David Hobbs, the 1971 Formula 5000 and 1983 SCCA Trans-Am champion, has been named Grand Marshal of the 2024 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, presented by DeFoor Brothers and hosted by Fifty Plus Foundation Inc.
The fifth annual event, which supports the NeuroScience Innovation Foundation, will be held in and around Chattanooga’s West Village, on October 11-13, 2024.
Hobbs becomes the fifth Grand Marshal since the Festival was established in 2019, following Brian Redman, Corky Coker, Lyn St. James and Luigi Chinetti Jr., respectively.
Nine-time sports-car racing champion Redman returns again this year as Grand Ambassador. Coker, a local businessman and car collector, St. James, the 1992 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, and Chinetti Jr., race-car driver, designer and son of famed Ferrari driver and importer Luigi Chinetti, will be recognized as Grand Marshal Emeriti.
Hobbs is one of auto racing’s most remarkable all-rounders. In a 31-year driving career he raced in almost every imaginable category: endurance sports racers, touring cars, Formula 1, Formula 5000, IndyCars, IMSA, Trans-Am, Can-Am and even NASCAR. On top of that, he has been a television commentator in America for nearly 40 years.
He’s the author of his autobiography, “HOBBO: MOTOR RACER MOTOR MOUTH,” published by Evro Publishing, and set a British closed-course speed record of 167.5 mph driving the then-secret Jaguar XJ13 in 1967 – a record that lasted for 19 years.
“We at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival are honored to have David Hobbs as Grand Marshal of our fifth annual Festival,” said Byron DeFoor, founder of the event. “His history in the sport and TV industry is unsurpassed. Not only was he a champion race-car driver, his humor and wit on air and in speaking engagements are legendary. He’s a great addition to this year’s Festival.”
“It’s a great honor to be invited to be the Grand Marshal of this year’s Chattanooga Motorcar Festival,” said Hobbs. “I’ve had the pleasure of attending previous events and have found the city to be dynamic and beautiful. Byron DeFoor has put together an event that rivals any major Concours in the world.”
DDeFoor added: “We’re also privileged to have Brian Redman continue to support the Festival. He’s been an integral part of the operation since the beginning, and his input is invaluable. And what can I say about Corky Coker, Lyn St. James and Luigi Chinetti Jr.? Corky is our local hero, Lyn has been a strong supporter of the Festival, and Luigi Jr. is a Ferrari icon. We acknowledge all their achievements, and we welcome them back to this year’s Festival with gratitude.”
