2016 Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance
Saturday, April 30, 2016 – 8:00am to 9:00pm, Pinehurst, North Carolina
The Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance was started 4 years ago as a venue for the display and competition of some of the America’s most exclusive classic automobiles. The world famous Pinehurst Golf Resort in Pinehurst, NC, has been the location of many great golf tournaments, but on Saturday, April 30th, fine automobiles were on the fairways instead of golfers. The 2016 event instituted a format change to the Fairway Club held in conjunction with the Concours, which allowed much greater participation by members of area car clubs. For the price of two Concours tickets and a contribution to the USO, MBCA members (and members of other European car clubs) could place their cars on the same show field as the judged Concours entrants. The two fairways in front of the clubhouse at the Golf Resort provide plenty of room for both the Concours and Fairway Club participants. Triangle Section leadership Steve Redwine, Bill Faison and Tom Reedy had worked with the Concours organizers to set up an information tent for our club as well as space for 34 club member’s cars representing 7 of the 8 MBCA Sections in the Eastern Region.
The tent was a great gathering location to provide information on the club to potential new members and on-the-spot consulting for Mercedes owners with technical questions. The event was supported and enhanced by the attendance of Regional Director Jim Roberts, National President Terry Kiwala, Concurs Chair Pete Lesler and Enthusiast Chair Josie Lesler. In addition to the showing of great automobiles, there was afternoon entertainment by a singing group from the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at nearby Fort Bragg. There was then evening entertainment by “The Commodores” with MBCA members having a prime viewing area along with dinner in the Donald Ross room at the resort clubhouse. The day started a little cool and the parachute drop was cancelled because of low clouds, but it was still a wonderful day of automotive excellence along with conversations with old and new friends. We look forward to coming back next year.
