Events Coverage
Concours Week: The Quail 2005
By by: George Achorn, photos by Greg Stewart
Dec 20, 2005, 15:35

The Monterey Peninsula’s newest event takes exclusivity to a higher level amongst the most exclusive events in the world.

The Monterey Weekend is a virtual Mecca for vintage automobile enthusiasts. Some of the finest events in the world happen here, from the Monterey Historic Automobile Races to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Concorso Italiano. The latter, for several years, was held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, CA, but upon its departure sprung a new event: The Quail – a Motorsports Gathering.

So with a new event, how do you get noticed? Exclusivity is a great place to start, and The Quail seems to have achieved that. First, attendance is limited to only 3000 spectators at this one day event, allowing for an experience well free of the standing-room-only crowds that tend to gather at other peninsula events.

Keeping the numbers down allows for a controlled environment with many perks. For instance, entry into the event includes the open service of fine foods and wines. This year included cuisine prepared by Cal Tamenov, the Quail Lodge’s Executive Chef, along with a selection of fine wines.



For those looking to sample automobiles, this year’s Quail featured Bentley test drives and a Range Rover off-road course on the grounds.

‘The Quail’, as it’s usually referred to, is now in its third year and going strong. This year's event honored the cars of La Carrera Panamericana, displaying twenty cars that competed in the legendary race. The display also included over 100 sports and racing cars, a large display of vintage motorcycles, an automotive art and photography display, a Bonham’s and Butterfield’s auction and more.

Audi was a featured sponsor of the event this year, helping make the trip well-worth the visit for enthusiasts in Monterey. Several feature cars were on display, from a Champion Racing SPEED World Challenge RS 6, to an actual RS 4 Safety Car from the 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans that had been specially flown in for the event. Audi also chose the event as the first display of its very limited edition S4 ’25quattro’.



Such exclusivity comes at a cost. Tickets to the event are $150 each, though those with a philanthropic mind will appreciate that part of that ticket money goes to several auctions that the event benefits, including the Friends of Carmel Unified School and the CHP-11-99 Foundation.

Ticket prices include admission to the event, wine and food tasting, an event poster and magazine, entertainment, and entrance to the Bonham’s and Butterfield’s auction. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult may enter free of charge.

More information:

Web:www.QuailLodge.com
Phone: (877) 734-4628

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