LE MANS-WINNING PORSCHE K3 LEADS AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS d’ELEGANCE 935 CLASS and SATURDAY SEMINAR |
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Jacksonville, FL – A fleet of a dozen of Porsche’s legendary 935 racers will join the 2021 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance on Sunday May 23rd. The 935 enjoyed a long reign from 1976 through their final victory in a bleu riband enduro, an upset win in the 1984 12 Hours of Sebring.
The 935’s deep inventory of race victories include 12 victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 1979 the 935 entered the ranks of the immortals winning the most important endurance race of all, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That car, the Whittington/Ludwig LeMans-winning #41, will be the historical centerpiece of the Amelia’s 935 class on Sunday May 23rd.
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Photo: 1979 Porsche 935 K3 courtesy of Canepa Motorsports.
The 1970s started with Porsche’s first overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a feature film about the 24 Hours entitled, simply, LE MANS.
The movie was ramrodded by Steve McQueen who had been seduced by endurance racing and even finished second -- first in class – in the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring in his own Porsche 908!
The Seventies ended as they began with another Le Mans victory for Porsche – their fifth -- and another blood link between Stuttgart and Hollywood.
This time it was Paul Newman and he was playing himself. Newman became just as besotted with motorsport as McQueen while making Winning a year earlier. Newman even managed to win the SCCA’s 1976 D Production national championship in his Group 44 TR6 and followed up with the national C Production title in a Datsun 280ZX.
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Photo: 1979 Porsche 935 K3 courtesy of Canepa Motorsports.
He made his Le Mans debut in 1979 in a much more powerful IMSA-spec Porsche 935. It went well. He came close, earning an excellent second place overall and a class victory in the IMSA category, albeit seven laps --nearly 60 miles – behind the winning #41 Kremer Porsche K3 935 of Klaus Ludwig and the monied Florida-based Whittington brothers.
One chronicler of the 24 Hours of Le Mans called the 800-horsepower 1979 winner “the last production-based Le Mans winner.”
The 1979 Le Mans-winning Kremer K3 Porsche will make its first trip to The Amelia on May 23, 2021 as the reigning star of a fleet of successful, significant and accomplished Porsche 935s assembled to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the turbocharged breed.
Descended from the Porsche Turbo Carrera, the 935 is the racing version of the 911, a sort of road racing Funny Car that over its long and productive life has driven through a catalog of rule loopholes in several different languages.
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Photo: 1979 Porsche 935 K3 courtesy of Canepa Motorsports.
“The 935 is a glorious mutant and it may well be the ultimate Porsche because it has the silhouette of a 911 and the speed of a 917,” said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
Victories came not only at Le Mans but in American’s marquee endurance races – the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring -- 12 times from 1978 through 1984.
In its freshman year the 935 took Porsche to victory in four of seven the FIA’s World Championship of Makes rounds clinching the title. It was a good year: Porsche turbo power won double world titles also taking home first place points in six of seven rounds of the World Championship for Sports Cars plus winning the European Grand Touring Championship.
It made further history as the first privately entered car to win Le Mans since the 1965 victory of the North American Racing Team’s Ferrari 275LM.
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Photo: 1979 Porsche 935 courtesy of Bill Warner.
The California-based 1979 Le Mans winner will share the Amelia’s field with other heavily credentialed Porsche 935 legends. Peter Gregg’s 1979 IMSA Winston GT-winning #59 set records winning eight straight pole positions en route to victory in eight races clinching the 1979 IMSA Winston GT title: his 6th IMSA crown. “Peter Perfect’s” ’79 champ will appear at Amelia in original unrestored condition, just as it raced in 1979 – with Gregg’s signature Black Watch tartan seat and custom machined aluminum billet shift knob -- courtesy of the Brumos Collection of Jacksonville, FL.
As Amelia’s Porsche 935 legends go, none is as complex and entertaining (and profane) as the story of the Andial 935L that won the 1983 24 Hours of Daytona in the hands of “brilliant” Bob Wollek, Preston Henn, Claude Ballot-Lena and last minute substitution AJ Foyt. “Super Tex” was added to the team midrace when his Nimrod GTP prototype retired. Car owner Henn was unenthused about racing his 935 on Daytona’s high banks in the gloom and rain. That touched off a tirade from Wollek who had worked hard to put the Swap Shop-sponsored Andial-built 935 into a solid lead. It was Foyt’s first drive in a 935 and the fast Frenchman feared the worst and said so in a burst of four-letter invective that went out live over the TBS TV network. It didn’t take long for the 1967 Le Mans, 1972 Daytona 500 and four-time Indy 500 winner to master both the 935L and the Daytona rain. The Henn Swap Shop-sponsored 935 took a six-lap victory over one of the new GTP Prototypes and the legend of the 935 took on an even greater –if somewhat profane – luster.
The K3 version was the most successful of the 935s winning Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona and the IMSA championship. Charles Nearburg’s K3/80 won at Portland and Road Atlanta winning the 1980 title for 935 ace – and 1980 Sebring winner – John Fitzpatrick.
"We want to thank long-time friend of The Amelia, Bruce Meyer of Beverly Hills, California, for sharing the 1979 Porsche 935 K3 with us," continued Warner. "Without the graciousness of our entrants, The Amelia simply wouldn't exist."
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Photo: Field/Ongais/Haywood driven 935 at Daytona courtesy of Bill Warner.
The All-Conquering 935 Seminar Presented by Grundy Insurance -- On Saturday May 21nd at 3:30 PM Grundy insurance presents The -Conquering 935 Seminar in the Ritz-Carlton‘s Talbot ballroom.
The panel features the men who made the 935 a winner and a legend; Andial’s Alwin Springer, Brumos’ Jack Atkinson, World Sports Car Champion Bob Garrettson, Mark Ruffauf, IMSA VP of Competition, Gunnar Racing’s Kevin Jeannette, double IMSA GT Champion, 5-time Daytona 24 winner and three-time Le Mans winner Hurley Haywood and three-time Daytona 24 Hour winner Brian Redman. Tickets are $40.
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“This is a chance to go inside the story of the 935,” said Warner. “Amelia’s seminars have earned a reputation as platinum-plated back stage passes and for exposing the deep inside stuff that never made print or broadcast. Secrets get told, confessions are made. It’s like being in the back room at Watkins Glen’s Seneca Lodge or in the old Buck’s Tavern at Mid-Ohio. Priceless.”
The All-Conquering 935 Seminar Presented by Grundy Insurance tickets are available only at https://www.ameliaconcours.org/shop/Tickets
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AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
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Thursday, May 20, 2021
Guardians of Porsche Wine Maker's Dinner
6:30 - 10:30 PM
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Begin your AMELIA weekend with an intimate four-course dining experience. A sommelier pairs each course with wines complementary to the menu.
Cocktail Attire
Advance Reservations, Limited Seating
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Porsche Driving Experience
7:00 am - 4:30 pm Departs from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
The Porsche Driving Experience departs from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport immediately following the 7:00 a.m. check-in and 7:30 a.m. drivers meeting with coffee and donuts. Participants will travel in their personal vehicles to a yet to be determined location where they will enjoy activities to include an autocross in one of the latest Porsches and a spirited ride with a professional driver. The tour will also make a stop at The Brumos Collection which began as an eclectic private automotive collection that was stored on-site at the Brumos car dealerships in Jacksonville, Florida. Many international and national award-winning cars, historical documents, and racing artifacts are housed in their new location. Lunch will be served.
- Limited to 125 cars
- Must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the event
- Required documents:
- Valid Drivers License
- Ownership of a Porsche is not required
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Chevy Thunder Seminar
3 pm - 4:30 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom
Host: Ray Evernham
Panelists:
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Herb Fishel
- George Follmer
- David Hobbs
- Brian Redman
- Dr. Eric Warren
A seminar hosted by NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Ray Evernham to celebrate Chevy Thunder, which was the GM Racing tag line during the ‘80’s. Panelists scheduled to appear include: Herb Fishel – Director of GM Racing for 40 years; George Follmer – UOP Shadow Racing; David Hobbs – 1972 SCCA F5000 and SCCA Tran-Am Champion and Brian Redman – 3 time SCCA F5000 Champion and IMSA GTP Champion, all in Chevy powered cars, Dr. Eric Warren – Head of GM Racing and two-time Daytona 500 winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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McLaren Dinner of Champions
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom
Celebrate two legends & thought leaders
Keynote: Miles Collier and Bill Warner
Cocktail attire
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The All-Conquering Porsche 935 Seminar
3 pm - The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom
Host: Ray Evernham
- Hurley Haywood
- Alwin Springer
- Brian Redman
- David Hobbs
- Kevin Jeannette
- Mark Raffauf
- Jack Atkinson
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Honoree Gala Dinner
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom
Honoring Lyn St. James
Black Tie Optional
2021 Honoree Lyn St. James
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The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM The Golf Club Amelia Island 10th & 18th Fairways
- General Admission Adult: $125 – Purchased April 1, - May 22, 2021
- General Admission Adult: $150 – Purchased at the Gate/Day of Event
- General Admission Early Entry Adult $185.00 - Purchased July 6- May 22, 2021 *Ltd. Qty
- General Admission Early Entry Youth $100.00 - Purchased July 6- May 22, 2021 *Ltd. Qty
- General Admission Youth 13-17 years old: $60 (12 and under free w/paying adult)
- Active Duty Military and Dependents with Active Duty ID: $60 each available on-site only
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Buy 2021 Event Tickets in Person - Ticket Sales Locations
- Claude Nolan Cadillac, 4700 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
- Jaguar Land Rover Jacksonville, 11217 Atlantic Blvd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park, 7018 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Mercedes-Benz of Jacksonville, 10231 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Lexus of Jacksonville, 10259 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Lexus of Orange Park, 7040 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Fields Cadillac Jacksonville, 7999 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Fields Cadillac St Augustine, 375 Outlet Mall Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32084
- Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd, ste. 101G, Amelia Island, FL 32034
- Amelia Island Welcome Center, 102 Center St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
- Golf Club of Amelia Island, 4700 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034
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Concours and More
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM The Golf Club of Amelia Island
- Ticket includes early entry into the show field at 8:30 AM
- A private lunch inside the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island(11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) in the Talbot Ballroom
- Event Poster (to be distributed at lunch)
- Tickets not available day of show
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Club Amelia
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Club Amelia Pavilion on the Showfield
Your Club Amelia Ticket includes:
- Early Admission onto the show field at 8:30 AM (One hour prior to gates opening to public)
- Collectible Program
- Collectible Poster
- Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Snack
- Hosted Bar
- Covered seating located in the Awards Presentation area
- Private restrooms for Club Amelia Patrons
- Parking decal provided.
It is not necessary to purchase General Admission tickets for entry onto the show field. Your Club Amelia ticket is your entry into the show field.
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All images are property of The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance / Deremer Studios unless otherwise noted.
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About The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
THE AMELIA is held May 20-23, 2021 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island. The show’s Foundation has donated over $3.75 million to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville and other local and national charities since 1996. To learn more about the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, visit www.ameliaconcours.org.
The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance| 904-636-0027 | E-mail | Website
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