Automobile museum to host racing legend
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The Saratoga Automobile Museum has announced a commemorative evening with David Hobbs, Bob Varsha and Judy Stropus on Sept. 19, starting at 6 p.m. in the Hall of Springs in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and a silent auction to benefit the Museum.
The evening will also include the featured consignment to the auction, the 1969 Gulf Mirage M2 BRM, that was driven by David Hobbs. The two will be reunited during the evening.
The guests of honor for the evening will include:
David Hobbs
David’s racing career spanned 30 years, at all levels, including Indy car, IMSA, NASCAR, CanAM and Formula One. Hobbs has provided commentary for countless Formula One and GP2 races, working with CBS, NBCSN, and ESPN over the years. He was also a familiar voice in Disney-Pixar’s © animated movie, Cars 2.
Bob Varsha
Varsha has long been known as the American voice of Formula 1. He has covered virtually every type of motorized competition in the world, on both two wheels and four.
He has provided commentary for numerous collector car auctions, historical retrospectives, vintage racing, and the all-electric Formula E Championship. He has also been master of ceremonies for the world’s premiere classic car showcase, the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance.
Judy Stropus
Stropus is a driver, racer, author, professional timer, scorer, and award-winning public relations expert. She’s worked with the racing industry’s top teams, including Penske Racing, Brumos Racing, Bud Moore Racing, and Al Holbert’s Porsche IndyCar Team.
Stropus competed in the notorious Cannonball Baker Seato-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash in 1972. In 1981, actress Adrienne Barbeau played her character Marcie Thatcher, which was loosely based on Judy, in the movie, Cannonball Run.
“We are honored and privileged to be reuniting David Hobbs with the Gulf Mirage that he drove those many years ago,” said Bill Windham, auction director, “This is a once in-a-lifetime event that racing and car enthusiasts won’t want to miss and is the best way to open the Auction weekend.
The 1969 Gulf Mirage M2/300/03 with a BRM V-12 engine is currently on display in the main gallery of the Museum until the Saratoga Auto Auction. Museum visitors will have the opportunity to see this incredible piece of racing and automo
tive history up close.
This race car is one of only three produced by John Wyer Automotive Engineering for the 1969 World Sports Car Championship and its estimated value is 1.3 million dollars.
This Gulf Mirage is the only remaining Wyer Mirage that has been returned to its original, as raced, condition. The car is a complete, fresh concours restoration with an emphasis on originality and authenticity. This car was raced during the 1969 season with David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood behind the wheel. The Mirage M2 was the most successful of the three cars that had been built.
Tickets for the Hobbs and Friends event are $200 per person or can be added onto auction bidder’s registration by calling Megan Hennessey, Director of Special Events at 518-401-5185 or by emailing megan.hennessey@saratogaautomuseum.org. or visiting the Museum’s website at saratogaautomuseum.org.
The Saratoga Auto Auction, now in its third year, will take place Sept. 20 and 21 on the stage of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. In the auction’s second year, nearly 300 vehicles were part of the event. This year, the auction will feature more than 300 incredible rare and classic vehicles.