March 16, 2007

The McLaren F1 GTR and BMW V12 LMR were among the very first cars to greet show goers as they entered the event. Some 271 cars and motorcycles were shown at the Amelia Island Concours.
Four historically significant facets of BMW's endurance racing history were on display at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance the weekend of March 9-11 in northern Florida on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton hotel as part of an event that covered 271 cars in 29 judging classes. BMW's historic entries included:
  • The first-ever North American visit of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy-winning 1939 BMW RS 500 Supercharged Racing Motorcycle
  • The 1941 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Roadster.
  • An example of the 1999 Le Mans winning BMW V12 LMR
  • A 1996 BMW-powered McLaren F1 GTR.
Several hundred cars were on display at Amelia Island, which is one of three certified Concours (with a capital CD) events in the U.S. This years' Amelia Island concours was themed Great Road Races. Saturday's Great Road Racing Seminar celebrates the races, including the Targa Florio, Panamericana and the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race. The event featured drivers such Sir Stirling Moss, John Surtees MBE and John Fitch.
There were two Best in Show awards. A teardrop 1957 Talbot Lago T150-C-SS from the Nethercutt Collection was judged the Concours d'Elegance Best in Show and a Ferrari 375MM that won the Nurburgring 1000K at Nurburgring in 1954 and ran second at Mexico was awarded the Concours du Sport.
See below for BMW's release.
(PR) BMW displays racing history at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance