Country's Rarest High-End Automobiles on Display at Churchill Downs During 2009 Louisville Concours d'Elegance

Oct 01, 2009 Darren Rogers

Horsepower of a different kind will be on display this weekend at Churchill Downs as the world’s most legendary racetrack plays host to some of the rarest cars in the country for the second year in a row.

The 2009 Louisville Concours d’Elegance will return to historic Churchill Downs this Saturday (Oct. 3) and Sunday (Oct. 4) as collectors of fine automobiles compete for the prestigious “Best in Show” honor and celebrate 100 years of the Bugatti Car Company.

A concours car is a well preserved or accurately restored vehicle, usually with historic value. They are pristine in appearance and rarely seen outside museums or private collections. Many are worth millions of dollars and referred to by collectors as “Rolling Works of Art.”

Judging for the competition, which doubles as a charitable event to raise funds for Louisville’s Brooklawn Child & Family Services, will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public and general admission tickets are $15 in advance by calling (502) 212-8373 or $20 on the day of the show. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ConcoursLouisville.com or by visiting La Vida Java Coffee Company or Westport Whiskey & Wine located in Westport Village on Westport Road between Herr Lane and Lyndon Lane. Children 12 and under will be admitted to the event free of charge.

There also are a limited number of $175 tickets to the Concours Eve Gala on Saturday night, which includes a reception in the paddock area and dinner in Millionaires’ Row from 6-11 p.m.

“Our 2009 Louisville Concours d’Elegance is an event for the entire family to enjoy and will be of particular interest to people in the Kentuckiana region that appreciate and enjoy seeing some of the finest automobiles in the world,” said Rob Davenport, event founder and member of the vehicle selection committee.

The high-end automobiles will be on display in the Churchill Downs infield with the famous Twin Spires serving as a backdrop. The awards ceremony is scheduled to begin Sunday at 3 p.m. There will also be a Fashion Show sponsored by SunTan City, vendor booths in the Shoppes d’Elegance, an Automotive Artists Village and food and beverage concessions.

The 2008 Louisville Concours d’Elegance “Best in Show” winner was a 1935 Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton by LeGrande, owned by Frank and Milli Ricciardelli of Monmouth Beach, N.J.

For more information, media can contact advertising and public relations chair Jim Mahanes at (502) 396-1260 or log onto www.ConcoursLouisville.com.

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