Just in time!
The AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, as reported last month, was a resounding success and luckily took place just before the pandemic took control of our lives. For those of you who are unfortunately having to miss your concours d’elegance fix with so many events having to be postponed or cancelled, here is a little taster of haute automobilisme on the edge of the Pacific.
I hope you enjoy the video! https://www.theceomagazine.com/lifestyle/automotive/sydney-harbour-concours-delegance-2/
Walking the Dog!
Movement has been seriously curtailed for all in the current pandemic and many events are having to be postponed, including my recently announced Royal Automobile Club of Australia Historic and Classic Motoring Awards. Exercise in the form of dog walking is still acceptable, in Australia at least, so I thought I would share my recent dog walking experiences in the hope that they might warm the cockles of your hearts. Stay (safe)!
Singing in the Rain!
The AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance powered by Ferrari, along with some of the world’s most prolific concours’ sponsor support including official time partner A Lange & Söhne and champagne partner Pommery, defied torrential rain on the opening day to produce surely the most spectacular concours ever held in the Southern Hemisphere on March 5th -7th.
Held in the lush gardens of Swifts, one of Australia’s finest mansions, built in 1875, the sun came out and a selection of some of the finest cars in the country was shown to over 600 invited guests, and judged by a Jury led by Andrew Bagley, Chairman of Salon Privé, Wilhelm Schmidt, CEO of A.Lange & Söhne, both of whom had travelled especially from Europe, and Jacquie Hayes, aka Madam Wheels, all well versed in the world of haute automobilisme.
Luxury Pommery Champagne and exclusive Château La Gordonne rosé garden parties were held by day surrounded by the exquisite automobiles amid the Victorian lawns and grand trees of Swifts; DJ cool summer sounds on the roof top terrace of the InterContinental Hotel Double Bay drinking Pommery Blue Sky champagne over ice, watching the sun go down over Sydney’s glorious harbour concluded the first day.
All was topped off with a Pommery Champagne degustation black-tie Gala Award dinner at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club of Australia on the final evening.
21 Gun Salute and then some!
For those who have never been to India, it is without doubt, as one Maharajah I met there described it, “organised chaos”. But such beautiful organised chaos that anyone who gets the chance to experience it should jump at and grab with both hands.
In Delhi, a city now with a population of 28 million people, some 31 times more than when he designed it, Edward Lutyens’ (1869 -1944) India Gate is still a haven of calm and peace among the chaos. Here it was that the vehicles gathered together for the start of the 9th edition of the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours d’Elegance, where I was lucky enough and honoured to be a member of the Jury and the Master of Ceremonies.
RACA Historic & Classic Motoring Awards
It gives me great pleasure to announce the inaugural Royal Automobile Club of Australia Historic & Classic Motoring Awards planned to take place on the evening of Friday November 20th.
New for 2020, the Royal Automobile Club of Australia’s Historic & Classic Motoring Awards are a new set of annual accolades recognising excellence and outstanding contributions to Australia’s historic motoring and motorsport industries. The Club has been at the heart of the motoring world since its formation in 1903, and the Historic Awards are a natural continuation of a rich heritage.
The Awards will reward achievement and innovation across eight categories, highlighting and celebrating the wide range of companies, clubs, events, associations and individuals responsible for influencing and driving the Australian classic and historic motoring movement.
To find out more and to enter please go to https://www.raca.com.au/hcm-awards/
Whilst if you are interested in being a corporate partner of the event please contact me directly james@marinamarini.com.au
NJORD
Why, I hear you say, would a car collector be interested in a super yacht? Well, this one comes with private residences and GARAGING! Read on to discover more from my good friend Mr Concours
The Njord is the world’s first ultra-luxury, full service residential mega yacht. (Think of it as the most exclusive serviced apartment complex, sailing the seven seas, anchoring at only the most exotic locations.) And for just over 100 owners, there is a selection of apartments, triplexes and penthouses they can call home. But what makes the Njord quite unique, and especially attractive to car owners, is that they can also take a car with them—to drive around the world! As an ambassador for the yacht, Mr Concours has been asked to see if any readers would be interested in learning more about Njord and its special feature.
This is not a cruise ship
Designed by internationally renowned naval architect Espen Øino, the Njord bears more resemblance to a large super yacht than a liner. In fact, the Njord only features ‘private residences’ and will never be offered to fare-paying passengers. Privacy and exclusivity being the key. And interestingly you, along with your fellow yachting homeowners, will decide where the Njord should sail to and when—chances to visit the world’s more remote and off the beaten wave destinations.
Introducing the Njord’s Tour Master
Every sailing on the Njord will be a voyage of discovery, especially as Mr Concours is ‘on-board’ to devise bespoke motoring tours for the owners. So if you always wanted to explore New Zealand’s stunning Otago Peninsula, for example, or take a road trip through the wilds of Andalucia, Mr Concours, together with the Njord’s hospitality team, will organise everything for the perfect adventure—from itineraries and road-books to accommodation along the way. All you have to do is decide whether to take your own car, garaged below deck on the Njord, or let us arrange a suitable classic locally.
• REQUEST A BROCHURE FOR THE NJORD Please click here mrconcours@mrconcours.com and I will arrange for a brochure to be posted to you.
Invitation
With just under a month to go the AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, powered by Ferrari is shaping up to be another amazing event of automobiles, sophistication, elegance, and stylish activations all brought together under the phrase “haute automobilisme”.
To be held in the beautiful Victorian grounds of the amazing ‘Swifts’ in Darling Point on 5th -7th March, and with a Pommery Champagne party on the roof top terrace of the luxury InterContinental Hotel Double Bay, and a Black Tie Gala Awards dinner at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in Australia, the Concours is an exclusive and unmissable social event.
With a fantastic array of motor cars, from a sublime and incredibly rare 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London to Edinburgh Continental, to a stupendously fast 1987 Porsche 959 capable of 197 mph (over 317 km/h!), with lots of desirable models in between on display from Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bristol, Citroën, Lagonda, Lancia, Lamborghini, Muntz, Singer, Cadillac, Jaguar, Renault, Lotus, Maserati, Bentley, Brabham, and not least an incredible array of Ferraris, there should be something to capture the heart of everyone’s motoring desire on four or two wheels and even on the water!
Guests will partake of fine Pommery Champagne, and La Chappelle Gordonne, an exclusive rosé cuvée from Provence, in the stunning gardens; watch first-hand the master watchmaker at work from Germany of the official time partner A. Lange & Söhne; view the art gallery and visit the hydration stations of naming rights partner AXA; experience the Ferrari Classiche studio; and discover the offerings of the event’s other official partners, Swissvax (hand-made high performance car care from Switzerland); business world specialist CEO Magazine; Santa Vittoria acqua minerale; and CEO Legacy Books, capturing your legacy for future generations.
The event will also honour International Women’s Day; the judging of the stylish automobiles will take place under the watchful eye of the Chief Honorary Judge from England, Andrew Bagley, Chairman of Salon Privé, now recognised as one of the top events in the world alongside Pebble Beach Concours and Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este; and Event Patron, Le Mans winner David Brabham will once again be present this time with a road going version of his amazing BT62.
PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN THE FUN james@sydneyharbourconcours.com
New Decade – New Stories
Happy New Year, with lots of love and laughter for 2020 and beyond for everyone.
2019 ended very well for me with a fabulous time on the water at the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. But now it is time to look forward to the future and what a lot 2020 holds in promise.
My main focus and effort at present is working on the details for the AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, powered by Ferrari to be held at Swifts, Darling Point on March 5th-7th. If you want to find out more about the second iteration of my event, which was shortlisted for the 2019 Historic Motoring Awards, or to enquire about tickets please go to:- https://sydneyharbourconcours.com
It should be a grand affair. Before then though there is the matter of a quick trip in February to India for Asia’s premier heritage motoring event, where I am Master of Ceremonies for the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours d’Elegance.
Other notable stories planned to be covered this year include:- Inside Incredible Indian Heritage – featuring the Maharajah of Tehri Garhwal Palace; Laxmi Niswas Palace, Bharatpur; Nahargarth Palace, Sawai Madhopur; Ranthambore Fort; and Khimsar Fort as a guest of the Crown Prince of Khimsar (travel and architecture)
The Great Tour, Southern Highlands, NSW (motoring) -April
The Glorious Tattered Beauty of Naples (travel story) – June
The Magical Isle of Capri (travel story) – June
Secrets of Sicily (travel story) – June
Helsinki in Summer (travel story) – July
Bernina Gran Turismo Hill Climb, St Moritz Switzerland (motoring)- 17th – 20th September.
There should also be plenty of other adventures in and around these events and stories and I, for one, cannot wait!
Beyond Curated
If you are heading to London and want to experience something very special and see the great City in a unique and unforgettable way then I suggest you visit a company of which I am on the advisory board.
Beyond Curated https://www.beyondcurated.com is the brainchild of the lovely Linda Hugo. The Royal Experience https://www.beyondcurated.com/experience/the-royal-experience/ must surely be just that, as evening descends, you crown the event with a private visit to the Tower of London. You will be welcomed by a Yeoman Warder as The Jewel House opens its doors to you. Enjoy a champagne reception, intriguing facts and a private viewing of the priceless Crown Jewels. Gaining access to this ancient World Heritage Site, once the crowds have departed, is a truly privileged experience and fitting finale to your royal day.
Florio Flourishing
After 4 days, 1200km, 68 competition stages, rain, fog and sunshine, little sleep and much fun, we made it! From Torquay to Flinders, Cowes and San Remo to Healesville and finally to Melbourne there is no doubt about the beauty of Victoria and its great driving roads. The community involvement moments were highlights and we felt like celebrities as we drove through the cheering crowds and school children!
This year’s Targa Florio Australian Tribute was a success on many levels. Beautiful driving roads, stunning cars, crowds out to cheer at many towns, gifts from community groups along the way, successful road closures for the Time Trials in Flinders, Healesville, Korumburra, Cowes and Woodend, joining in with the lively Ciao Yarra Valley Ciao Festa in Healesville and the Grand Finale in Melbourne’s own Little Italy – driving into Lygon Street to a sea of people was definitely a highlight. The Australian Targa Florio lived up to the unique and traditional Targa Florio in Sicily with its style, culture and spectacle and a uniquely local flavour… La Dolce Vita!
The dates for 2020 are already set:- Thursday 26th and to Sunday 29th November
Be part of the fun in 2020: https://targaflorioaus.com/online-registration/
