Amelia News: Homecoming of Champions, Brumos Collection and More

by Cyndi Paceley Share
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EmailJacksonville, FL — Activities related to Sunday’s Silver Anniversary Amelia Island Concours get underway today, including a reunion of motorsport stars who have served as past honorees of the event.
Photo: Robin ThompsonAmong those expected for the homecoming of champions are Bobby Rahal, Sam Posey, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser, Hurley Haywood, David Hobbs, Emerson Fittipaldi, Brian Redman, Jacky Ickx and Vintage Motorsport columnist Jochen Mass.
Photo: Amelia Island Concours“The Amelia has always been as much about people as it has about cars,” said Bill Warner, Founder and Chairman of the event. “This seems like the perfect way to celebrate our 25th anniversary.”

Roger Penske — racing champion, team owner and now owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar race series — is this year’s honoree, and four classes of his cars will celebrate his unique career at the pinnacle of international motorsport.

Included in that mix is a trio of Penske’s Bahamas Speed Week winners, led by the Brumos Porsche RS 61 that took Penske to his first Bahamas victory in 1961. Speaking of that, we hope you’ve read Jim McCraw’s Mar/Apr Vintage Motorsport article about the new 35,000-square-foot facility in Jacksonville that houses the Brumos Collection.

“We’ll miss our only two-time honoree, Stirling Moss,” said Warner. “Our World Champion Phil Hill, 1964 World Champion John Surtees and Carroll Shelby are gone, but their spirit, the style and the accomplishments they brought to the industry and our sport are still part of The Amelia’s legacy.”

And in light of the COVID-19 virus, officials of the Amelia Island Concours are working with local public health authorities and monitoring advisories from the CDC and the World Health Organization as part of ensuring the health and safety of event participants. In addition to taking proactive steps, officials ask anyone who shows any flu-like symptoms to stay home.

 

Newly-Opened Brumos Collection Stars McQueen’s 917K

by Cyndi PaceleylJacksonville, FL – After much anticipation, a new 35,000-square-foot facility in Jacksonville, Fla., has opened to showcase the wide range of Brumos’ historic road and race cars, and unveiled its star attraction, the 1970 Porsche 917K driven by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans. navigating the turns at Circuit Dijon Prenios.
Photo: Brumos CollectionAfter the car was featured in the film, it sat in a barn for more than two decades before it was discovered in 2001 and restored to race glory. Gooding & Company sold the car at its 2017 Pebble Beach auction for more than $14 million.
Photo: Brumos CollectionBeyond the 917, the collection’s highlights include the 1968 Porsche 908 that Jo Siffert and Vic Elford drove to victory at the Nürburgring 1000 km. There’s also a 1923 Miller 122 Grand Prix, the first American race car bought to race in Europe; a 1972 Porsche 917-10 Can-Am racer; and a 1958 Watson Sprint car.
Photo: Brumos CollectionStay tuned for an article about the museum by Vintage Motorsport columnist Jim McCraw in the March/April issue. In the meantime, learn more and plan to visit during current hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Note that tickets can only be purchased online.

 

Haywood to be first guest on new Brumos Collection 'Inside the 59' series

Image by Motorsport Images
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emailBy RACER Staff | 12 hours ago

The Brumos Collection has announced the launch of ‘Inside The 59’, a series of monthly Facebook/Instagram live special events that will feature both on-site and remote guests, including prominent members of the international motorsports and collector car worlds.

Paying tribute to the iconic Brumos 59 motorsports brand, the series will get underway at noon ET on June 25 with a special visit from legendary racer Hurley Haywood. Viewers can tune in through the Brumos Collection’s Facebook or Instagram page. For updates on ‘Inside The 59’, please follow @TheBrumosCollection on Facebook and Instagram.

Opened in January, the magnificent 35,000 square-foot interactive museum is dedicated to the technology, innovation and historical significance behind some of the world’s finest automobiles. Home to more than three dozen rare, historically acclaimed race and collector cars, the facility has been closed to the public since March, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Although we’ve been closed to the public for almost four months, interest in our collection continues to be remarkable,” said Executive Director Brandon Starks. “As the first person to join us, Hurley was a natural choice, because he has played such a critical role in the success of our brand, both on and off the racetrack. This will also give fans a one-of-a-kind experience and an opportunity to send in questions that will be incorporated into our conversation.”

With five overall victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Haywood is credited with the 1988 Trans-Am title, two IMSA GT Championship titles and 23 wins, three Norelco Cup championships, a SuperCar title and 18 IndyCar starts.

In fitting tribute to his four-decade partnership with Brumos, the Collection is highlighted by displays of Haywood’s most famous racecars, including his Porsche 917/10 Can-Am; the 1971 IMSA GT championship-winning 1971 Porsche 914/6 GT driven by Haywood and teammate Peter Gregg; the 1970 Porsche 911S that initiated Haywood’s relationship with Brumos; his 1978 Daytona-winning Porsche 911 RSR; 1979 Porsche 935; the 1991 Porsche 964 Turbo IMSA Supercar; and the 1986 Porsche 962 Haywood drove with partner A.J. Foyt. In addition, a trove of championship trophies and memorabilia tracing Haywood’s brilliant career is showcased at the Collection.

Hurley Haywood,