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Charity car show draws racing legends this Saturday

When Peter Volny created Concours in the Hills three years ago, his intent was to boost the town’s profile and attract more people and businesses to Fountain Hills.

This year’s Concours is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Fountain Park. A rain date is set for Feb. 18.

Volny said he has surprised himself on how rapidly the event has attracted a diverse range of million dollar 200-MPH-plus cars, muscle cars, sports cars, hot rods, exotics, classics, race cars and pre-war classics.

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Charity car show draws racing legends this Saturday

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When Peter Volny created Concours in the Hills three years ago, his intent was to boost the town’s profile and attract more people and businesses to Fountain Hills.

This year’s Concours is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Fountain Park. A rain date is set for Feb. 18.

Volny said he has surprised himself on how rapidly the event has attracted a diverse range of million dollar 200-MPH-plus cars, muscle cars, sports cars, hot rods, exotics, classics, race cars and pre-war classics.

“I certainly never anticipated it growing so large or so fast. I believe that this is by far the largest car show on grass in the state and one of the largest overall,” said Volny.

Spectator admission is free. All proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, which includes the local McKee Branch. Vehicle entries are a minimum $50 donation.

Four racing legends – Arie Luyendyk, Bob Bondurant, Lyn St. James and Harley Cluxton III – will be on hand for the opening ceremonies.

Luyendyk, a town resident, is a two-time Indy 500 winner and lap record holder at 237 mph. Bob Bondurant is the only American to win the International Manufacturers Championship in an American car, a Cobra Daytona coupe.

St. James is one of only a few women who have raced in the Indy 500 and the first woman to win in 1992.

Cluxton III is an ex-Ferrari team driver and owner of Mirage Racing Team.

Also participating will be Mayor Linda Kavanagh, Ms. Arizona Christina Wagner and Mrs. Arizona Andrea Brower.

At 10 a.m., they will make the traditional announcement of “gentlemen and ladies, start your engines,” and more than 500 cars will fire up and rev their engines.

Awards will be presented for Best Imported Vehicle, Best Domestic Vehicle and Best of Show.

The exhibitors will be the judges.

One area will be reserved for racing cars, including a Mirage Ford, Mirage Cosworth, Porsche 917, Watson Offy Indycar and March Cosworth F2.

A special attraction will be 20 cars from the Cobra Car Club circling a Vietnam era AH-1F Cobra Gunship helicopter. Volny had to secure a multi-dollar liability insurance policy for the copter to fly into the park.

A DJ will play music from the showmobile donated by Phyliss Kern of Kern Entertainment. Food trucks will provide refreshments.

A silent auction will consist of signed photographs to a vacation villa in Tuscany.

“This is not a formal ‘white gloves’ Concours but rather a fun gathering of enthusiasts who are proud of their vehicles. All vehicles are welcome.”

In its first year, the Concours featured 220 cars and attracted four sponsors and between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators. The event raised $25,000 for the Boys & Girls Club.

In 2015, 444 cars were entered; sponsors increased to 36, raising $62,000. An estimated 10,000 attended.

Last year, 513 were displayed, 67 sponsors participated and $90,000 was raised. Spectators also grew to 15,000.

Earlier this year, Volny said Scuderia Southwest, one of Arizona’s largest car clubs, acquired the show.

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