Bill Warner poses with and Hans Stuck, the 2016 honoree at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. [Eddie LePine Photo]
By Eddie LePine
Just like I look forward to going to the 12 Hours of Sebring every March, I look forward to the Amelia Island Concours held the weekend before Sebring.
Founded by Bill Warner in 1996, this year’s 21st annual event was spectacular, with over 315 vehicles on the field for the car show on Sunday. This year’s honored guest was the legendary Hans Stuck, who certainly enjoyed himself all week and was reunited with a large number of his race cars from the past, including the BMW 3.0 CSL, BMW M3, BMW M1, March 761, Shadow DN8, Brabham Alfa Romeo BT45, Audi 200 Quattro and Porsche 962, among others.
Jim McGee and Ray Evernham with the Mario Andretti 1965 Deans Van Lines car being shown for the first time in 50 years at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. [Eddie LePine Photo]
The weather was picture perfect until late in the day on Sunday, when rain showers entered the area just as things were being torn down after the event.
Mario Andretti drove this 1965 Deans Van Lines racecar to a third place finish in the 1965 Indianapols 500. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Bill Warner is once again to be commended for putting on such an outstanding event. In addition to the fantastic car show held every year at the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island, the event has raised over 2.75 million dollars for local charities, including Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Spina Bifida Jacksonville and The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society among others.
The 962C Rothmans Porsche that Hans-Joachim Stuck, Al Holbert and Derek Bell drove to victory at Le Mans in 1987. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Fireball Roberts 1963 Ford NASCAR ride. [Eddie LePine Photo]
Planning is already underway for the 2017 event, and I can’t wait to attend once again.