Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex
Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex: Thursday, 14 August
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering: Friday, 15 August
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Sunday, 17 August, and
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion: Friday, 15 – Sunday, 17 August
Rolex has been Official Timepiece of the Concours d'Elegance and partner of The Lodge, situated on Pebble Beach’s famed 18th fairway, since 1997. The Pebble Beach Concours, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2010, is globally regarded as the finest event of its kind. Just being invited to participate is honor enough; winning "Best of Show" is beyond dreams.
As an example of the quality of cars competing, this year’s Concours will feature the post-restoration debut of two cars created originally for Anthony Gustav de Rothschild: a 1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Fernandez et Darrin Coupe de Ville intended for his personal use and a 1934 Hispano-Suiza K6 Fernandez et Darrin Coupé Chauffeur for his wife. According to co-owner Anne Brockinton Lee: "This is the most interesting, breathtaking, swoopy pair of formal cars ever built. For anybody. By any coachbuilder."
The Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex originated as an acknowledgement to the Road Race that was held alongside the Concours in its earliest years. Tracing parts of the peninsula’s famous 17-Mile Drive, the Tour showcases Concours entrants in motion. Rolex became presenting sponsor of the Tour d’Elegance in 2007.
Friday’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering combines landmark sporting vehicles with a culinary sophistication in an exclusive, garden party environment. Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of The Quail since its inception in 2003; the Rolex Best of Show award, for which a Rolex chronometer is the reward, is the top prize. The Gathering this year features some breathtaking Maseratis in tribute to the "Trident's" 100th anniversary including a 1949 A6 1500 Gran Turismo, the first of the marque's post-war sports cars and the last designed by the Maserati brothers. Another striking entrant is the 1935 Bugatti Type 57SC “Electron Torpedo" with a body built in magnesium. One other highlight of an intriguing day will be the Fireside Chat between The Quail founder Sir Michael Kadoorie and Sir Jackie Stewart, the longstanding Rolex Testimonee and Formula 1 legend.
The three-day Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion takes place at the revered Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, where Rolex has sponsored racing since 2001. Featuring competition for some 550 historic cars, this year’s celebrated marque is also Maserati. Derek Hill, son of the immortal Phil Hill, winner of the first Pebble Beach Road Race in 1950 and America’s first Formula 1 World Champion, will be driving a lone surviving Maserati Tipo 151 during the Reunion.
Rolex has been involved in Monterey Classic Car Week since 1997, and the event forms a significant part of its association with the cardinal elements of motor sport: endurance, speed and tradition.