Our friend Sam Posey – architect, artist, author, cerebral television analyst and essayist, model railroad wizard, delightful raconteur and, oh yes, splendid race driver in his day – is the 2013 guest of honor for the 18th Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
Sam Posey is the 2013 Honoree at the annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. [Image courtesy of the Amelia Island Concours Foundation]
“Sam is one of the true gentlemen of motorsport and very respected for his knowledge, insight and dry humor,” says Bill Warner, the event’s founder and chairman of the Amelia Island Concours Foundation which since 1996 has donated nearly $1.8 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc. and other deserving charities in the area. “[Posey] has done so many things so well in racing, and he has that one-of-a-kind style in the commentary booth. Sam is a big supporter of the Concours and has also been a judge and seminar panelist with us. It’s a great pleasure for me to have him in 2013 as our guest of honor.”
The Concours has become an annual destination for racers – old and young – and especially for members of the Road Racing Drivers Club. That’s because RRDC-member Warner has created a compelling weekend with historic race cars clustered among the elegant vintage cars and motorcycles restored to their like-new visage.
Featured automobiles will include many of the cars that Posey raced over the years. There will also be an exhibit of 18 rare Ducati motorcycles.
Seminars are always standing-room-only affairs. [Image courtesy of the Amelia Island Concours Foundation]
Last year’s Great Endurance Drivers Seminar led by historian and author Tim Considine featured the typically compelling panel that is such a draw. To Tim’s left are Jim Hall, Sam Posey, Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman, Vic Elford, Derek Bell, David Hobbs, Gerard Larrousse and Joe Buzzetta. [Image courtesy of the Amelia Island Concours Foundation]
This year’s event will be held as usual at The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton March 8-10 in extreme northeastern Florida. The Concours d’Elegance is staged on the 10th and 18th holes of the golf course.
Among the tasty treats Chef Warner has prepared for participants and guests next month is a Porsche 911 Seminar, a Ford GT40 Seminar, a 50th Anniversary Corvette Sting Ray Seminar and the don’t-miss, invitation-only Mercedes-Benz USA Gala Dinner honoring Mr. Posey.
RM Auctions does what they do over the three days with some brilliant offerings on the blocks. There are exhibits by the Automobilia and Luxury Lifestyle Merchants including test drives, the Automotive Fine Arts Society, a silent auction, the Marque Car Road Tour, manufacturer test drives, the Vintage Fashion Show and the popular Porsche Driving Experience. Add to that fare the fascinating Concours Retail Shop with proceeds from all activities going to various charities supported by the Foundation.