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Day two on Amelia Island

Amelia Island - Day 2 The second day of the 12th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance at was a racer's delight. The panel of Sir Stirling Moss, John Surtees MBE, John Fitch, Brian Redman, Vic Elford, Hershel McGriff, Alain de Cadenet, Chris ...


Amelia Island - Day 2

The second day of the 12th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance at was a racer's delight.

The panel of Sir Stirling Moss, John Surtees MBE, John Fitch, Brian Redman, Vic Elford, Hershel McGriff, Alain de Cadenet, Chris Economaki and Bruce Thomas fielded questions from moderators David Hobbs and Sam Posey and several members of the appreciative audience that packed the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton. [Your author recorded the entire session. A transcription will follow here in about 10 days; i.e., after Sebring.]

The black-tie affair Saturday evening was a tribute to the 2007 Honorary Chairman of the Concours, Derek Bell MBE - five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, three-time winner of the Daytona 24 and twice World Endurance Champion.

Bell's rollicking, off-the-cuff remarks gave the flavor of the man and the times in which he was a star on the international endurance racing scene. [Again, your author recorded most of this delightful entertainment - the tape running out shortly after Bell wrapped up his early days with Ferrari.]

Here's a snippet of what wasn't recorded as Bell told of testing a new Leda designed by Len Terry. Following an initial session at Goodwood, the team went to Silverstone, where Frank Gardner was brought in for a second opinion.

The chain-smoking Terry - who, by the by, rolled his own - hovered over Bell after he'd been out a few laps. "What'd you think, eh?"

"I'm not exactly sure where to start," Bell hedged, as Gardner took the Leda out for a couple of laps. Noted for his forthrightness, Gardner leaped from the car exclaiming, "Len, you're a genius!"

"Is it really that good?" gulped the wide-eyed Terry, inhaling deeply.

"Quite extraordinary!" effused Gardner. "You've got two cars here - one in the front and one in the back!"

You'll enjoy these transcripts, so stay tuned.

Tomorrow - the 12th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

--Special to Motorsport.com by Bill King

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