The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is quite possibly the most prestigious party of the Monterey Classic Car Week. The limited number of tickets are exclusive and hard to come by, selling out months in advance. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, The Quail is dedicated to commemorating the extraordinary history of the automobile industry in an epicurean setting. Designed to be a complete sensory experience, the day’s activities welcome some of the world’s most significant automobiles along with the finest in cuisine, followed by a unique series of awards that culminates with the Rolex Best In Show.
Amongst the automobiles are five dining vignettes, each with a geological theme chosen both to represent the cuisine of major automobile manufacturing countries and to highlight the products of local vendors. This year’s “Quail Epiqurean Delights” included the Carmel Valley Farmer’s Market, L’Esperienza Della Italiano, La Experiencia Cubana, Picadilly Pub and a Japanese table with live sushi chefs, in addition to the oyster, caviear and champagne bars that are open to all throughout the afternoon.
In addition to the cuisine, 169 cars were present on The Quail lawn this year. In a judging system that is unique to The Quail, entrants choose the winning car in their class, based on traditional criteria of exceptional design, technical interest and accurate restoration. All cars must be fully operational to compete and class winners are placed in the Rolex Circle of Champions for viewing once announced.
Rolex Best In Show
All of the day’s activities lead up to one key moment: the presentation of the Rolex Best In Show Award. The winner is chosen by the entrants as the automobile that distinguishes itself in both design and presentation. This year’s winner was Robert M. Lee of Nevada and his 1930 Bentley 4 ½ Liter Supercharged Gurney Nutting Two Seat Roadster. The car itself is one-of-a-kind, built exclusively for the Chairman of Bentley Motors Limited at the time, Captain Woolf Barnato. Built as a race car that never raced, this historical beauty has been lovingly preserved and restored throughout time by its passionate owners.
Mr. Lee was presented with a Rolex Timepiece for his achievement. “It feels great,” said Mr. Lee, of his Rolex Best In Show Award. “To win something like this is very difficult and there is a lot of work that goes into it.”
“Anytime you show a car, you always go into it telling yourself, ‘I think we’re going to win,’ you are always hopeful,” said Anne Brockinton Lee. “We had even practised how it was going to go if we won. And then today on the lawn there didn’t seem to be any hype or excitement about the car so we were discouraged. It goes to show that you just never know here. We are very excited as this is such a big deal for such a special car.”
The Reunion to Quail Run
One of the most unique traditions of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is the Reunion to Quail Run, an event co-organized with the California Highway Patrol and Gill Campbell of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, currently hosting the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Participating automobiles – this year including many of the Featured Marque Shelby Cobra cars – drive from the raceway over Laurels Grade and down Carmel Valley Road to The Quail. As the cars arrive, they thunder in to great applause and take position on the lawn. The racers then join for lunch before returning to the raceway in the afternoon.
The Quail Run is a special moment in the day, allowing a brief moment of unity for some of Monterey Classic Car Week’s main events, many happening simultaneously in different locations.
Source : Rolex