CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA — Monterey Car Week is the most luxurious, prestigious and honorable collection of automotive events in the world. But among the illustrious gatherings, one event outshines all others for its excellence and exclusivity: The Quail A Motorsports Gathering, presented by The Peninsula Hotels and Signature Events.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering held every year on the Friday of Monterey Car Week at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club, celebrated its 21st anniversary in style. Founded by the Kadoorie family, The Peninsula Hotels and Signature Events is a respected luxury hotel brand that manages 12 luxury properties in nine countries.
Just over 3,000 tickets are sold annually and are only available through a lottery system. As there is a long waiting list, it is easier for some to get into the show by presenting a worthy car. Several charity tickets are offered for sale each year, but are very expensive, to benefit the many local charities that Peninsula Signature Events supports.
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Upon arrival, guests were treated to a glass of Laurent-Perrier to mark the ultimate car garden party, a fitting start to the 21st anniversary celebrations. Throughout the morning, manufacturers held press conferences and unveiled 19 new models in limited edition or prototype form.
After the end of the Geneva Motor Show was announced earlier this year, the Quail has taken the crown as the premier event for automotive premieres. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann unveiled the long-awaited successor to the outgoing Huracan, the Temerario. Named after a famous fighting bull from 1875, it is powered by a new twin-turbo hybrid V8 that produces almost 900 horsepower.
In addition to the regular competition field, four groups were highlighted as special classes this year: 100 Years of MG, 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo 930, 30th Anniversary of Koenigsegg Automotive and a Tribute to the World Rally Cars (WRC).
At just 22 years old, Swedish car enthusiast and businessman Christian von Koenigsegg founded his eponymous company in 1994 with the dream of building the ultimate sports car. Two years later, a concept prototype was successfully tested on a Swedish race track and in 2000, the first production prototype, the CC8S, was unveiled.
Almost everything is developed in-house: engines and transmissions, composite manufacturing, aerodynamics and mechanical innovations such as the signature two-surface synchro-helix doors. The company has received over 30 patents and is currently reviewing more. It builds around 30 to 40 cars a year, and currently has three models: Gemera, Regera and Jesko. At the top of the list is the Jesko, with 1,600 hp and a V8 biturbo engine, which starts at $3 million.
Another favorite was the Rally Car Tribute group. The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the second longest FIA-sanctioned series after Formula 1 and is one of the toughest and most demanding championships in motorsport, with cars flying at the absolute limit over various surfaces such as asphalt, gravel, earth, ice, snow and sand.
Among the highlights was a 1985 Audi Quatro S1 E2. It was part of the almost unlimited Group B class that produced some of the fastest and most legendary rally cars. The series lasted just four years, from 1982 to 1986, and was discontinued by the FIA due to numerous fatal accidents involving drivers and spectators. The speed of the cars and a lack of spectator control at the races were blamed.
Several international owners imported their cars to the Monterey Peninsula to take home a coveted class win at The Quail. Florent Moulin spent months preparing and shipping his 2001 Chrysler Viper GTS-R race car from Luxembourg and took home the post-war race car group trophy.
In five different culinary themed pavilions, guests were served drinks and delicacies from different regions: California, Portugal, Mexico, Korea and Italy. There was also fresh wood-fired pizza and Marianne’s ice cream was served at stations.
The oyster and caviar bars were a popular destination throughout the day. Located in the Road & Track food court, the lines never got shorter. Hog Island Oyster Co. of Marshall brought in over 5,000 pounds of their sustainably farmed shellfish and opened them.
The day concluded with the Circle of Champions awards ceremony, presented by Rolex, the official watch of The Quail since 2005. The class winners took home a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne and a trophy with the signature Q logo.
In a highly competitive field of over 200 cars, a 1937 Delahaye Type 135 owned by Sam and Emily Mann of Malibu came out on top, winning the Rolex Best of Show trophy and an engraved Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 watch.
Originally built as an open-wheeled sports car to compete against other European companies such as Mercedes and Alfa Romeo, the Type 135 became a popular chassis for French coachbuilders such as Figoni & Falaschi to build passenger cars on.
Proceeds from ticket sales and donations benefited a number of local organizations: the Junior Reserve Officers & Training Corps (JROTC) program at Seaside and Marina High Schools, the North Monterey County High School Marching Band, the Rancho Cielo Career Training Program, the CHP 11-99 Foundation and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation.
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