Unique Destinations
By Denise McCluggage, Honorary Chair, Concorso Advisory Board, Automotive Journalist, First Lady of Sports Car Racing
An event’s fifth year means it has a history, a character, and a reputation. That is true of the Santa Fe Concorso. And it’s all good. No longer are introductions and descriptions needed for the Southwest’s premier gathering of fine vintage cars, selected motorcycles, and bicycles. It’s: “Yes, I’ve heard great things. Wonderful cars, beautiful setting, and a relaxed atmosphere. Time and space to really see all the cars. Even chat with the owners. We’ll be there!”
Lady Susie Moss calls it, “a ‘boutique’ show; excellence in essence.” Lady Susie and her husband Sir Stirling return as special guests for the fifth straight year. They love Santa Fe and Santa Fe loves them.
Also returning is New Mexico’s own Al Unser, bringing sample cars from his wonderful Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque. Joining Al will be Al Unser Jr. and Parnelli Jones, ready with stories of America’s oval tracks. An autograph session has been popular every year. This year Sir Stirling will have a signing of a new paperback edition of his 1962 book All But My Life written with the late Ken Purdy.
The Santa Fe Concorso not only lays out the gleaming machinery of a century of mobility, it opens visitors to the chance to sample Santa Fe’s historic specialness, and to decide to come back often. The Concorso is a 501(c)(3) organization and has donated over $75,000 to support youth organizations in the city and county.
On Friday, September 26 in a private hangar at the Santa Fe Airport, Indy racers will recount their stories of challenges and successes at the Brickyard. The Friday Night Gathering, a VIP event, also held at the private hangar, brings together vintage aircraft and race cars. Add food, spirits, and celebrities to inspire joviality and friendship. Saturday is a day for doing what cars were intended to do. Catch these pieces of rolling art on the Plaza early Saturday morning then motoring up Canyon Road. Wave! They are headed to Cerrillos and on to The Club at Las Campanas to take their places for Sunday’s main event. Nothing’s more fun that catching glimpses of fine old cars just rolling along on everyday roads.
Then Sunday is the concours d’elegance — the contest of beauty and elegance. All cars will be appreciated but some will win their classes and two will take home a unique best in show trophy: one for elegance and one for sport. Among the judges every year has been Sir Stirling Moss, who like so many others, finds Santa Fe special.
September 28, 2014. For more information see: www.santafeconcorso.com. Held on the grounds of The Club at Las Campanas
The Santa Fe Concorso is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization benefitting youth organizations of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County, affecting the families of home owners, sellers, and buyers in our real estate community. The Santa Fe Concorso is being profiled as part of the All Things Real Estate “Unique Destinations” series.