Concours d'Elegance brings rare cars to the racetrack
The name itself, the Barrington Concours d'Elegance, says it all.
With such rare and historic cars, as a 1935 Amilcar Pegase roadster - the only surviving one of its kind - and a 1937 BMW, described as "the car that escaped the Fuhrer," visitors on Sunday will find that this is not your neighborhood cruiser night.
In fact, organizers of the second Concours aim to make it Chicago' s premier event for classic car lovers.
Barrington Concours d'Elegance, Legends & Legacies, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, at Arlington Park. General admission is $35 or $30 in advance, with children 3-12 entering for $5, and children 2 and under are free.
The French sounding name dates back to the original Concours concept, which originated in early 20th century France, when car enthusiasts would gather to admire exotic cars that featured expert craftsmanship and design.
Its original concept holds true today, organizers say, and only six Concours take place across the country.
"Each of these cars is worth a lot of money," says committee member Dee Beaubien of Barrington. "They are judged on a 100-point scale, and only those cars that can stand up to that kind of scrutiny are juried into the show."
The world-class field was limited to 100 of the world's most rare and historic automobiles, which will be judged in 12 different classes, ranging from sports cars, sedans and convertibles, to their time period, including early American, postwar, and the '50s and '60s.
There even is a new class, the British invasion, which takes in more accessible British sports cars, including Fiats, Triumphs, MGs and Austin Healys.
What separates this Concours from the other five, supporters say, is its beneficiaries, Hospice of Northeastern Illinois and the Barrington Area Conservation Trust. In fact, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the charities.
The Concours event includes a weekend filled with activities that also highlight the rolling pastures, open prairies and miles of equestrian trails throughout the Barrington area.
One such activity is the road rally through the Barrington countryside, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. Teams of two can drive in a car of their choice - it doesn't have to be a classic - to solve clues and find local landmarks. Proceeds from the $125 admission go to the two charities.
The local community also will celebrate Barrington Concours Village Day, when car clubs showcase some of their exotic sports cars at various locations, including Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari and BMW.
Weekend activities all build toward the Concours d'Elegance itself on Sunday, when the 100 featured cars and 17 motorcycles - as well as some of their owners in period dress - are displayed on the racetrack's turf infield.
The cars themselves will drive across a bridge to take their designated position. Spectators too, will cross the artificial surface to arrive at the show field, located in front of the racetrack's scoreboard, where they can take a guided tour or merely peruse the various entries and talk to the owners.
Should it rain that day, the show will go on. Owners will merely move the cars into the racetrack's expansive clubhouse for an indoor show instead.
The awards ceremony, slated to start at 3 p.m., will take place in the racetrack's paddock area.
Some of the other events featured include an expanded "Ride & Drive," where drivers can test drive the latest sports cars manufactured by Porche, Bentley, Lexus, and Hyundai.
A new attraction will showcase 12 artists from around the country who work in different media to draw from the Age of the Automobile as their subject matter.
College students from the auto restoration program at McPherson College in Kansas - the only one of its kind in the country - will assemble a Model T from parts, in less than an hour, and drive it off to the awards ceremony.
If you go
What: Barrington Concours d'Elegance, Legends and Legacies
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine
Where: Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights
Cost: $35 at the gate, or $30 in advance, or VIP tickets, which include access to the Clubhouse, Terrace Suite and buffet, are $85 or $80 in advance. Children 3-12 are $5 and those under 2 are free
Note: Road rally for all through the Barrington area takes place 8 a.m. to noon Saturday; cost is $125; register online. Also, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, some of the Concourse cars will be displayed at the Ice House Mall, Foundry and Harris Bank and Flint Creek parking lots
More information: www.barringtonconcours.org