The Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week event returns for its 7th year, having debuted in 2019, celebrating Newport’s historical role in American motorsport and luxury.
This grand event showcases motorcars from around the world, allowing them to be viewed up close and personally. The schedule of events begins on Tuesday of this week and ramps up into high gear on Friday with a full day of events, including one at Rough Point called “The Gathering.” It’s an opportunity for vehicles to be shown, but not judged. There were seminars throughout the day and an auction later in the day at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Jay Leno was a featured guest and was put to the test, beginning with Spike’s Car Radio live show, where he responded to the interviewer’s questions for an hour and was also available to answer audience questions. Leno referred to “the story” of the automobile and its owners’ attachment many times. The essence of the connection between the individual and the vehicle extended far beyond the particular vehicle itself. Leno reflected on his own story of his 1961 Buick Roadmaster, which evokes so many personal memories for him and his wife. Leno could not have been more gracious with his time and requests for photographs and autographs. Leno indicated that Newport was the ideal location for an event of this type, given that the first motor road race in America occurred in 1900 on Bellevue Avenue.
Leno was then shuttled to another location across the vast surroundings of Rough Point to learn about the new Corvette ZR1X, an electric vehicle that is incredibly fast, achieving 233 MPH and 0-60 in just 2 seconds. Leno heralded American ingenuity and the unions that built this remarkable car at a comparatively affordable price.
Following this event was the unveiling of the Aston Martin Valhalla, which Leno sat in and conducted his exchange with the representative from the driver’s seat, noting that it was very comfortable. There were other unveilings which followed, and the crowd, representing many women, listened attentively. The DiMuccios from Seekonk arrived in their Ferrari 488 and thoroughly enjoyed the event, hoping to enter again next year.
The events continue through the weekend with a full display of vehicles on Bellevue Avenue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the closing event on Sunday at The Breakers with The Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance.
For more information on the Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week, visit https://www.audrainconcours.com/.
Photo gallery by Jack Casey/What’sUpNewp
