishes and drinks. Be sure to get there early so you can have gourmet meals multiple times during the day. It’s sometimes a challenge to find a seat but whomever you share a table with is always friendly to talk to during the meal. 

It is important to recognize the supported charities which were the Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, The Naval Post Graduate School Foundation, California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The Best of Show award went to a 1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria and the Spirit of The Quail award went to a gorgeous 1957 Ferrari 335S. The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award winner had it’s own display, a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta.

A few minor areas of improvement are needed. With ride sharing being so popular, a shuttle service from the Baja Cantina location would be a good idea, since services like Uber and Lift are not allowed to drop-off at the event itself. The pet dog situation, despite not being allowed, is getting a little much just like any event these days.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is a $650 ticket to incredible cars, a beautiful setting with the hills of Carmel as a backdrop,  includes delicious food and drink, people watching like none other, and truly one of the greatest car events in the world. If you love cars, make a it a life goal to attend someday.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2018 was scrumptious as always!

As the automotive season winds down, it’s time to reflect on one of the most exclusive and special shows of the year. Perhaps a favorite due to the combination of variety and copious portions of gourmet food and drink combined with a positively wonderful and varied display of automobiles. From vintage to modern, sports to luxury, fun-modified to serious low volume manufacturing specialists. This year it was held on Friday, August 24th. 

First mention must be the Peninsula Best of the Best winner, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Coupé Atlantic co-owned by Peter Mullin and Rob Walton. It was chosen after review of various show winners by twenty four automotive experts, designers and motoring world celebrities. A familiar design to Concours attendees, it continues to be celebrated. The best of show winner this year was a 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C, a red convertible of timeless design.  

The fireside chat this year featured now retired race car driver Scott Pruett. After 66 wins, he’s now concentrating on his winery and life as a Lexus brand ambassador. The Fashion in the Fast Lane portion of the Fireside Chat hosted Laura Brown, editor-in-chief of Instyle Magazine and Tamara Mellon, OBE, founder of Tamara Mellon Brand and luxury women’s shoe designer.

There was a special display for Lamborghinis, featuring the Espadas and Isleros models, very rare with only 1217 Espadas produced and just a few hundred Isleros from the late 60s. Very rare indeed. Another special gathering was street and racing Lancias, the ones in racing livery, were particularly colorful and distinctive. 

A more modern themed display was of Alois Ruf reunion of cars based on Porsches. Of course, the CTR Yellowbird with, at the time a mind-blowing 213mph top speed from 1987 was present. Other CTRs from the nineties and two from 2017 were also on hand, a truly special collection of greats. 

The Quail benefits the following charities, Rancho Cielo, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, CHP 11-99, Junior ROTC and North Monterey County High School Marching Band. One of the awareness and fundraising efforts by an entrant that deserves mention is by Uncle Wally, IG handle @Wallyworldusa displaying Brian Jones’ 1965 Porsche 356 C Coupe that was part of the East West 356 Tour 2018, driven across country to fundraise for an ALS cure and treatment with Augies’ Quest. It happened to be part of over 20 356’s on display, celebrating 70 years of existence. 

There are only 5000 guests so while busy, it’s not the crowded experience of trying to get a good picture at every car or turning sideways to get by. The food is spectacular as always, and seating may be challenge at times despite lots of accommodations, its well worth a wait and there’s never a rush. Conversation at a shared table with strangers is always pleasant and interesting. The champagne ran out before the end of the day, the only possible complaint. 

Another absolute treat of attending The Quail are various premiers by automotive manufacturers. Polestar showed the brand new Polestar 1, Karma Automotive showcased the heavily revamped prior Fisker, the Revero. Gunther Werks showed the Sport Touring Porsche 993. A carbon body and floor pan beauty. The Chairman of Lamborghini unveiled the Aventador SVJ, the ‘Ring record holder, which happened to be next to the new Urus. Rolls Royce unveiled a custom designed Phantom for well-known collector Michael Fux. Bugatti introduced the stunning Divo and Hennessey Performance had a Venom F5 with its engine on separate display. 

Other displays were wonderful to behold, and really can only be conveyed in photos and not words. The custom coachwork section, manufacturer displays and more are a site to behold. Luxury vendors from clothing to jewelry to private jet rental/charters. Leaving the show, after spending nearly 10 hours from early media preview, to regular show hours to the after-hours party, which had phenomenal acoustics for an outdoor event, that yearning was already felt, with the 3rd weekend of August not coming soon enough. 

Check out the various albums from The Quail on the San Jose Cars Examiner Facebook page. Classics, Porsches, McLarens, Paganis, Lamborghinis and more! 

The Quail A Motorsports Gathering 2017

The 15^th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering was held on Friday, August 18^th this year, of course held at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California. Always spectacular, there were some exceptional displays that contributed to another memorable experience for the limit of 5,000 attendees.

First, the Best of the Best Award for 2016 was earned by a stunning 1954 Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta by Pinin Farinia.  It won Best in Show at last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and beat seven other contestants after being selected from a panel of twenty-four notable members of the automotive world including leaders of automotive companies, design, collections, famous race car drivers, etc.

The displays were wonderful, Koenigsegg had an unprecedented ten vehicles on display which made for some fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to finally compare the different models side by side. Floyd Mayweather’s was one of them. AMG had an actual engine builder assembling their twin turbo V-8 for all to watch. On the other side of the wall was the powertrain and suspension of the AMG Project One.

Pagani again had their impressive display and this time the Huayra BC, Huayra Roadster and the Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta. Pulling myself away from the Italian craftsmen to the Porsche display where the new 700 horsepower 911 GT2 RS was featured. Of course the 911 GT3 and 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. Conspicuously absent was the Bugatti Chiron and the Ferrari 812 Superfast although both can be expected next year. And yes, there were Veyrons and F12tdfs and a Porsche 959. The infamous Rimac was also there, and speaking to the first owner in the US was an interesting conversation about Electric Vehicles.

There were so many notable displays such as Singer, BMW, Bentley, Acura and their introduction of the Acura ARX-05 DPi race car, Lamborghinis with a Huracan Performante, Rolls Royce and more. I really enjoyed studying the McLaren 720S up close. The cuisine was exquisite as always with menus from Beverly Hills, Carmel Valley, China, Italy and France. Additionally, California Caviar, Louis Roederer Champagne, Hog Island Oysters, Dolce Spazio Gelato are welcome returns. 

It’s important to remember that besides the views, the people watching, the food and drink, the Bonhams auction entry and celebrity/VIP sightings and interviews, the charities supported deserve recognition.  The Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation receive contributions as does the Junior Reserve Training Corps.

The only critique I could make is that too many of the 250 or so cars were parked too close together, making photo opportunities difficult. Traffic is always an issue so the total number of tickets has probably reached the max. Perhaps a bus system should be incorporated like at Pebble Beach.

However I recommend arriving before the 10am start and check out the guest drive cars which this year were the Acura NSX and Lamborghini Huracan. Also check out the Porsche building which has their latest models on display, branded goods for sale, etc. Walking the parking lots, which is a show in itself, is also an option and a judging slip was even offered!

One very clever difference this year was keeping the event open with DJs on either end of the show and the drinks flowing at the bars. Talk about THE place to be before the private parties start! It was announced it was done to alleviate traffic which is very true. It also would keep people from leaving for the “other” show that afternoon and evening in downtown Monterey. I broke the cardinal rule of not to leave one good party to check out another event taking place. It wasn’t comparable, I won’t do that again. So arrive early, have a beverage, walk a lot so you develop an appetite for at least two meals and plan on making a great day out of it. I already can’t wait to go again and see what surprises will be there next year.

Be sure to check out over one hundred photos from the 2017 Quail here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1186960024742040.1073741920.378354382269279&type=1&l=d356df3783

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering was a visual and digestive feast

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering held on Friday, August 18th once again proved itself to be the finest gathering imaginable for cars, food and drink. Held at The Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel Valley, this year it expanded once again and featured another world class gathering of greats.

Pictures can barely capture what is seen in person. The Bugatti Chiron, Bentley’s entire display, Pagani with multiple cars, Singer Porsche, the 50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Miura lined up like a bunch of sexy skittles, 100th anniversary of BMW with a couple of F1s (street and GTR long tail race car) a bunch of Z8s off in the corner, great Ferraris, super cars and much more.

Lamborghini introduced the Centario Roadster and also a present was a Miura Homage Aventador and Huracan Spyder. Porsche had a very clean display with the revered 911R as the centerpiece. Ken Okuyama design introduced a stunning one off V12 front engine roadster called Kode57. This is a judged car show, the winner being a 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina Spyder. The only black Maserati MC12 produced made women and men weak in the knees.

Now in the inaugural year, the The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was awarded to the stunning 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, Chassis No. 90106 Coupé aérodynamique ‘Goutte d’Eau’, Figoni & Falaschi. It was chosen among six of the world’s finest automobiles from top concours events internationally, to compete for the title of the most exceptional car in the world. Of the contenders, the most recent model year was 1968. The judging panel was twenty-four of among the most renowned designers, collectors and enthusiasts. Unfortunately it was in one of the food tents rather on a turntable on prominent display. If you’re a foodie, plan on eating multiple gourmet meals with menus from Beverly Hills, Chicago, New York and Paris.

Among various vendors, the achingly gorgeous stone automobile sculptures from Kellen Silverthorn http://kellensilverthornsculptures.com/ captured the essence of the rolling sculpture at the event. Using a high tech process with careful staging, locations, props, photoshop and expert photography, Unique & Limited s.r.o. from the Czech Republic doesn’t capture magic, they create it with incredible scenes of cars and even aircraft. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen and a must if you collect automotive art. http://www.unique-limited.com/

Outside the show, Porsche has a destination display in itself and on the opposite side, the Bonhams auction took place. The program and poster themselves are collector quality. Of course a car enthusiast would just go crazy here, it’s so good, so overwhelming, when it’s over you don’t even want to leave. You secretly hope a car is left over on the field and you’re asked to drive it away. Instead, you reluctantly leave, the greatness gently tugging at your soul, with memories and photos to hold you over until next year.

Album here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.869913093113403.1073741876.378354382269279&type=1&l=46b1b92b1f

Scott Campbell Photography

The Quail Motorsports Gathering expands in 2015

Not much can be said about The Quail automotive event that hasn’t been already. Held on Friday, August 14th at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel-By-The Sea. It was the must-attend event on that day. When one stays at a “car show” from 8:30am to 4pm as an attendee, you know it is something very special. I was barely able to wrap my head around its awesomeness, I finally set out to experience a variety of cuisines and they were amazing. This year the show expanded across the street at the expense of very close parking to include additional displays, vendors and food tents.

Ferrari was prominently on display this year, whether it was the spectacular custom coachbuilt Ferraris that seemed underappreciated, a gaggle of F50s which is almost unheard of in the US or a couple of LaFerraris with stunning paintwork.

Other categories were the Long Tail Cars of Le Mans, Iconic Pre-1965 Porsches, Pre-War Sports & Racing, Post-War Sports, Supercars, and Sports & Racing Motorcycles. The manufacturer displays were amazing as always. BMW in the center with their colorful 3.0 CSL Hommage R, Bentley had their stunning 1/1 EXP 10 Speed 6, Lamborghini President Stephan Winkelmann presented the world debut of the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster, Pagani had a large display with a bunch of cars cleverly spread out for lots of photo opportunities. Porsche had the 911 GT3 RS and the previous generation RS 4.0. Also, Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Koenigsegg, Lincoln, Maserati, Rolls Royce (that Wraith!) and others all had the latest or amazing on their stages. The stunning Speedback GT, a rebodied, reimagined Jaguar XKR by David Brown Automotive harkened back to the days of custom coachwork sports cars.

Speaking of custom, the Coachbuilt Ferraris were extra special. Based on the blazing fast F12 grand tourer, the elegance of the Touring Superleggera Berlinetta Luso matched the name beautifully. Another highlight was the visit by the Ford GT350s who were racing and hotlapping at nearby Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. And several of those GT350s were brand new if you catch my drift…

The food pavilions featuring the cuisines from Bangkok, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Hong Kong, New York and Paris were absolutely delicious, representing locations of the Peninsula Hotels. Spending the entire day from media preview to close meant sampling nearly everything. Unfortunately, this meant missing the nearby Bonhams Auction although the walk there was like attending an exotic car show in itself. In the other direction, the Porsche Zentrum building featured the Porsche Cayman GT4.

Always entertaining, the Fireside Chat with German Formula One Champion Jochen Mass delighted the crowd with accounts of his 114 Formula One World Championship Grand Prix races while interviewed by Alain de Cadenet. British Sports Car Racing Champion DerekBell and his son, Justin Bell, British race car driver and renowned U.S.-based media personality traded stories from their combined decades-long careers on the main stage .

In the morning, The Honorable Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, joined by William E. Connor and Christian Philippsen opened the day by detailing plans for a new international automotive award, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best. Starting in 2016, the new award will bring together the best of show winners from six of the top concourse events from around the globe to The Quail stage, to compete for the title of the most exceptional car in the world. Truly a destination event in itself.

This year, the Best of Show went to the 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale seen in the slideshow. Exclusive, and expensive, The Quail is a unique and splendid experience that every enthusiast should include on their bucket list.

Album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.695515513886496.1073741863.378354382269279&type=1&l=741e8d23f3

The 2014 Quail A Motorsports Gathering is a Monterey Car Week exclusive treat

The 12th The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering held at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel on Friday, August 15th was another epic gathering of the finest automobiles in the world. Entering through the entrance hall, a perfect sized venue awaits where one should prepare to have your senses reeling.

The exclusive event admission is $550 per adult, $100 for children under 12 for those registered and in the computerized lottery. The event supports Rancho Cielo, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation and the CHP 11-99 Foundation charities. Admission goes far beyond the finest performance oriented automobiles. There were six gourmet food pavilions that had amazing cuisines from around the world. Parking is excellent, and quite honestly, a car show in itself. There was live entertainment and free admission to the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction a walk or shuttle rife to the west side of the property. Also included were signature wines, champagne and cocktails, an event poster and magazine.

One ultra-cool part of the event was the fireside chat with Wayne Carini, Nick Mason, the drummer from Pink Floyd who is an avid collector and racer; Neal Schon, car enthusiast and guitarist from Journey and Santana; and Sir Jackie Stewart, three time Formula 1 world champion.

The first display noticed is the Bugatti Veyron collection. An amazing gathering of rolling sculpture and art, each with over twelve hundred horsepower tucked behind the passenger compartment. These were special editions, “Les Légendes de Bugatti”, honoring some of the more significant people and vehicles in the company’s history with special finishes and designs. Each of the six models is based on the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, all together for the first time.

The Supercars thankfully had a Porsche 918 parked next to an exposed carbon fiber McLaren P1. Outrageously curvy, it was possibly done a disservice due to the unpainted, high tech surface. However there was a green P1 in the parking lot. Conspicuously absent again this year was the LaFerrari.

Special displays were 100th Anniversary of Maserati, Competition Mustangs, a Tribute to India and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Traditional Classes featured included: Pre-War Sports and Racing, Post-War Sports, Post-War Racing and Super Cars, The Great Ferraris and Sports and Racing Motorcycles. Multiple manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln and Porsche also had their latest cars on
display.

Test drives were occurring from Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover, Infiniti, and Cadillac. Lamborghini was also present with their global unveiling of the Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo race car. Jaguar had the F-TYPE Project 7 and the prototype of the new Lightweight EType. A Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed was displayed. With Rolls-Royce was Burgess, the superyacht leader
unveiling their exciting new Waterspeed Collection. The big Bentley display featured the big, bad Continental GT3-R.

After making a quick initial tour of the event before lunch and the crowds, I grabbed a margarita from Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar Rum station. While taking in the moment with a cool breeze, a delicious citrus drink with a sweet kick, Paganis on my left, classic and modern Ferraris in front and on my right with mountains in the background, a kind of nirvana set in. I knew in that moment there was no better place in the world for a car enthusiast. It was an alcohol fuel injected heavenly wonderland for foodies of horsepower and automotive history.

The Quail 2014 photo album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.540483342723048.1073741839.378354382269279&type=1&l=02d20682a7

Spyker Cars engineered for exclusivity

A consistent presence every year during the Monterey Car weekend is something more boutique, artistically crafted and perhaps more exotic than the German and Italian alloy and carbon fiber masterpieces running around. And it is from the Netherlands, a Dutch exotic called Spyker.

I sat down with John Walton, Chief Commercial Officer of Spyker Cars at The Quail this past August to learn more about the Spyker brand. With over sixteen years of experience at Aston Martin, you could say he knows what a fine product should be. Spyker wasvfounded in 1999 and named after the aircraft and automotive manufacturer from 1880 to 1926, Spyker has struggled, but never
compromised their product. It is a niche vehicle by intent, and extremely rare.

The current model in production is the C8 Aileron. Powered by an Audi sourced 4.2 liter, 375hp V-8, it’s extremely stiff aluminum space frame contributes to a very low weight of only 3,139 lbs. Their website has great examples of the artistry that goes into their automobiles. It doesn’t seem right calling them “cars” with exposed and sculpted gear shift linkage, single-hinged scissor lift door and polished turbine-engine-shaped air scoops.

The newest model is the B6 Venator coupe concept and as intended from the beginning, a B6 Venator Spyder is coming. Sculpture, artwork and jewelry are what come to mind rather than sheer performance and competitive numbers. The signature rear taillights are like gems, the body is horizontal statuesque, and the interior is nude metal. Of course, with a supercharged 3.5 liter, 385 horsepower V-6, performance isn’t lacking.

Yes, it is outsourced just as the dual-clutch automated manual transmission or the 6speed automatic.
The Spyker customer seeks exclusivity, certainly appreciates the supple curves of the B6 and C8, the dedicated customer oriented dealership experience with concierge service. The customers don’t track their cars (at least not this one), they don’t read the car magazines, or shop or buy based on test
results and reviews. It is a very special, very boutique car and that is made by craftsmen. You probably haven’t seen one in a long time, if at all. And that is intentional.

The Quail 2013, A Motorsports Gathering overwhelms the senses

 Once again The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering outdoes itself in sheer excellence. Now it will be the only main event for the Friday of the Monterey Weekend which fell on the 16th of August this year. It was just announced today that the competing show is moving to Saturdays.

The Quail is literally is breathtaking in its scope and variety. What sets it apart is manufacturer presence, debuts, culinary delights and of course, a parachutist!  The heavy manufacturer presence made this exclusive event stand out even more, some with world or North American debuts of spectacular models such as the Lamborghini Veneo, Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50th Anniversario Roadster, the Home of Rolls Royce Collection’s Phantom Series II, BMW M4 concept, Spyker B6 Venator Spyder concept, a Bugatti Legend “Jean-Pierre Wimille” model based on a Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse, the Galpin Ford GTR1 and more.

Jim Glickenhaus for the first time showed his custom Ferrari P4/5 and P4/5 Competizione together as well. Other phenomenal standouts included race cars from Toyota, a Bentley Speed 8 and an Audi R18 e-tron Quattro. There were multiple older Lamborghini models, a Jaguar F-Type and XKR-S GT, Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black Series, and more.

Check out the slideshow of the McLarens, Ferraris, Porsches and a Corvette rally that rumbled in with historically significant race cars and two brand new C7 Stingray convertibles. Other significant vintage models included a 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta, Ferrari’s first road car, a 1969 Ferrari 365GTS, a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Short Nose and a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, Long Nose, Torque Tube.
Among numerous significant Astons there was a 1965 DB5 and a 1960 DB4GT. Guest drives were offered by Jaguar, Land Rover and Porsche. A Porsche 918 Spyder was also in the mix.

All this activity and walking makes for a huge appetite and there were six different cuisines to choose from with delicious gourmet foods included in the price of admission. Another temping event that entices the enthusiast that was included in the admission was the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction that featured several multi-million dollar sales.

A shuttle service was conveniently offered for a quick trip while still on the grounds. The biggest and especially fascinating surprise was a fireside chat hosted by the ever so eloquent ex-race car driver Alain de Cadenet interviewing former Ferrari CEO and Team principle and current FIA President ] Jean Todt and seven-time world champion F1 driver Michael Schumacher.

Capped ticket sales kept the dining and seating areas from being overly crowded. It is incredibly easy to spend the day at the show, so if you don’t arrive early and leave early, plan on attending the auction or a very short drive nearby to the Baja Cantina. Be sure to get your tickets early if you want to attend this stunner next year.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2011 Is Stunning!

I don’t know if the 9th annual The Quail was the best so far, but it was the best show I’ve ever attended. What a $400, limited ticket sale admission buys is exclusivity and a perfect sized venue with excellent parking for the aficionado of cars and food. Make that fine automobiles and cuisines. Friday, August 19th was an unforgettable day. Be sure to see the slideshow pictures.

When 9 Bugatti Veyrons are on site in their own section, including two Super Sports, you know you’re in the right place. And then there was a $2,350,000 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport “L’Or Blanc” which features fine porcelain on its body and in its cabin. There was a Pagani Zonda R totally overshadowing a Carrera GT and a Mercedes McLaren SLR 722 despite the bland colored carbon fiber bodywork.

Mr. Horacio Pagani was there presenting the stunning new Pagani Huayra. Intended for the US market but 15 or so are currently declined by the Feds due to airbag technology compliance, it’s an amazing piece of automotive design and engineering.

Not far from the Pagani was an Aston Martin One-77. The fabulous, million-dollar supercar definitely has Aston styling with cues that make it stand apart from the blurring of their other models.

Other outstanding manufacturer themed displays included: Lamborghini presenting the new Aventador, the 50thAnniversary of Jaguar E-Types, Ferrari America and Superamerica Models, new Jaguars, also Mercedes Gullwings and SLSs. Ferrari had a display of the California, the 458 Italia and the brand new, controversial, all-wheel drive FF. Cadillac had a display of V’s, including their CTS-V Coupe race car. Land Rover, Maserati, Audi & Rolls Royce also had outstanding displays.

Fine jewelry vendors were present. A helicopter near the show, assumed some V.I.P.s personal ride, was actually shuttle service to Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca even though Laurels Grade Road is a fun ride too.

Walk around enough and the hunger for exotic cars translates to a craving for food. The menu has cuisines specific to Carmel Valley, Italy, Spain, France and the Mediterranean region.

Other highlights included:

Bonhams & Butterfields two-day auction featuring the famed 1979 BMW M1 “Art Car”
50thAnniversary of Phil Hill’s Formula One World Drivers’ Championship

Riverside International Raceway cars that competed at that location

Sports and Racing Motorcycles

It was a very sad moment of longing when it was time to leave this spectacular display. However, thanks to a parking lot of attendees vehicles equivalent to the Concorso Italiano – Ferraris, Lamborghinis and even a red Porsche Carrera GT, it was a happy goodbye.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is the most expensive “show” during the weekend and quite possibly the best in variety, size and execution. I can't wait for next year.

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