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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Bernard Martin MORGANTOWN, WV. - Concours LLC is excited to announce the launch of a new ongoing series of videos entitled "Through the Gears". The video series captures the history and backstories of people and cars in the Concours, Car Show and Racing Communities.
"Wayne's spot on," says Bernard Martin, "and then the idea evolved, Given what we do, we are often privy to some wonderful stories and anecdotes that later become the stuff of legend. Ferrari's adoption of the Cavallino Rampante is a great example: Many are familiar with the story of how Ferrari was given the emblem of the fighter ace but few know the connection it has to Porsche. In this series we're not going to just talk cars, we're going to take a page out of James Burke's "Connections" series from the 1970's." On "Through the Gears" your hosts will talk about the stuff that most others forget to ask or don't think it's important to talk about. How did you family become involved in the industry? What where your influences? How did this come about? Why did you do this? The series will also take a deep dive into some iconic collector cars and the people who own them. And , yes, of course we will still talk about cars!! Look for these up coming shows:
ABOUT CONCOURS LLC Concours LLC provides a level professionalism and best practices to those people and organizations seeking to create a successful automotive event. We offer our clients a wide range of services from Strategy and Planning to complete marketing, design and management of the event for you. From creating and managing every aspect of a Concours to developing a touring series, we have a product specialist at our disposal that brings years of experience to the effort.
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This is an interview conducted by the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance.  Paul has been a car enthusiast since his early childhood. He is a retired engineer who spent more than 40 years in the automotive supplier industry and has degrees in engineering, mathematics and physics. And he has been involved with every facet of the Hilton HeadIsland Concours d'Elegance. He provided guidance to our founder, Dr. Paul Doerring, before the event opened, helped with the transition to the Port Royal Golf Club, regularly sources cars, and was the 2018 Honored Collector.
We had a chance to sit down with our long-time friend, Paul, to learn a little more about this year's Chief Judge. Q: What was your first car? A: A 1954 Chevrolet nine passenger station wagon (Woodie). It was a "hand me down" from my family. I used to pull into the filling station and say "check the gas and fill up the oil please." I thought that it was the ugliest car on the road, but it got me around at a time when other guys my age did not have a car. I always had lots of friends because we could "triple date" in it, and we went to lots of drive-in theaters. I actually think that it looks pretty nice now. Must be old age, right? My next car was a 1959 Renault Dauphine with a hopped up motor. But that's another story. Q: How would you describe your collection? What is it you look for when adding to your collection? A: My collection is very eclectic. I never met a car I didn't like, and I never bought a car because it was, or might become, valuable. I bought the car because it was a love affair. If the styling or the engineering or the ownership or its participation in an event appealed to me, a little bell inside my head told me to "buy that car." If I didn't like it I would often tell a friend about it so that they could buy it. And many times they did. So using this "love affair sense," I gradually built up my collection. I did not really give it much thought, but one day it occurred to me that all the cars in my collection were what I call "onesies or twosies." In other words, they were the only one known to exist, the only one built, one of only a few known to exist, and many of them had belonged to famous people or participated in events. So I am proud to tell people if you come to my house to see my cars, and you have seen another car like mine, I have failed you. I still look for styling, engineering and provenance when considering the purchase of a car. Q: What do you look for when judging a car? A: I like original cars. They can be original from the factory or be authentically restored. While I think that modified or custom cars are great and reflect the builders artistic abilities and taste, I still prefer them to be original. That said, I judge them using my engineering background. I spent over 40 years as an engineer in the automotive manufacturing environment and watched it evolve around me. So I learned the methods of workmanship and the materials available decade by decade. If you know and understand these you can pretty much judge any car. For example, if I am judging a car built in the early 1920s and I find a Phillips head screw somewhere, then that car scores less than normal because the Phillips head screw wasn't invented until around 1934. So it could not have possibly been available when the car in question was manufactured. This same logic can be applied to paints, welding, soldering, brazing, wiring, upholstery, tires, plating, etc. So I look to make sure that the material was available and the method of manufacturing is correct for the year of manufacture. But this is not the only thing I judge. Once I have judged the car "technically" I then judge it "culturally." Was the color or details like pin striping and monograms actually something that owners would have done when the car was new? Purple cars did not roll off the assembly lines. They were built on special order. So was the car a special order? As you might suspect, asking the right questions leads a judge to find out more about the car and its present owner's knowledge. Q: What's your favorite car from past Hilton Head Island Concours events? Why? A: There have been so many great cars exhibited at the Hilton Head Concours over the years. It is hard to pick a favorite. I tend to love Pre-War cars because of their history and early engineering. But I grew up in the 1960s during which it can arguably be said that some of the most exciting cars were designed and built. You might say I was on the sidelines watching. But these are not "old cars" to me because I grew up with them. Old cars are cars that I did not get to drive growing up. Hence, my preference for Pre-War cars. All this being said, I prefer the brass era cars and full classics as defined by the CCCA. Now that I have truly confused you, my favorite car shown at the HHI Concours is a 1915 Crane Simplex Roadster from the Jack Rich Collection. It satisfies the "brass era" HCCA definitions but looks for all the world like a late 1920s full classic roadster. It checks two boxes. And it has a huge engine! Q: What is your (or some of your) favorite thing(s) about the HHI Concours? A: The Hilton Head Concours is exciting to me. I love the fact that each year little things are different. I imagine that some people might even come to see what is different from one year to the next. The Concours has always been right on the cutting edge of enthusiast interest. It started showing production cars when that was a "no - no" at other Concours. It started showing trucks when that was just not done. Now it shows boats and airplanes too as well as motorcycles. You could say the HHI Concours is about transportation. It also has a performance element and racing when many other Concours don't have an interest or a facility to do so. Each year the tours are always good, varied and interesting. For the last several years the HHI Concours is multi-tasking events on Saturday with the club day two fairways and another show or display a third fairway. What is not to like? Finally, the weather is generally very good and still very pleasant compared to what's going on around the country with winter setting in. Oh, did I mention the "Southern Hospitality"? For more on this year's Chief Judge, Paul Ianuario, click here. Interested in showing a car in this year's Concours? Applications are currently being accepted. Click here to apply  With the COVID-19 vaccine rolling out across the world, marketers are anxious to plan their big return to in-person events. But a post-pandemic events strategy will require careful thought and planning. Several health and events experts have come together to bring you guidelines for what that might look like. This report was put together by the folks at Splash. Splash is designed to help teams build and host virtual, in-person, and hybrid events, Splash enables people to do what they love: create memorable experiences, new connections, and business value. Through the powerful combination of data and design, teams can market, measure, and scale their event programs quickly and in ways that were previously impossible. Post Pandemic, here's what you should be looking at:
From the Fernandina Observer April 28, 2021 Popular annual motoring film festival announces featured film, special guests as part of 5th annual edition AMELIA ISLAND, FL, APRIL 27, 2021 – Since its inception in 2017, the Grand Motoring Hangar Night has thrilled audiences with the breathtaking confluence of cinematic art and automotive excitement. This year, however, the festivities kick into high gear with a slew of special events throughout the evening.  As the southeast’s premiere source for automotive films, Grand Motoring has screened some legendary movies such as “Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman,” “The 24 Hour War” and “Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans.” This year’s featured film, shown alongside a series of acclaimed shorts, takes moviegoers inside the illegal, underground world of U.S. transcontinental racing with “APEX: The Secret Race Across America.” Following thrill racers Alex Roy and Dave Maher as they tear across America in a BMW M5 in pursuit of a new coast-to-coast Cannonball record, and narrated by Ice-T, this film shines the spotlight on the secretive world of transcontinental racing. Star Alex Roy will be on hand during this year’s Hangar Night to introduce the film and answer questions from the audience. “I’m really excited to share this film, and I think it’s going to be eye-opening for a lot of people who didn’t realize this whole culture of cross-country racing exists.” But more than simply the films, Grand Motoring Hangar Night is an opportunity for participants to view some jaw-dropping collector and classic cars on display. This year, two separate rally tours will end with a checkered flag at Hangar Night, adding to an already exciting evening. The first, Hagerty’s Amelia Island or Bust Tour, will end their multi-day rally at the event for the fifth consecutive year. Starting off outside of Baltimore on May 15, this rally will criss-cross the backroads of the southeastern U.S. before roaring into the finish line at Hangar Night. The second rally is the Amelia Island region’s home-grown “Coastal Motoring Tour,” organized by Concours LLC. Launching from the legendary Brumos Collection, and running through some of the area’s most scenic highways and byways, the Coastal Motoring Tour will arrive just in time for Hangar Night. Use the button below to register now for the Coastal Motoring Tour. Space is limited. “Every year we try to find some way to top the previous installment of Grand Motoring Hangar Night,” said organizer Guy Smith. “Already our fifth annual event is shaping up to the best ever, and we still have a few surprise announcements to make as we get closer to pulling back the curtain.”
Presenting sponsor for Grand Motoring Hangar Night will be long-time supporter of the event MonroneyLabels.com. Offering meticulous reproductions of original automobile window stickers, MonroneyLabels.com puts the power to research a used car in the hands of buyers and sellers. “We have been proud to support Grand Motoring Hangar Night since the very beginning,” said Ned Nielsen of MonroneyLabels.com. “We couldn’t think of a better way to salute the art of the automobile.” In addition to inspired films, static displays and celebrations of automotive culture, guests at Grand Motoring Hangar Night will enjoy delicious cuisine prepared safely as well as stringent safety protocols, temperature checks and social distancing. Advanced registration required. For more information, visit www.grandmotoring.com/amelia-hangar-night When & Where: 6:00PM-10:00PM Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the Amelia Aerodrome, located off of Shannon Road, Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, Amelia Island Florida 32034. (Registered guests provided address and parking instructions.) Concours LLC is excited to announce a motoring tour that will take place Thursday the 20th of May. It will include stops at the Brumos Collection and the Grand Motoring Hanger Night "Film Festival".  Morgantown, WV. - Ready for a great way to kick-off your post -Covid Amelia Island Concours weekend? Concours LLC is excited to announce a motoring tour that will take place Thursday the 20th of May, leading up to the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance that happens on Sunday the 23rd of May. "We started talking about how we needed to do a drive up the coast and thought we could do that and then head to the Grand Motoring Hanger Night & film festival. Then some others said they hadn't been to Brumos Collection yet. As I started digging into it we decided to just wrap it all in package, plan the thing invite some friends. Then it grew legs!" according to Bernard Martin at Concours LLC. After enjoying the incredible displays at the Brumos Collection, we'll be departing for our drive up the coast. We are sure you are going to love the incredible coastal views of th drive. You'll get a short break to take in the views during our ferry ride at the midpoint of the drive. Then we continue the final leg to dinner and movies. The evening takes flight at the Fernandina Municipal Airport with hors d'oeuvres, a special 'Floribbian' dinner, a cash bar, and most importantly, a beautiful display of our touring cars at the Amelia Aerodrome as the Sun sets. We will be served dinner before the public arrives which give us plenty of time to take in the cars and ambiance. The evening continues at the Amelia Aerodrome with a unique experience for automotive enthusiasts as we enjoy the Grand Motoring Hanger Night "film festival"! It's going to be all about the passion of this car hobby. Tickets are $95 per person. You single ticket gets you admission to all of the following:
More details will be released to registered participants. According to Wayne Long at Concours LLC, "We wanted to keep this affordable and accommodate everyone's busy Amelia schedule but also do some good and rain money for a local charity." Brumos Collection For those not familair, Brumos Racing was an automobile racing team based in Jacksonville, Florida that started by Peter Gregg in 1971. The race team wasa part of the IMSA GT Championship, and was sponsored by Brumos Porsche car dealership, which Peter owned. Brumos won the 24 Hours of Daytona four times. In 1973, Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood won with a Porsche Carrera RS. They repeated in 1975. In 1978, Peter Gregg won a third time with a Porsche 935/77, together with Rolf Stommelen and Toine Hezemans. Thirty-one years later David Donohue, Antonio García, Darren Law and Buddy Rice won the race in a Riley Mk XI with a Porsche engine in the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona. The Brumos Collection opened just before the pandemic in 2020 and it's quickly become on a bucket list must -do place to visit for automotive enthusiasts. The museum was designed to take guests through two unique experiences: The first section of the collection features open cockpit racers and early automotive innovations, with the oldest being an 1894 Peugeot. Besides the cars, there are engines, vintage racing equipment and drivers’ gear. All of the cars have a kiosk that provides the car’s history, vintage photographs and stat sheets detailing car specifications. The second area is full of Porsche race cars from 1953-2017. The cases in this section are filled with legendary race trophies and awards throughout the years. Grand Motoring Hanger Night "Grand Motoring Hanger Night" formally the "Amelia Motoring Film Exhibition" that has grown since its launch in 2017 and sells out early every year. Centered around an immersive visual experience of automotive film content, the evening includes a display of classic & collector vehicles, sponsor displays, and food & drink. This year attendees will enjoy a special ‘Floribbian’ dinner with an expanded cash bar in our open air indoor/outdoor venue that will provide for plenty of social distancing space. Official film selections to be announced. There will be plenty of popcorn to watch the screening as the Grand Motoring Hanger Night is presented by Guy Smith at Popcorn Octane. “Creating this event has been a blast. There’s so much to celebrate when it comes to the art of the automobile and the culture that revolves around motoring, and so many fantastic films that embody that spirit,” said event organizer Guy Smith of Popcorn Octane Productions. “We were delighted at the response we received to last year’s event and can’t wait to top that excitement this year with a new name and logo!” REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021 EVENT IS NOW CLOSED.
BUT, STAY IN TOUCH, WE'LL DO THIS AGAIN! Rock n Rad is a 1980's & 90's themed car show event featuring live music, a concert and a driving tour that will launch August 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh' Hartwood Acres. Do you realize that you can now get antique plates for cars made in 1994? 25 years may not seem that long ago to some, but to others it's by-gone era with the growing following.
Several people in local Western Pa and West Virginia Car Clubs had been interested in attending a Rad er car show but discovered that that many where not friendly to out-of-town guests: There was not a host hotel or any help for visitors. Bernie Martin, from Concours LLC, was asked if he was interested in lending a hand with planning and that's how Concours LLC got involved. "Thats what we set Concours LLC up to do. Develop new automotive events!" according to Bernie. "We're using the Doubletree Hilton in Cranberry Twp, PA as our host hotel. We just used the same facility last summer for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club 2020 Convention and they really work well with automotive events." "We then turned to Allegheny Country Parks which hosts a series of free concerts on Sundays in the Summer at Hartwood Acres. We suggested we wanted to bring Rad Era cars and park in the grassy parking area used for the Polo Matches. We asked if they could book us a Rad Era band for the evening." "In other words, lets have an 80's - 90's themed car show in the afternoon and let the audience hang around into the evening and put down their blankets in the natural amphitheater of Hartwood Acres. The team at Allegheny County Parks was excited and enthusiastic to make it happen and things really just fell in to place from there!" said Bernie
Arrangements have already been made to install a second stage just for the Rock n Rad event and there will most definitely be Rad Era music all day. Other things in the works include awards and some special display cars. Pre-Registration is only $20 per car and will include some special collectible gift bag items. Sponsor tents are available. The tents are uniquely situated to be at the crest of the Hartwood Ampitheatre bowl which is also the crest of the hill for the car show as well. It presents a very unique opportunity to entertain your customers for an entire day at very unique event. Contact [email protected] or call him at 412.996.5700 for more information. Concours LLC is very excited to have been invited to help plan and organize this inaugural event. Let us know if you plan to be there. www.rocknrad.com Our very own Paul Ianuario has been been named Chief Judge for the first post pandemic Hilton Head Concours d' Elegance!  Paul has been a car enthusiast since his early childhood. He is a retired engineer who spent more than 40 years in the automotive supplier industry and has degrees in engineering, mathematics and physics. Upon retirement Paul started his own business. His company provides consulting services and support for museums and vehicle-related events. He was under contract for twenty years as the Curator of the BMW Zentrum in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Paul does work for many museums as well as provides consulting services for a variety of collector-car events. He is on the Steering Committees and Boards of several major automotive museums. In the spring of 2001 Dale Moss called Paul and asked whether he would come to Hilton Head Island to talk with a group of people who were interested in hosting a car show. Paul agreed and made the trip with his wife, Dinky. While on the island, he looked at the planned location for the proposed show which was behind a local shopping center. Paul told the group that they would have trouble promoting a high-end show in such a location and suggested that they find another location where they could host a “Concours,” not a “car show.” Dr. Paul Doerring became a promoter for this idea; as a result, he asked Paul and Dinky to make a number of trips to Hilton Head Island in the months that followed to help with decisions like event location, the choice of featured marques, obtaining sponsors, etc. As a result, Paul Ianuario became an integral part of the “Concours” group and helped build the event into what it has become today. Paul is the HHIC Senior Consultant, a member of the Concours Board of Directors, and an Honorary Judge. Paul has been part of the Concours since its inception in 2002. He and Dinky continue to be strong supporters of the Hilton Head Motoring Festival. Paul is not just an organizer or supporter, he is an active enthusiast. His private collection consists of several dozen automobiles ranging from 1908 to 1972. Many are unique cars with significant history and/or full Classics. He performs all his own restoration work. He is a member of many marque clubs and a number of National and International societies such as the Society of Automotive Engineers and the Society of Automobile Historians. He is the past Executive Director of IAGMASEP which represents 80 automotive training schools in the USA and around the world. Paul is the Senior Advisor for HVA in North America and for the FIVA Technical Commission in Europe. He is a recipient of the prestigious Lee Iacocca Award for his contributions in preserving automotive history. Paul is an AACA Judge as well as a CCCA Master Judge. He is the Chief Judge at a number of major Concours events around the country, and each year he judges at the the Amelia Island Concours, the Pebble Beach Concours, the Hilton Head Island Concours and many others around the USA. He has previously been the Chief Judge at Hilton Head on a number of occasions. Paul and Dinky, his wife of 55 years, live in Duncan, South Carolina. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2021 Concours d'Elegance (Sunday, Nov. 7). For more information on the requirements to participate in these events and to submit an application for 2021, CLICK HERE.
Any questions about showing a vehicle at any of the events at the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival, contact our Exhibitor Concierge, Meredith Kronz, at (843) 785-7469 ext. 4 or [email protected]. Car Clubs, Racers and Supporters Raise $60,000 for PVGP Charities with Shifting Gears Campaign12/16/2020  Bernie Martin, Media Director, explains that the idea for the Rallies started with a conversation at Amelia Island Concours as Covid was breaking out. It also led to Bernie's involvement in Rally Accross America. PITTSBURGH, PA (December, 2020) Like many large-scale events this year, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix was affected by the pandemic. Ten days of car shows, races and motorsport parties were canceled, but that didn’t stop the Grand Prix from delivering a meaningful donation for our charitable partners. This past May, the PVGP announced it was canceling its 2020 Race Week events and “Shifting Gears” to encourage its car club partners to get out on the road in the safety of their own cars. The result – more than two dozen events were held throughout the summer and fall, raising $60,000! We applaud our racers, volunteers, car club partners and event participants who got involved and made incredible efforts to keep the Grand Prix spirit alive. From staging events to donating their 2020 registration fees, the response was overwhelming and vital to our charity mission.” said Dan DelBianco, PVGP executive director. Joseph S. Martz, president of Merakey Allegheny Valley School, said, “thank you for all you did to make lemonade out of lemons, we are incredibly grateful to the PVGP and its supporters for putting your hearts and souls into the “Shifting Gears” campaign.” Jesse Torisky, CEO of the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, exclaimed “during this pandemic autistic people haven’t stopped being autistic and they need our services now more than ever and likewise, the PVGP supporters have not stopped working – we are humbled by their tireless efforts. Sixteen racers generously donated their 2020 race entry fees, crossing the finish line with a whopping $10,450 donation! PVGP Chairman Jim Dolan was the first racer to make a donation and said “this has been an unprecedented display of what community involvement is all about and I thank everyone”. Stu Long and the team at Nelson Ledges staged a Test & Tune in August to benefit the PVGP and added $1,150 more! The Porsche Club raised $6,100 with Parade Laps in Schenley Park on our normally scheduled Race Day on Sunday, July 26, and they also held several driving tours. The idea to get together was the mastermind of Ed Rice, President of the Allegheny Region Porsche Club. “The impromptu event was a stunning success”, according to Ed “I was in a melancholy mood when the event was canceled and I just didn’t want to sit around and do nothing that weekend. Then I thought, what the heck, every year in the days before Race Weekend in Schenley Park I drive the racecourse to get into the vibe of the PVGP. I decided I was going to invite all of my Porsche Club friends to join me.”
The Pittsburgh Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club matched the first $1,000, of member donations for a $2,555 donation and added $1,000 with a fall road tour to Moraine State Park. Jason Uhler and the Greater Pittsburgh Mustang Club raised $2,137 while touring the countryside in their pony cars in our Orange Belt Tour in July. The Marque of the Year Corvettes, led by Jim Kinest, staged a Corvette Club Caravan Challenge in May and donated their 2020 registration fees, $1,448!
Karen Hanchett and Patrick Martin staged two Motorbike Tours to Jamison Farm in Latrobe that raised $1,200. Bud Osbourne and the Western PA Triumph Association worked on these tours and the PVGP July Countryside Tour that raised $2,030.
The Rolls Royce & Bentley Club raised a grand total of $14,080 through three separate events. Greg & Christie Farrell hosted a party at their home in June, raising $1,400. Bentley Pittsburgh hosted a car show at their dealership in Wexford in September that brought in $7,950. With an auction of her Handmade Glass Art Terri Hohmann added $3,530, and Rolls Royce Club President Chris Davis’s neighbors’ “Little Miss Cookie Squad” baked and sold cookies weekly this summer for $1,200. The ALFISTI Alfa Romeo Club pledged $1,000 from its July Over the River Tour. West Penn Miata Club raised $800 with its own kick-off style Rallye. Jack and Cathy Dernorsek led the 3 Rivers Region Model A Restorers Club on a Red Belt Tour in August that brought in $465. Land Rover North Hills sponsored the October 24/25 Fall Car Show at Pitt Race Complex that raised $2,100 the same weekend that the Western PA Triumph Club and Gary Fredo hosted a road tour netting $1,555. To get the PVGP over the $60,000 mark the Greater Pittsburgh MG Club donated $1,000 from its membership. Bernard Martin's Pro Bono efforts to raise money for charities across the US during the pandemic6/24/2020  Bernie Martin, Dan DelBianco, Jason Moka and JIm Neville hosted a Rally to raise money for the PVGP charities With the pandemic raging around the world and most car events cancelled for the foreseeable future many charities are being left with no fundraisers. Concours marketing leader Bernard Martin recently stepped up to the plate to offer his services to help charities across the country. According to Bernie, "The conversation actually started at Amelia Island early this year. Dan DelBianco and I where sitting at the pool late Sunday afternoon and we where more or less reaching the conclusion that we may not be able to hold any. PVGP events this summer. I suggested that we get all 17 car clubs and encourage them to drive their cars in a series of fundraising rallies. We had just completed hosting the 2019 Alfa Romeo Owners Club convention and had used the belt system around Pittsburgh for a number of the driving tours so we had a ready made tour route with signage already in place." The Pittsbrugh Vintage Grand Prix has renamed this year theme to "Shifting Gears" as a result of that conversation. In early Spring Lilly Pray approached Bernie about a project that she had become involved in called "Rally Across America". Lilly has been a highly respected concours judge for many years and she was the first Ambassador for the effort. The founders of "Rally Across America", Jim and Wendy Petty, wanted to create a website and social media for their concept of raising $1 Million for charities across the United States by helping car clubs and car aficionados host driving events for their local charities. Bernie told Lilly that this project was right in his wheelhouse as he was already planning events for the Three Rivers Alfisti to raise money for the PVGP. Bernie created the website and social media for the organizations and also create all of the "Rally-in-a-Box" tools needed to ambassadors to create their own driving event. He tested a number of auto touring and rally apps for mobile devices and included the functions for the Rally Ambassadors.  Lilly Pray, Rally Across America Ambassador & Joan Slaughter Founder of Morgan Adams Foundation Lilly Pray has a passion for cars, she’s been channeling that energy into an organized drive that will give back to the community. Lilly, a nurse in Boulder, Colorado, serves an ambassador for Rally Across America, a grassroots organization whose goal is to raise more than $1 million for nonprofit groups across the U.S.
Lilly jumped at the opportunity to help Rally Across America, which hosted its inaugural drive on June 7, with proceeds going to the Connecticut Foodbank. A total of 41 cars took part, with each driver donating the suggested $100. New Record $410,000 Donation – the 7th Record Donation in the Last 8 Years! The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) and its presenting sponsor, the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association, (GPADA) presented a record $410,000 check to the PVGP Charities. The presentation took place on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the “Dancing with the Cars” party – the opening preview of the Pittsburgh International Auto Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The check represents the funds raised by the PVGP throughout 2018, combined with the proceeds from the GPADA’s Dancing with the Cars party that night.  (left to right) Unveiling the donation check are John Putzier – CEO Greater Pittsburgh Automobile dealers Association, Brian Urban – PVGP Assistant Race Director, Bernie Martin – PVGP Cortile and Social Media, Elizabeth Humphrey – Merakey AVS Ambassador, Anita Iyengar – Autism Society of Pittsburgh Ambassador, Dan Wind – President GPADF, Matt Diehl – President GPADA and Dan DelBianco – Executive Director PVGP. Photo by Amy Rocini. “This was the 7th time in the last 8 years that we were able to set a new record for fundraising and the 11th time in the last 14 years.” said Dan DelBianco, Executive Director of the PVGP “we are proud of our growing success and we are so appreciative that the GPADA’s Foundation holds this event and donates the proceeds to our charity partners. John Putzier, CEO of the GPADA said “our partnership with the PVGP has turned out to be a win-win-win for the GPADA’s Foundation, the PVGP and for the charities. Together we can do so much good by combining the two biggest automotive events in Western PA to generate funds for autism and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” According to Bernie. "I was invited up on stage to present #PVGP check to the charity ambassadors. I’m was quite honored to there, to be associated with so many fine people and humbled to be on the stage for such a great event" while attending the 2019 Dancing with the Cars Charity Preview at David L. Lawrence Convention Center. |
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