10-03-2025
Concorso Italiano Adding New Event Friday Night Before Saturday Show
Concorso Italiano has added a new event the night before, featuring all kinds of cars parked in the same space as the big show.
The new event is called The Paddock, held on the grounds of the Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside, California, on Friday Aug. 15.
Admission is $49.50, or $82.50 to display a car. Getting into Concorso the next day, Saturday Aug. 16, is $204.50, but only $207.50 to display a car and you get two people in free with each car. So go buy an Alfa Romeo now!
As Concorso Italiano prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary Saturday, August 16, as part of the annual pre-Pebble Beach festivities, word is a new event will be added the night before.
International Car Week, the new parent company of Concorso Italiano, will hold a multi-marque companion event the Friday before Concorso in the exact same spot at Bayonet Black Horse golf course in Seaside, California.
'We recently gathered representatives from multiple Italian Car Clubs. We had several dozen in the room and in a live feed, and they are all fired up about the event and engaging their club members and car owners,' said a spokesperson. 'It's inspiring.'
The new event will be held 3 pm to 8 pm on Friday, August 15, at Bayonet Black Horse, home of Concorso Italiano. The new happening will be part of the International Car Week concept unfolding as additional events will be held on the property, we were told.
'Ultimately, the Grand Hyatt resort currently under construction will serve as home base for these events, offering top-notch accommodations, restaurants, bars, ballrooms, and more for guests.'
The key word there being, 'ultimately.' It could be three years before the fabulous new Grand Hyatt will be finished.
In the meantime, you can bring your Italian car to what is being called—as near as we can tell—The Paddock, on Friday night, August 16. Admission to The Paddock is $49,50, according to the website. If you want to display a car, it's $82.50.
Admission to Concorso Italiano the next day is $204,50. But, if you display a car it's $207.50 and you can bring two people in (more if you illegally smuggle them in the trunk, which we are not recommending). Motorcycles are $132.50 to get into Concorso Italiano.
'Think of The Paddock as a multi-marque Concorso Italiano event, meant to broaden opportunities on the Peninsula during Monterey Car Week for those excluded from other events,' said the spokesperson (Wait, people are being excluded?).
'If a German, French, American, Italian, or other car club wants a display on the green, we'll make that happen for them. We'll give them their own tent with a bar and food and they can have their own party within our event.'
A bar? Food? Yeah!
The new event starts later in the day Friday to accommodate cars and spectators who may visit The Quail, The Historic Races, or other events earlier in the day, organizers said.
'The Paddock will be held outside in the very same location as Concorso. In fact, the same tents will be in place both days for sponsors, vendors, food service, merch, etc.,' said a release sent to car clubs.
Concorso, meanwhile, will have its usual 'celebration of Italian cars and style (that) will reunite owners, collectors, and enthusiasts for a day of camaraderie and stunning vehicles including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and more.'
'My goal for the 2025 event is to recapture the spirit of our early days, when guests gathered to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections. The car owners, car clubs, and enthusiasts are the heart and soul of Concorso Italiano,' said Concorso Chairman Tanya Kosta. 'Our 40th anniversary will be a celebration to thank them for making this event so special.'
If anyone has extra trunk space, let me know.
