Published on 08/10/2008

It’s often just called Monterey Auto Week. No one organization oversees all of the activities. But Douglas Friedman of the Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours On The Avenue has compiled a good timeline for the 2008 festival in Carmel, Monterey and Pacific Grove and a the laundry list of events that comprise the pending automotive sensory overload.

It’s often simply called Monterey Auto Week.

No one organization oversees all of the activities, and it's possible to attend perhaps only half of the events. The Concours d'Elegance, the grandfather of celebration, has been around for more than 50 years. And it's still the grand finale to the festivities on Sunday, Aug. 17.

But there's plenty else to do, parties to rallys, auctions to the many other concours events that have begun to flourish in recent years. Add it all up, and it's automotive sensory overload.

Last year, I attended The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, at Quail Lodge for the first time. I also spent three three days at the historic races at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey.

In addition to meeting car owners and celebrities (including Jay Leno) at The Quail, I reintroduced myself to Bobby Rahal after the Legends of Indy event at Laguna Seca.

Years ago, Rahal, the three-time Indy 500 winner, invited me into his motorhome on the infield of Laguna Seca. We talked about golf for an assignment I had for the now-defunct magazine, Golf Illustrated.

Rahal didn't remember me. Of course, I remembered him and told him upon our second meeting how I remembered how nice he was to a young reporter — more than 25 years ago.

Monterey Auto Week is all about meeting people, talking to car enthusiasts, driving fine automobiles, and for some people, buying cars. I've included few images from the 2007 event. They're a good representation of some of the great vehicles on the Monterey Peninsula during mid-August. But there's still a problem: How does one pick what events to attend?

Douglas Friedman of the Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours On The Avenue has compiled a good timeline for this year’s automotive festival and its sensory overload.

I've listed the calendar on the next two pages with links to some of the individual event organizers.

The 2008 Monterey Auto Week begins with the fascinating old-timers at Laguna Seca on Saturday, Aug. 9. But for the weeklong smorgasbord of activities begins in earnest Monday with the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours On The Avenue.

For more information on the free Carmel event, visit the really cool web site: www.motorclubevents.com

Friday, August 8 . . .
Check-in for pre-historic races at Laguna Seca Raceway.

Saturday, August 9 . . .
Pre-historic races, Laguna Seca Raceway.

Sunday, August 10 . . .
Pre-historic races, Laguna Seca Raceway.

Monday, August 11 . . .
Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours On The Avenue (Porsche and Ferrari, 1947-1973).

Tuesday, August 12 . . .
Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours On The Avenue (Multi-Marques, 1946-1971);
Quail rally, estimated 35 cars;
Automobilia Monterey, Embassy Suites.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Wednesday, August 13 . . .
Quail rally continues;
Blackhawk display silent sale, Pebble Beach;
Auction previews, Gordon McCalls, Monterey Executive Jet Center;
Automobilia Monterey, Embassy Suites.

Thursday, August 14 . . .
Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance;
Carmel-By-The-Sea Ocean Avenue Motor Club (Interactive event);
Blackhawk display, Pebble Beach;
Bonham’s auction preview, Reception
RM auction preview;
Russo & Street auction preview;
Kruse auction preview;
Gooding auction preview;
Private auto company testing;
Monterey Historic Races, Laguna Seca Raceway.

The finally three of Monterey Auto Week are jam-packed with events, including my favorite event, The Quail. It's only 3,000 people, about 100 cars, great food and drink and six hours of all everything to do with vintage automobiles.

Friday, August 15 . . .
Blackhawk display continues;
Bonhams preview continues;
RM auction;
Russo and steele preview continues;
Kruse auction;
Retroauto;
Gooding preview, private reception;
Concorso Italiano, Blackhawk;
The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, Quail Lodge;
Monterey Historic Races, Laguna Seca Raceway;
Pacific Grove Rally;
Lexus style fashion show;

Saturday, Aug. 16 . . .
Blackhawk display continues;
Bonham’s auction continues;
RM auction continues;
Russo & Steele auction;
Gooding auction preview continues;
Retroauto;
Monterey Historic Races, Laguna Seca Raceway;
Ferraris at the Barnyard, Carmel Valley;
Private auto test drives;
Gooding auction

Sunday, Aug. 17 . . .
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance;
Blackhawk display continues;
Monterey Historic Races, Laguna Seca Raceway;
Retroauto;
Gooding auction.

To read more about the Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours, visit: www.motorclubevents.com.

To read more about The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, visit: www.thequail.com

To read more about the Rolex Monterey Historic Automible Races, visit, www.historicraces.com.