Famous GT40 drivers to speak at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Enthusiasts who head to this year’s Pebble Beach Automotive Week will have the opportunity to see and hear from the drivers who piloted the Ford GT40s to multiple victories in the 1960s. Jay Leno, Wayne Carini, Spike Feresten and Alain de Cadenet will also be hosting sessions, and topics will range from “The Evolution of Racing at Indy” to “Life in the Pits” and advice for first-time car buyers and collectors. All of the panels and interviews are limited to 200 participants.
Forum sessions will be open to the public without fee, but reservations are required. Visit visit www.pbclassiccarforum.com to reserve seats.
The Aug. 18 3 p.m. session will include the drivers who piloted GT40s to victory:
— Chris Amon, who won eight Grand Prix and led GT40s across the finish line in their famous 1-2-3 win at Le Mans in 1966.
— Dan Gurney, the first driver to win in all four major motorsport categories.
— David Hobbs, who claimed 22 victories in Formula 5000, earned 11 wins in IMSA and won the 1983 SCCA Trans-Am Championship.
— Jacky Ickx, a driver with 25 podium finishes in Formula 1, numerous sports car wins and multiple World Endurance Championships.
— Brian Redman, who participated in 15 World Championship Grand Prix, including his most successful season driving for McLaren in 1972.

Below is the full schedule for the Forum, as well as the key speakers.

Thursday, Aug. 18

3 p.m. – The Racing Legacy of the Ford GT40, with the drivers who piloted these cars to victory

Chris Amon, who won eight Grand Prix and led GT40s across the finish line in their famous 1-2-3 win at Le Mans in 1966.
Dan Gurney, the first driver to win in all four major motorsport categories: Grand Prix, IndyCar, NASCAR and Sports Cars.
David Hobbs, who claimed 22 victories in Formula 5000, earned 11 wins in IMSA and won the1983 SCCA Trans-Am Championship.
Jacky Ickx, a driver with 25 podium finishes in Formula 1, numerous sports car wins and multiple World Endurance Championships.
Brian Redman, who participated in 15 World Championship Grand Prix, including his most successful season driving for McLaren in 1972.

Moderator: Ken Gross, an automotive writer for 43 years, has received the Washington Auto Press Golden Quill Award, the Society of Automotive Historians’ Cugnot Award and the James Valentine Memorial Award for excellence in automotive historical research.

Additional Special Guests

Friday, Aug. 19

10:30 a.m. – “Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC Prime: Assess & Caress

Jay Leno, former late-night TV show host and acclaimed stand-up comedian, and enthusiastic car guy.
Donald Osborne, featured on the Assess & Caress segment of the CNBC Prime show, “Jay Leno’s Garage.”

12:30 p.m. – Estate Planner’s Perspective: Top Mistakes with High-End Collections

Moderator: Christopher E. Erblich, who practices sophisticated estate planning, business succession planning and tax planning for high net worth clients and business owners.

2:00 p.m. – The Evolution of Racing at Indy

Bobby Rahal, a driver who won 24 races and 3 championships in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500.
Danny Sullivan, who earned 17 wins in the CART IndyCar World Series, including the 1985 Indianapolis 500.

Moderator: Ed Justice has been the President and CEO of Justice Brothers, Inc

Saturday, August 20

11 a.m. – Life in the Pits

Nick Mason, a founding member of the rock band Pink Floyd and racer at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jochen Mass, a racing great with numerous wins in sports cars and in Formula 1, driving for Surtees, McLaren, ATS and Arrows.
Sir Stirling Moss, who was British Champion for 10 years and still holds the 1,500-cc record at over 240 mph.

Moderator: Alain de Cadenet has hosted numerous television shows on the Speed Channel.

12:15 p.m. – “A Moment in Time” Preview

A brief showing of the film “A Moment in Time” on Norman Dewis by KUSANA.

1 p.m. – Classic Car Matchmaking 101: Advice for First-Time Vintage Car Buyers and Collectors

Alex Finigan, who has been with Paul Russell & Co., the world-renowned restoration company, since its opening in the late 1970s.
Steve Serio, president and general manager of Lotus Motorsports/Aston Martin.
Travis Okulski, site director for Road & Track digital

Moderator: Spike Feresten, host of Esquire Network’s “Car Matchmaker,” is best known as a writer for television programs such as “Seinfeld,” “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Saturday Night Live.”

3 p.m. – Know When to Hold ’Em

McKeel Hagerty, president and CEO of Hagerty Insurance.
Dave Kinney, a renowned market expert who writes regular columns for Automobile, AutoWeek, Hagerty, and Octane magazines, and contributes to The New York Times.
Ralph Marano, one of the premier Packard collectors in the world.
Matt Stone, a freelance journalist, author, broadcaster and former editor at Motor Trend Classic magazine.
Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, chairman of the Amelia Foundation, president of H.C. Warner, Inc., and owner of Bill Warner Racing.

Moderator: Wayne Carini, the host of “Chasing Classic Cars” on the Velocity

For information visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net