Concours

Band director Tim Reynolds looks over some of Grandma Pat Bauderer’s art work. (Photo C Kugler)Late October can be a risky time for a Car Show in northern Nevada with rapidly changing weather conditions and widely variable temperatures. The opportunity to give back to the community and help a worthy organization was a strong inducement for club member Gilbert Dayao, Gilson Autobody, to sponsor a charity show and shine to help the Spanish Springs High School Marching Band reach their goal of marching in the Main Street Parade at Disneyland during Spring Break 2010. Acting on short notice Gilbert put together a team of car people, band parents, school administrators and even Department of Public Safety staff (DPS/NHP) to organize, publicize and execute a quality car show in 7 weeks. Lead by Band Mom and DPS team member Lynn Brooks, a solid and focused group of 12 people (including our own Rich Wyett) started identifying key elements of a successful show, assigning duties, notifying the local car clubs and securing donations. Raffle and silent auction items were targeted not only from area “car” related sponsors but also from community businesses.

4th Annual Silver State Concours…

Or, “How I spent Saturday afternoon defending my spotlessly clean car against rogue weather”

Grandma Pat Bauderer shines up her original 1966 911 Coupe before judging starts. (Photo by C Kugler)Rain is nice from the inside looking out – think of Fall colors, cool temperatures, warm fireplaces, and all the SPEED Channel you handle. But rain is not your friend when you want your car to look its best. For those attending the Meet and Greet on Saturday, September 12th in anticipation of showing off their cars for prizes, trophies and bragging rights at the 4th annual Silver State Concours on Sunday, September 13th , rain is what we got…at least for an hour.

So what is this thing you call “concours”? In short, it is a beauty contest – check that, cleanliness contest - for cars. In summary, he or she that uses the greatest number of microfiber towels and Q-Tips wins! But the Silver State Concours is more than that. Held 45 miles south of Reno in Gardnerville with the Sierra Nevada as the western backdrop in the fertile Carson Valley, it’s the premier weekender/getaway in the Zone 7 Concours series.This translates into 2 days of camaraderie, car stories, car-spiffing, conversation and consumption of good food and adult beverage. But you don’t need to be a Q-Tipper to participate and enjoy it.

SThe “all girl judging team” at work includes Jordan & Bernadette Gersh, Cindy Wyett and Sharon Neidel. (Photo by C Kugler)ome of the best advice Larry Sharp gave me as the incoming Zone Rep was not to miss the Silver State Concours Weekend. After attending this event I can see why. Julia & Buzz Lynn and the volunteers from the Sierra Nevada region put on a well organized and totally enjoyable event.

David and I arrived Saturday afternoon to find none other than Larry Sharp washing his car. A few sprinkles of rain didn’t deter the last minute cleaning. We had just enough time to clean up both ourselves and the car before joining the welcoming reception. I met a lot of very nice people at the reception and just out in the lot finding out about their beautiful cars. So many people have very interesting stories behind the ownership of their Porsche. I even took the tech quiz.

Racing legend Sir Sterling Moss at the Pebble Beach Concours. (Photo by F Nelson)My wife and I attended this year's Concours at Pebble Beach and fortunately we had Porsche VIP guest passes which gave us preferred parking and admission to a fabulous Porsche hospitality suite at the Del Monte Lodge with a balcony directly above the cars as they paraded by to get their trophies at the end. It's hard to put in to words the week long experience in Monterey and Pebble Beach which culminates on the third Sunday of August. With the pre-Historics, the literature fair, the Quail, Concorso Italiano, the Historics, the numerous auctions and the Concours at Pebble, it is impossible to take in everything.