TRAVERSE
CITY, Mich., Nov. 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amelia, a leading global
concours weekend known for its racing roots and luxurious setting
at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Amelia
Island, today announced Hélio Castroneves as honoree
for 2025, continuing the event's longstanding tradition as "the
racer's concours." Castroneves' wide-ranging racing and competition
experience includes:
- 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021 Indianapolis 500 wins
- 2020 IMSA championship with 4 victories and 4 pole
positions with Acura Team Penske
- Minority partner and co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing
- Season 5 winner of ABC television series Dancing with the
Stars in 2007
He was chosen as honoree for The Amelia in 2025 based on his
dedication to excellence in racing as well as his unwavering
competitive spirit that has made him one of the most successful
drivers in IndyCar history.
"Hélio Castroneves changed the history of IndyCar and represents
everything that automotive racing should be
about," said Hagerty Vice Chairman, Concours Group,
Matt Orendac. "No one is more
passionate about racing than Hélio Castroneves, and he's sure to
bring that enthusiasm from the track to the showfield. The Amelia
celebrates its 30th year in 2025 and is growing into a new era,
while still retaining its roots as the racer's concours. It's in
that spirit of youth-meeting-heritage that we announce Mr.
Castroneves as our next honoree for 2025."
Castroneves is originally from São Paolo, Brazil, and currently resides in Florida, making Amelia
Island a frequent local destination for him. He began racing
when he was only 12 years old and has since then become a true
legend in the world of motorsport. He competed in his first
Indianapolis 500 in 2001 with Team
Penske, etching his name on the Borg-Warner trophy as he picked up
his first Indianapolis 500 win
that same year. With four decades of racing under his belt, he most
recently won the Indy 500 in 2021 with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR),
making him only the fourth person ever to win the race four
times.
In addition to IndyCar, Castroneves has also seen great success
in sports car racing, with Hélio and teammate Ricky Taylor winning the IMSA championship in
2020 with 4 victories and 4 pole positions for Acura Team Penske.
In August 2023, he shifted gears into
ownership as minority partner and co-owner of MSR, lending his
decades of expertise to the team.
Reflecting his appetite for competition in all aspects of
life, Castroneves was named champion on the dance floor as the
season five winner of the popular ABC television series Dancing
with the Stars in 2007.
"There's clearly a synergy between people who love racing and
those who love concours, and The Amelia is the intersection of both
those passions, each of which I hold dearly," said Castroneves. "To
be honoree of the event during its 30th year is also an honor and
so special, and I look forward to celebrating with The Amelia
community."
The Amelia will celebrate its 30th year in 2025. Built on a
historic legacy of excellence, The Amelia 2025 weekend will feature
seminars, films, celebrations, auctions, driving experiences and,
of course, the renowned Concours d'Elegance, where guests will
enjoy hundreds of vehicles ranging from 1930s Alfa Romeos to the
most advanced F1 race cars.
The Concours d'Elegance will feature nearly 300 cars in 30
classes. Featured classes include:
- Corvette at Sebring. The Corvette became a serious
sports car in 1956, debuting at Sebring and winning both the SCCA and Cal Club
championships that year. Nearly 70 years later, hundreds of
Corvettes have raced and scored victories at Sebring, which plays host to the biggest names
in racing and is part of the Triple Crown of endurance racing
alongside the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of LeMans.
- Alfa Romeos of the 1930s. Alfa Romeo began the
1930s as it ended the 1920s, dominating Italy's sports car and competition scene. In
all, from 1894 to 1949, Alfa won more international races than any
other marque, Bugatti, and Mercedes-Benz included.
- Formula 1 Cars 1950-Present. The FIA Formula One
World Championship has been one of the world's premier forms of
racing since its inaugural running in 1950. F1 continues to attract
the world's best drivers and builders who create cars that push the
technological envelope.
The Amelia takes place at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island from March
6-9, 2025. Additional event and ticket information is
available by visiting AmeliaConcours.com.
About The Amelia
The Amelia is a multiple award-winning motoring event held
March 6-9, 2025 at The Golf Club of
Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton,
Amelia Island. A Broad Arrow
Auction, luxury shopping, new vehicle reveals & experiential
drives, exclusive gatherings and entertaining seminars surround
Saturday's Cars & Community and Sunday's Concours d'Elegance.
Each year The Amelia honors a racing legend and attracts
celebrities from across the automotive landscape. Since its
inception in 1996, the Amelia has donated over $4 million to deserving non-profit and charitable
organizations.
About Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY)
Hagerty is an automotive lifestyle brand committed to saving
driving and to fueling car culture for future generations. The
company is a leading provider of specialty vehicle insurance,
expert car valuation data and insights, live and digital car
auction services, immersive events and automotive entertainment
custom made for the 67 million Americans who self-describe as car
enthusiasts. Hagerty also operates in Canada and the UK and is home to
Hagerty Drivers Club, a community of more than 850,000 who
can't get enough of cars. For more information, please visit
www.hagerty.com or connect with us on
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Hagerty