What was your first? Everyone remembers his or her first. Maybe not all the details, but hopefully at least a name and a color, maybe the general make and model. For Danville-born Tom Jones, it was a gorgeous TR250, though he admits he's also fallen for others over the years: muscle cars, classic cars, roadsters, race cars-even motorcycles and late-model imports with aftermarket bells and whistles.
"A motorhead is a motorhead is a motorhead," Tom said. "Everyone has a car story. Their own story of a car, or of a crazy grandpa or uncle."
"Cars," according to Tom, "are the great equalizer. Everyone has one, everyone drives-it's something we all have in common. You just find as you talk to other people that we're more the same than different."
It was that sentiment that inspired Tom and wife, and fellow car fanatic, Connie, to organize the Keeneland Concours d'Elegance five years ago.
The first year, says Connie, seemed like "just a car show." But, in only a few years, she said, "The event has grown to include a lot of women and families. The kids really get into it."
It would be easy to think the Concours is serious, straight-laced and exclusive; and there are elements of the elegant. The location at Keenland lends a certain air of sophistication, especially with 100 vehicles in pristinely preserved or restored condition awaiting adjudication for the top prize, which, if awarded, can increase the car's value significantly. There is also a gala fund-raising event.
But for every portion of the day long event that is sleek and sophisticated, there is an element that is laid back and fun, says Tom. "The gala is the kind of event where we want folks dancing on the tables," and, he continued, "Our Concours is the only one where people who have cool cars but are only slightly crazy can bring them and park them on display around the cars that are in their same group."
Just a few of the groups that have regular spots are Corvettes, Mustangs, BMWs, Porsches, British and Italian. To bring a car into the "Paddocks," there is no registration necessary.
"We just love cars," Connie said. "It's a good venue to bring people together." And it's for a good cause. About 78 percent of every dollar taken in by the event is passed to the Kentucky Children's Hospital, where the patients inspired a very special award at the Concours: "Kid's Choice." Don't miss the winner of this prestigious honor. Chosen by a select group of kids whose only criterion is cool, there's always some unique feature. Plus, the prize is a one-of-a-kind bronze donated by local artist Seth Tuska.
If you want to go. The event is July 17-20 at Keeneland. Visit www.keenelandconcours.com for more information.