2020 Amelia Island Concours Weekend Guide

Enjoy the Show Like an Insider

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance celebrates its 25th birthday this year, and we’ve been there since the beginning. Going too? Crib from our notes: Here’s our visitor guide, complete with some extras gleaned from our experience. See you on the field.

Wednesday, March 4

Opening at 9 a.m.
Russo and Steele Amelia Island Auction Preview
City of Fernandina Municipal Airport
See the cars before they’re offered. $30 general admission.

Thursday, March 5

None

9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Gooding & Company, The Amelia Island Auction Preview
Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
More cars to check out before they’re offered. $30 admission.

10 a.m.–8 p.m.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Preview
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Ocean Front Lawn
See the lots before they cross the block.

Starting at 3 p.m.
Russo and Steele Amelia Island Auction Sale
City of Fernandina Municipal Airport
Cars will be offered via Russo and Steele’s unique auction in the round format. $30 general admission.

Times TBA
Bonhams, The Amelia Island Auction
Fernandina Beach Golf Club
More cars for sale.

Friday, March 6

Starting at 7 a.m.
PCA Werks Reunion
Amelia River Golf Club
Hundreds of Porsches will be on display-some to be judged, some just enjoying the day out. Free for spectators, but expect to pay a parking fee.

7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Porsche Driving Experience
Departs from Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
First stop the new Brumos museum. Second stop Naval Station Mayport, where participants will get behind the wheel of a new Porsche for autocross runs plus a “spirited ride with a professional driver.” $275 per car (2 people).

8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Reliable Carriers’ Eight Flags Road Tour
Departs from The Ritz-Carlton main driveway
Concours vehicles will tour the area, stopping for lunch in downtown Fernandina Beach for a public display. Free to watch.

9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Gooding & Company, The Amelia Island Auction and Preview
Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
The preview opens at 9 with bidding starting at 11 a.m. $30 admission.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Shopping, signing and more
The Ritz-Carton, Amelia Island
Manufacturer new car drives, automobilia sales, silent auctions and book signings. Free to browse.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Preview
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, Ocean Front Lawn
Another chance to see the offerings.

3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Seminar: Penske Perfect˛ Effort = Results
The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom
Ray Evernham will host a panel that traces Roger Penske’s career. Scheduled panelists include Penske himself plus George Follmer, Jim Hall. Rick Mears, John Mecom and Rusty Wallace.

Starting at 5 p.m.
Russo and Steele Amelia Island Auction Sale
City of Fernandina Municipal Airport
More cars will be offered via Russo and Steele’s unique auction in the round format. $30 general admission.

Saturday, March 7

None

8 a.m.-6 p.m.
MotorXpo
First hole of the Golf Club of Amelia Island
Check out some vendors and cool cars. Open to the public.

9 a.m.-11 a.m.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Preview
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, Ocean Front Lawn
Last chance to see the lots before they cross the block.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cars & Coffee at the Concours
First Fairway and show field and 10th & 18th Fairways of the Golf Club of Amelia Island
More than 400 classics and exotics from local clubs will be on display. Free to spectate.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Shopping, signing and more
The Ritz-Carton, Amelia Island
Another chance to check out new cars, pick up some automobilia, or bid in a silent auction. Open to the public.

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Saturday Seminar: Team Penske: The Early Years
The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom
Ray Evernham will host a panel with those who contributed to the Penske dynasty. Scheduled panelist to include Chuck Cantwell, Don Cox, Walt Czarnecki, Karl Kainhofer, Jay Signore, Judy Stropus and Woody Woodard. Closing comments by Roger Penske. $40 for general seating.

Starting at 11 a.m.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Saturday Auction
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Grand Ballroom
More than 80 select cars are expected to be offered. Admission is for registered bidders, sellers and credentialed media only.

Sunday, March 8

8 a.m.-6 p.m.
MotorXpo
First hole of the Golf Club of Amelia Island
Vendors and cool cars. Open to the public.

9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
The Golf Club of Amelia Island 10th & 18th Fairways
Time for the big show. General admission adult tickets start at $100; they’ll cost $150 at the gate. Some of the highlights on the day’s schedule:

9:45 a.m.: Honoree Roger Penske enters the show field from the Awards Tent.
10:30 a.m.: Sandra Alford Cars & Vintage Fashions Show starts at the Awards Tent.
11 a.m.: Chairman’s welcome, national anthem and flyover.
11:45 a.m.: Judges introduction.
12:15 p.m.-4 p.m.: Awards presentation.

WHY GO TO AMELIA?

The Amelia Island Concours has become one of the country’s most important shows and, unlike some others, often adds an extra dose of competition cars-significant machines that have defined motorsports through the years. This year’s show. scheduled for March 5–8 in Amelia Island, Florida. celebrates the cars of Harley Earl while honoring Roger Penske. For complete details and early ticket sales, check out ameliaconcours.org.

INSIDER TIPS

▰ Watch the weather forecast and the concours’ online channels. In the past, the big show has been rescheduled at the last minute due to inclement weather. (Welcome to Florida.)

▰ Area hotels will likely be booked by the time you read this. What about Jacksonville or Kingsland, Georgia?

▰ The concours isn’t a black-tie affair, but clean up enough to make Mom proud. A hat and some sunblock go a long way, too.

▰ The show takes place on grass. Choose appropriate footwear.

▰ Don’t park illegally, or you’ll likely find yourself walking home. Check the concours website for legal parking options.

▰ After you photograph a car, take a shot of the placard sitting in front of it so later you’ll know what’s what.

▰ Meet Peter Brock: He’ll be signing books all weekend. Look for Brock Friday inside the Ritz-Carlton– near the seminars–and at the Aerovault trailer display in the MotorXpo all day Saturday as well as Sunday afternoon.

▰ Stay until the end. After the final trophy is presented, the cars fire up and clear the greens. If you’re lucky, you might get to help push one that’s reluctant to start.

▰ Our Orange Blossom Tour wraps up in Florida just before the concours weekend, meaning you can combine errands into one fantastic trip. Details, schedule and more: orangeblossomtour.com.

Join Free Join our community to easily find more Amelia Island and Concours d'Elegance articles.