The renowned Amelia Concours d’Elegance, a prestigious motorsport event celebrated for its display of automotive history, is set to shift schedules due to weather concerns. Originally planned for Sunday, the event will now take place a day earlier, tomorrow, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Hagerty Events made the decision to preempt the expected inclement weather to ensure both guest safety and a positive experience.
"The decision to move The Amelia Concours d’Elegance event to Saturday due to anticipated inclement weather was not a decision we took lightly," McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, stated in a news release obtained by Action News Jax. The updated itinerary allows guests to experience over 240 cars throughout the coursed day while also enjoying the 200+ vehicle RADwood display located at the Motorexpo field.
The concours is not just about the cars but also celebrates individuals who have shaped the world of motorsports. This year, at its 30th milestone anniversary, the concours honors iconic racer and four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. "There's clearly a synergy between people who love racing and those who love concours, and The Amelia is the intersection of both those passions, each of which I hold dearly," Castroneves told Jacksonville Today regarding his excitement for the four-day event and the honor of being this year's honoree.
This year's the Amelia Concours d’Elegance showcases a rich collection of over 275 historically significant vehicles spread across more than 35 classes, as reported by News4Jax. Despite the date change, the event maintains its legion of activities, including early VIP entry, the RADwood display, the Broad Arrow auction, and the Legends of Speed dinner, all continuing as originally planned. The event organizers reassure ticket holders that tickets purchased for Cars & Community and the Concours d’Elegance will be honored on the new date, with refunds available for those unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Since its inception in 1996 by Jacksonville businessman and car enthusiast Bill Warner, the Amelia Concours d’Elegance has grown into a cultural and economic powerhouse, with annual estimates nearing $30 million. Yet, beyond the financial echoes lies the heart of the concours' benevolence, as it has generated over $4 million for charities like Community Hospice & Palliative Care and Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. Matt Orendac, concours Vice Chairman, reflected on the event's journey, saying, "It's a fantastic celebration of all those years," in a statement to Jacksonville Today.
