Last Friday was without question the most exciting day I have had since my wedding and the birth of my daughter. I entered "Legends of the Autobahn" with the hope that I would at least place so as not to have to make the trip back to Sacramento empty handed. The end result were beyond fantastic!
"Legends of the Autobahn" was a wonderful event of around 200 Porsches, MB and BMW. There were great cars everywhere you turned and more still in the parking areas. Cars and more cars from every year of production.
As the morning got underway cars arrived one after another filling the smooth turf of the Rancho Canada Country Club. There was a heavy mist in the air to accompany the detail stray as each owner got about the business of preparing their car. The sun flirted with us throughout the morning. Cold one minute follwed by the promise of a few rays of sunlight the next. It took the movements of cleaning and polishing to keep off the chill.
After what seemed like forever, the call was made for judges to assemble and the event was underway. It was interesting to watch the different groups go about their business. The BMW folks were purposeful and calm, The MB group in their dark blue jackets and straw hats were focused and a bit subdued. The Porsche folks, including myself, were more casual but no less focused than or counter parts. The tie-dyed sweatshirt of one of our group must certainly have raised a few eyebrows amongst our peers.
Judging went as expected with eager exhibitors looking on intently as we judges disected their treasures with critical eyes and probing fingers. "You found dirt in places I didn't know I had places" remarked one enterant. Slowly and cautiously the teams of judeges poured over each car. Scores were entered, sheeets were submitted and the event moved along as planned.
Finally a chance to rest. Lunch consisted of a glutiness box containing enough food to sustain even the hungriest of folk. Fried chicken, two deli sandwiches, pasta salad, a boiled egg and more and more. I began to wonder if these lunches were prepared for a three day ralley rather than our concours event.
It was finally time for the awards! Each marque acknowledged their winners in each class/catagory and the handsome trophies were presented to the eager winners. I'm still a bit fuzzy on the BMW classes/catagories. I'm not sure I fully understand the difference between "Clean" and "Really Clean" or even "Super Extra eat-off-my engine clean." Although, I do admit to adhering to the later standard myself.
As the awards began to wind down I began to feel like the guy standing in front of the nickle slot machine in Las Vegas. To my suprize, the honors just kept coming. "First in Class" followed by "Best Porsche." At that point I had far surpassed my goal of just not going home empty handed and would have been more than happy to pack up my left over sandwiches and oatmeal cookie and head for home. But then lightening struck! "Best of Show!" Wow! I could not believe it. Out of all the beautiful cars on the field that day, the judges thought mine was "The Best in Show." Wow!
After years of rubbing and polishing and cleaning! What an amazing feeling to have those efforts recognized in this manner. Making the event that much better was the fact that there were a good number of folks present from the Sacramento Valley Region to share the day. It was especially satisfying to have my friend and co-builder Jim M. there to share in the awards presentations and well wishes. Without Jim, I would not have the car I have today.
The awards were handed out, the field slowly emptied and I was left to pack up the dirty mirco-fiber towels and discarded duct tape left from the morning's flurry of cleaning. BMW folks and MB folks came by to offer their congratualtions. A lone straggler also came by to point out all the flaws "the judges must have missed." I'm not sure I caught all he said as my mind was still spinning from the events of the day.
I climbed in my car and the first thing that popped into my head was "I sure hope she starts." She did and I left the field with a honk of the horn and a victorious wave of the hand.
Concours is not for the weak or faint of heart. But if you love your car and you love meeting great likeminded people, I highly recommend you roll up your sleeves, fluff your miro-fiber towels and dive in with the rest of us. You will not be sorry.
What a day! What an experience! What a memory!
Reply With Quote
