CARNUT CORNER
Concours d’Elegance a spectacle
Although this weekend boasts some great local events, I relish the thought of only going to one a day after last weekend’s mad dash to cover as many events as possible during Car Week in Carmel. We were up at 6 a.m. most days with one 4:30 a.m. alarm on the day of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
I was stoked to see the car restored by RX Autoworks, the North Vancouver shop that won best of show last year and attended this year’s concours with a freshly restored 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Ghia. Unfortunately, it did not win, but in fairness the winner, a 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Gurney Nutting Sport Tourer owned by the Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie of Hong Kong, was stunning.
Also very impressive was the Tour d’Elegance, where concours entrants drive their cars on a tour down the coast and back to give them an edge if they were to tie with another entrant that does not complete the tour.
The 2019 Pebble Beach Concours celebrated the 100th anniversary of Bentley and no less than 55 Bentleys were on the fairway of the fabled golf course, representing roughly 20 per cent of all entrants.
My favourite event during this carnut-fest is the historic racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The entrants cover almost all types of auto racing, but without a doubt my favourite class is the Trans Am series of 1966-72.
These cars look very similar to the cars that left the showrooms back in the day except for their stance and lack of hood scoops. The sounds of these howling V8s is magical and the creative use of the rule book back in the day is almost legendary for these cars.
The 1959 Sadler Mk 4 was my favourite car of the weekend of races. This car was built be Canadian Bill Sadler for Dave Greenblatt. Sadler took the previous Sadler Mk III and made it less complex, without fully independent suspension but adding a Latham supercharged Chevy V8.
This was the era when lots of very competitive cars were being built by Ferrari, Maserati, and independents like Lance Reventlow’s Scarabs. The Sadler Mk IV won one race back in the day, but this was against amazing competition with huge wallets. During the Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion, the Sadler was in front of the pack the entire race and was a real crowd pleaser.
Next year, join me on our trip to car week, and let’s bring some kids with us!
SHOWS AUG. 24
Jaguar/MG Club 50th Anniversary Where: Hazelmere RV Park, 18843 8th Ave., Surrey
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free
Registration: $10 and open to Jaguars and MGs
Info: 604-618-2537, newby@telus.net or patilbury@shaw.ca
Website: jaguarmg.com
ElectraFest 2019
Where: Round House Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: Free
Website: veva.ca or electrafest.ca
Vision Tree Cruise-in & Autocross
Where: Alliance Church, 8700 Young Rd., Chilliwack
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: By donation to Send a Kid to Camp Fund
Registration: $15. Autocross Runs three for $20
Info: 604-795-1044 or wayne@chilliwackalliance.bc.ca
Shriners Car Show & BBQ Where: Kenyon Park, Okanagan Falls When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: 8 a.m. $20 (second car $15). Proceeds to benefit children of B.C. in need of medical help of special concerns
Info: 1-250-473-7454 or gwalhughes@shaw.ca
AUG. 24-25
Cruise the Shore
Where: Saturday North Shore day cruise. Sunday Edgemont Village show When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days Info: 604-818-8162 or info@cruisetheshore.ca Website: cruisetheshore.ca
AUG. 25
GVMA 2019 36th Annual Mustang & Ford Roundup Show Where: George Preston Rec Centre, 20699 - 42 A, Langley
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free
Registration: 8:30 a.m. $20 and open to all Mustangs, other Ford models and Ford-powered vehicles Info: 604-802-1024 or mustang390@gmail.com Website: gvma.org
Prospectors Gold Pan Steak Out Where: LeBourdais Park, Quesnel When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free
Registration: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. $10 and open to all vehicles
Info: 250-747-4353 or prospectorscarmail@gmail.com Website: prospectorscarclub.com 2019 Vancouver Island Motorcar Weekend & Concours d’Elegance Where: Shawnigan Lake School, 1975 Renfrew Rd., Shawnigan Lake
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Minimum $5 donation per person
Registration: $25
Info: info@islandconcours.com Website: islandconcours.com
COMPETITION AUG. 23
Westshore Spring & 4x4 Night Where: Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Rd., Victoria
Info: 250-474-2151 or denise@westernspeedway.net Website: westernspeedway.net
AUG. 23-24
Oval racing
Where: Penticton Speedway, 2070 Carmi Ave., Penticton
When: Racing starts at 7 p.m.
Info: 250-809-9117, 250-460-0121 or pentictonspeedway17@gmail.com Website: pentictonspeedway.com
AUG. 23-25
SMS-K Rents Smoke Fire & Thunder
Where: Mission Raceway Park, 32670 Dyke Rd., Mission
When: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to 4 p.m.
Info: 604-826-6315 or info@missionraceway.com Website: missionraceway.com
AUG. 24
Oval racing
Where: Agassiz Speedway, 5045 Cemetery Rd., Agassiz
When: Time Trials at 5 p.m. Racing at 6:30 p.m.
Info: 604-792-3278 or agassizspeedway@telus.net Website: agassizspeedway.com