Hilton Head Island, SC, May 22, 2008 – The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, one of the nation’s signature automobile events, will return to Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, S.C., from October 30-November 2, 2008. This year, the event will feature a popular classic car auction, historic automobile race exhibitions, vintage motorcycle displays and a Club Car Jamboree.
New exhibits for the seventh annual Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival include a special celebration of Brass Era Cars, which date before 1916 and were constructed almost entirely from brass and sheet metal. During the Concours d’Elegance “Best of Show” competition on Sunday, November 2, the brass classes will showcase at least one model from each year between 1899 and 1915. Additionally, new to the show this year will be a display in the Quest for Speed & Style exhibit of Pre-WWII, heavy-duty trucks.
“This will be a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s best-known Brass Era Cars at close range and in an up-close-and-personal setting,” said Carolyn Vanagel, executive director of the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. “We’re expecting record-breaking crowds at this year’s event.”
Other marquee celebrations featured throughout the weekend include the 60th anniversary of Porsche, which will include a celebratory display of vintage vehicles, which traces the evolution of the Porsche, from its early days to its contemporary expression. Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance will also honor the anniversaries of Edsel (50th), Morgan (100th) and General Motors (100th) with special classes for each.
The centennial of the Great Savannah Races, a landmark 1908 racing event which served as the very first grand prix road race in the United States, will also serve as a festival highlight. In honor of this historic anniversary, antique cars, including some from the original race, will parade through the city streets of Savannah taking portions of the 1908 race route and will run exhibition laps at the Hilton Head/Savannah Historics. This two-day vintage track event will also include interactive events for those attending such as an Autocross course.
One of the perennial highlights of this automobile festival is the Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction, which is conducted by The Worldwide Group. The auction will feature many of the finest pre-War American and European classics, as well as exotic cars, American Muscle Cars and sports cars. Admission to the auction is by catalog ($50), which includes seating for two. Catalogs can be purchased in advance a www.wwgauctions.com or at the event. Standing room outside of the bidding area is available with the purchase of a general admission Festival ticket.
Due to popular demand, the Festival will once again feature a display of vintage motorcycles on Saturday and Sunday. A special class of motorcycles will also compete on Sunday in the Concours d’Elegance. German cars ranging from Mercedes and Porsche to VW and BMW will be featured in Saturday’s Car Club Jamboree, which includes car clubs from around the Southeast as well as food, entertainment and children’s activities. The Ferrari Club will make a return appearance, showcasing a wide range of models, much to the delight of attendees.
Hargray is the official communications sponsor for the 2008 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. Additional sponsors will be announced in the coming months.
“We’re extremely pleased to have so many of our dedicated sponsors involved year after year,” said Paul Doerring, chairman of the board of directors for the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. “Their continuous, loyal support has helped strengthen our event and enabled us to achieve an even higher level of success.”
Gate ticket prices are $10 for Thursday or Friday’s vintage track event, the Hilton Head/Savannah Historics, $25 for Saturday, $35 for Sunday, $50 for a two-day (Saturday & Sunday) pass and $55 for an all-access (Thursday – Sunday) pass. Children under 12 get in free, and ages 12-18 and military (with an active duty I.D.) receive ½ off general admission ticket prices at the gate. Advance discounted tickets will be available at www.hhiconcours.com starting Spring 2008.
For more information, please call (843) 785-SHOW (7469) or visit the official Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival website at www.hhiconcours.com.