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Concorso Italiano, Saturday August 15, 2015

George PGeorge PAdmin.
The Concorso is about 2 months away. Concorso Italiano Web Site

It is part of the west coast's big annual classic car multi-event gathering. It is billed as the largest Italian car show in the world. It is also the one event each year in which the De Tomaso entrants are directly hosted by Pantera International (i.e. Debbie and I). We always look forward to meeting new people, and getting reacquainted with old friends too.

We sincerely hope you'll consider joining us this year, if not as an exhibitor, at least as a spectator. Yes the hotel rates go up during this week, but there are ways around this, contact me for ideas. We'd love to have you join us at the lovely hotel where we stay! Remember, exhibitors at the Concorso are representatives for De Tomaso owners world wide, we need to make a good showing for the marque, and bring our exhibitor numbers back-up because the more exhibitors we have the more respect we get from the event organizers. And of course the more exhibitors we have, the more the world takes notice of our marque.

The event is held at the Black Horse Golf Course in the city of Marina, a beautiful setting with the Monterey Bay in the back ground. And of course the entire week's events are held in the beautiful environs of Monterey and Carmel California, and California's scenic central coast. There are several car shows, auctions, the Laguna Seca Historic Races (which are renamed this year "Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion"), the Pebble Beach Concourse, etc. There is lots to see and lots to do.

The event organizer promised last year that the De Tomaso corral would be located closer to the stage show, i.e. in the center of activity and the center of spectator attention. We expect our corral to be bustling with even more foot traffic this year than we had last year. The Concorso is more than just a car show, there is food to sample, a fashion show, live music, interviews of auto industry luminaries, vendors, and much much more. The event's organizers put-on quite an event. It is also your opportunity to make new acquaintances among the De Tomaso entrants. As far as car shows go, this one has the most to offer in terms of sights and activities, there's way more to do than "just" walking around looking at cars or sitting next to your car in a lawn chair. Spouses and significant others will not be bored or disappointed.

Our corral is one of only a few to offer dual awards programs for our entrants.
(1) Three entrants shall be chosen for the stage show, where they shall receive awards from the Concorso for First, Second And Third best De Tomaso of show. The First place recipient shall return to the stage to be judged with all the other first place recipients for "Best Car of Show". A DeTomaso has never won the Best of Show, it has been a personal goal to see this happen. We came very very close last year!
(2) Our corral also offers a popular judging program with trophies awarded by Pantera International in four categories: unique De Tomaso's, concourse cars, drivers, and customs.

Debbie and I try to have a gift for each entrant too, to show our gratitude for their participation.

We hope to see you there.

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lf-tp2511lf-tp2511Member
quote:
The event organizer promised last year that the De Tomaso corral would be located closer to the stage show, i.e. in the center of activity and the center of spectator attention.

I've attended every Concorso since 2001, except the year the organizers moved it to the Seaside airport. Confused

At last year's return to Black Horse, many of us initially viewed our placement as less than ideal. But as the day continued, we realized the spectator parking entrance/exit path did a great job of bringing most if not all spectators through our display.

We also realized, after wandering into the Sea-of-Red in the center of the displays, that our wide open display area afforded WIDE walking paths between our cars. (Did you SEE how close all those Dancing Donkeys were parked?!!)

Wide space around your cars is a good thing at Concorso, where oversized purses, cameras and God-Knows-What-Else can easily scratch paint. Space also encourages viewers to linger, ask questions and spend time learning about our cars and owners. Plus all that room left plenty of space for folding chairs and blankets, near our cars and not all jammed together.

My point being I'd love to be more in the center of things......

BUT, if it means settling for 24" paths between cars and no space for chairs and blankets, I'd prefer and be quite happy returning to the same spot we occupied last year.

My 2¢

Larry

2511 is the only car in George's four photos with an open decklid and trunk.
George PGeorge PAdmin.
The cars were indeed spaced "unusually far apart" last year, in years past we've been pretty cramped, its usually difficult to fit all our exhibitors in the space allotted. All we can do is wait and see, if we're unhappy I'll ask Tom to make adjustments for 2016.

In 2007 we had 60 exhibitors, but 2008, the year the event was held at the airport mentioned by Larry, our exhibitor count dropped to 25. The number of registered exhibitors has been around 35 to 40 each year since then (we always have a few no shows). I'd sure like to see some old faces return, and some new faces join us. It would be wonderful if the number of exhibitors grew this year. Folks from the Reno/Tahoe area, more from the central coast, central valley, nor Cal, bay area, Sacramento etc. And more from southern California & San Diego areas too.
joulesjoules"Racing is Life, anything before or after is just waiting" - Steve McQueen
I didn't attend last year as it was midst my relocation to Calgary. That said it's unlikely I'd drive the Pantera down from Canada for the event this year, but do intend to be in Monterey (probably with the GT40).

I'm foremost there for the historic racing......
I just looked and the historic racing program has not changed at all to accommodate the Concorso move from Friday to Saturday.

Julian
lf-tp2511lf-tp2511Member
quote:
the historic racing program has not changed at all to accommodate the Concorso move from Friday to Saturday

True. But if it did, that would sort of be like the tail wagging the dog, wouldn't it?

I enjoy the Historics every year, but as I am not a heavy-duty racing afectianodo I know I'm missing a lot of background on the various classes. Thus, while I usually do head to the main grandstands or up on the hill where Garth traditionally sits, WHAT class is racing is of secondary importance.

Now, I DO love the Can-ams and the Trans-am classes and if they run when I'm there, fine.

But I learned last year on Friday that the pit row experience (where many of us spend the majority of time) was much less stressed and crowded on that day, which made up for the loss of watching any particular class usually not seen until Saturday.

The whole damn week is still Disneyland for auto guys. One can never see it all.

Larry
sjdennissjdennisMember
Unfortunately I won't be able to come this year Frowner Bummer

I have a wedding to attend in the Sacramento area with a bunch of family that weekend.

I was there last year before I had a Pantera and I must say it was the catalyst to get me a little more serious about getting one! My friend and I spent a LOT of time in the Pantera Corral talking to the owners and asking all of those questions you've all heard and answered a hundred times before!

I must say that the spacing of the Panteras was very good IMO. The other "Bull" and "Horse" areas seemed a little tight. Also, like someone pointed out we got the stop and chat both coming and going to the main event stage etc.

I really look forward to bringing my Pantera down next year and meeting some of you and putting faces to names on this forum!

Have a great event!

Dennis
7260
joulesjoules"Racing is Life, anything before or after is just waiting" - Steve McQueen
I'm thinking about coming along, but it appears there isn't a non-Italian registration? CI have what they refer to as Global Exotics, but it refers to a pavilion etc. is that where I should register? Or can I get away with it being a new model of De Tomaso Big Grin like that Mangusta "Prototype"

Thanks,
Julian
George PGeorge PAdmin.
for several years there has been a corral for non-Italian marques. It has grown to be a fairly large corral. I suppose "global exotics" is the new name for the corral?

Don't let the "Pavillion" thing throw you, each marque with over 30 registrants has a "Pavillion", that's the name for the fancy tent where they serve coffee & pastries.
Last edited by George P
George PGeorge PAdmin.
I've received the first field coordinator's package from the Concorso organizers. There shall be 3 other packages in the weeks to come.

So far we have 38 exhibitors. 4 of which are Mangustas. The rest are Panteras. No Vallelungas, Longchamps or Deauvilles. Besides the typical California exhibitors (whom I appreciate with my whole heart) there are exhibitors attending from Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Louisiana. I appreciate the exhibitors coming from so far. John Buckman, the POCA pres is coming from the San Diego area, as he has always done. But what about the rest of you folks, especially those who live closer to the event? The De Tomaso marque deserves better representation. Especially from Southern California.

We have spent more than twice the amount on trophies this year compared to what we have ever spent on trophies in the past! They are beautiful silver cups on rosewood bases. I'll post pictures when they arrive. There are roughly trophies for 25% of the exhibitors. So as the number of exhibitors grow, so shall the number of trophies we purchase in the future.

Plus, as it has become a custom, we shall have gifts for each exhibitor. I'm not telling what they are this year, its always a surprise. Last year it was De Tomaso coffee mugs, the year before it was live orchids. The ladies loved the orchids.

The idea is to come, participate, hang out with the rest of us, have a good day, a MEMORABLE day, and enjoy the show. Help represent our marque. Its actually a very enjoyable experience. Its not too late to register. Phone us if you want to talk about it. Contact me if you need lodging ideas.

Debbie and I shall have lunch in Monterey near cannery row on the day after the Concorso, as we do every year. This year that shall be Sunday, August 16. Anybody who would like to join us is herein officially invited. Debbie and I would love to spend time with you. It only takes a spark to get a fire growing.
George PGeorge PAdmin.
Larry the maps I received in the first packet make it appear we are in the same area as last year, near entry gate #2. Next to Fiat, Lancia & Maserati. Its been normal for us to be placed next to Maserati since Tom purchased the Concorso. Thus I have a good relationship with the gentleman who runs the Maserati corral (Don Treadwell). The non-Italian cars (global exotics) are now north of us, whereas last year they were south of us. That corral is getting bigger year by year. Ferrari still accounts for 1/2 of the exhibitors however. It also appears the stage show may have been moved further south (further away from the club house). The area where the stage show was is now the Lamborghini area.

I have no complaints since this means I have less walking to do (its uphill to the club house).

If something changes regarding our location I'll announce it.

FYI - this is all preliminary stuff, we go through this process every year, we receive several packets in the closing weeks. And then we all meet, on-site, the day before the event.
George PGeorge PAdmin.
Two announcements.

#1 - Tom McDowell notified me today that Bruce Kvale, son of Kjell Kvale, shall be at the Concorso this year. Kjell Qvale was the man behind US importation and sales of the original Mangusta in the 1960s. Bruce Qvale was the man behind the Qvale Mangusta project circa 2000 to 2002. There will be a Qvale Mangusta going across the Concorso stage late in the morning, and Bruce will be there providing commentary.

#2 - The trophies arrived, they are gorgeous. But my camera batteries are dead! They are currently charging. Pictures to come. Sorry about that.
George PGeorge PAdmin.
Debbie and I are headed for Monterey tomorrow morning (Thursday). Anyone staying where we are (hint: Aptos)? Wanna hook-up for dinner or drinks Thursday evening?

We'll be at the golf course almost all day Friday for the field coordinator meeting, and to receive early arrivals from 3PM to 6PM.

It appears we have 41 registered exhibitors.

We hope to see you there.
garth66garth66"When speed is the only thing that counts"
quote:
for several years there has been a corral for non-Italian marques. It has grown to be a fairly large corral. I suppose "global exotics" is the new name for the corral?

Concorso does have a non-Italian corral. This is where they relegate you if you have an Italian exhibitor pass but didn't get your car finished in time for the show. This happened to me a couple years ago, so I drove my 69 Cutlass convertible in and was directed straight to the non-Italian corral. Got a lot of comments along the way when I came in about my "rare Eye-talian Cutlass." I just told everyone if was Bizzarini-powered! Smiler

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