Winter Park Concours d'Elegance

"Winter Park Concours d'Elegance" exotic car display huge success.
4th Annual"Festival of Exotic Cars" set for Mount Dora in February 2003.

WINTER PARK, FL- November 2002- TSC Events Inc. hosted the first annual "Winter Park Concours d'Elegance" on Winter Park's fashionable Park Avenue, October 19th & 20th. The Presenting sponsors were Aston Martin of Tampa and Collier Jaguar.

Festivities began on Saturday with a "Tour d' Winter Park" which featured over sixty exotic cars touring throughout Winter Park's neighborhoods. Cars included a rare Mercedes CLK GTR, Ferrari F-50, Lamborghini Countach, 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and others. Along the way, homeowners lined the streets to watch the cars pass their homes. The tour ended with drivers gathering for a fabulous poolside luncheon at Windsong in Winter Park.

Later that evening guests attended a charitable black tie Gala at the Albin Polasek Museum. The elegant affair featured a lavish display of culinary delights, string quartet, rare and collectable cars and a live and silent auction to benefit Give Kids The World and Hospice Of Orange-Osceola. Mr. Tom du Pont was the high bidder for the official "Show Painting" which was donated by James McClain of Eurotech in Winter Park. All proceeds from the sale went to charity. In total over $23,000 was raised.

The main attraction for automotive enthusiasts was the "Concours d'Elegance" which took place on Sunday. Over 30,000 attendees descended upon Winter Park to view 100+ rare and exotic cars parked for display on Park avenue and in Central Park. An impressive selection of automotive marques was represented including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Spyker. Cars were transported from as far away as Holland and New York to attend the concours. The theme of the Concours was the Art of Automotive Design with cars from 1924 to 2002 on display. Presenting sponsor Tom Heinz, of Aston Martin of Tampa had this to say--"The Winter Park Concours featured an incredible variety of collectable automobile that were of the highest caliber." Mike Collier of Collier Jaguar another presenting sponsor had this to say, "From the tour of exotic cars to the awards presentation in the park this event was a wonderful experience to be involved with. This is something that was long over due for Central Florida"

According to Chip Weston, Winter Park's Director of Economic and Cultural Development, "The city of Winter park is looking forward to a long lasting relationship with both the show organizers (TSC Events Inc.) and the owners of these magnificent cars." Joyce Crabtree agreed with fellow organizer Bob Tallgren when he had this to say, "Our goal was to create a concours that featured a varied selection of hand picked cars displayed at a location that offered a cultural and comfortable backdrop". When asked why Winter Park was chosen for this event, Joe Sabatini, also an organizer had this to say "We were searching for a city that would reflect the very same characteristics of the exotic automobiles that we display--the very essence of elegance with an uncompromising commitment to perfection--we feel Winter Park delivered on all of those qualities--"

The awards presentation which took place in the park was done so in traditional concours style. A colorful display of flowers and flags accented the stage to provide an elegant backdrop for the award winning cars as they pulled in to accept their trophies. President and co-chair of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d' elegance, Sandra Kasky was on hand to present the du Pont Trophy to winner Rene Herzog in a 1930 Rolls Royce Binder Continental P-II. Over thirty trophies' were awarded in total. The concours was organized by TSC Events Inc., Presented by Aston Martin of Tampa and Collier Jaguar, the Founding sponsor was the du Pont Registry Magazine, Supporting sponsors included Suntrust, Ferrari Of Central Florida, Ultimate Motorworks, Windsong, Fields BMW, Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, Bari Italian Foods, MRI Iin., Patron sponsors included, The Westin Grand Bohemian, Eurotech of Winter Park and Mt. Dora Estate Jewelers.

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