Atkinson, Kelly and Woodard Join Panel Discussion to Celebrate the Iconic Marque’s 75th Anniversary at “Porsche-delphia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Judy Stropus: 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jvstropus@gmail.com
John F. Xuereb: 610-520-6140 x202; cell 610-470-8066; jxuereb@alvare.com
PHILADELPHIA (May 17, 2023) – The Sixth Annual Philadelphia Concours D’Elegance on June 23-24 will celebrate the Porsche marque’s 75th anniversary this year with a special panel discussion during the Concours on Saturday, June 24, at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.
Dubbed “Porsche-delphia,” the Concours will honor Porsche’s Diamond Jubilee with an array of significant newer and collector cars, including historic and vintage Porsches in the Concours, on the pre-event rally and in the Car Club gatherings. Iconic racing and “corporate” personalities from Porsche’s dynamic past will speak during the panel discussion at 1 p.m., inside the Museum.
Cool Car for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, will benefit from the event’s proceeds in order to deliver care and support to children and families who struggle with the medical complexities associated with rare diagnoses. CCfK supports local and national charities, including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Concours tickets may be purchased at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/2023-philadelphia-concours.
A preview gala at the Museum will be held on Friday, June 23, from 6-10 p.m., featuring silent and live auctions and interviews with guests speaking on the subject of rare diagnoses. Tickets to the gala may be purchased at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/preview-gala-dinner.
The Porsche Club of America–Riesentöter Region’s Gimmick Rally on Saturday, June 24, is open to all cars. It begins at Penn State Malvern at 9 a.m. and ends at noon at the Philadelphia Concours. Applications to enter are available at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/rally-to-sixth-annual-philadelphia-concours-delegance.
Three individuals whose careers were instrumental in Porsche’s successes on the race track, in the collector-car and corporate worlds and in the media will take part in the panel discussion, while video interviews of three others – race-car drivers David Donohue and Hurley Haywood, and renowned Porsche consultant Alwin Springer – will be shown on the big screen.
The panel discussion will be moderated by historian/photographer Harry Hurst, who is also the Director of Programs at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.
JACK ATKINSON
Atkinson was with Brumos Porsche Car Corp. and Brumos Racing for 24 years, starting as a service manager for Brundage Motors Atlanta in 1955. As a crew chief, he guided Brumos to seven IMSA GT titles and four Trans-Am titles in the 1970s, with legendary wins at Daytona and Sebring, primarily in Porsches. He’s worked on just about every Porsche model, from the 356 to the 935, and for such legendary drivers as Bob Holbert, Roger Penske, Hurley Haywood and others.
PRESCOTT KELLY
Kelly is a past National President of the Porsche Club of America and is the only person to earn lifetime achievement awards in both PCA and the 356 Registry. He’s a Contributing Editor for Sports Car Market, Porsche Panorama, and the 356 Registry Magazine. He’s raced for 35 years, in a Porsche 911R, a Trans-Am 911, an ST and 550 prototypes. As a collector of Porsches, he seeks out special performance Porsches that were never imported into North America when new.
JOHN “WOODY” WOODARD
Woodard began his career with Penske Racing in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, in 1969, spending his first nine seasons as a mechanic/chief mechanic/crew chief. He was chief mechanic on three different National Championship winners: Chevy Camaro in 1969 Trans-Am; 1972 Can-Am in a Porsche 917/10; and 1973 Can-Am in a Porsche 917/30. He’s also been on Penske winning teams in CART, IndyCar and NASCAR.
DAVID DONOHUE
David Donohue has competed and won in Touring Cars, Prototypes, NASCAR, Craftsman Truck and IMSA, winning the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona. He’s been an integral part of the Brumos Racing family and is the son of the late legendary driver Mark Donohue.
HURLEY HAYWOOD
Hurley Haywood has claimed five overall victories at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring. He’s claimed five racing championships, mostly in Porsches.
ALWIN SPRINGER
Alwin Springer is currently a consultant on the Porsche Penske GTP team in the IMSA series. He founded ANDIAL Road & Racing in 1975, was President of Porsche Motorsport North America from 1997-2004. He continued as a consultant to PMNA until 2022.
Featured at the Concours will be the 1970 Porsche 917 that is on display at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. The “Hippie” Porsche is, arguably, the most well known of all of the 917s built. It’s not remembered for its racing record – it never won a race. It is remembered for its distinctive “psychedelic” green, blue and white paint scheme, one of the very first racing sports cars to have more than a single color. Nicknamed the “Hippie” 917, it competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1970 where it set the lap record and came in second. The next year, repainted in the Gulf team blue and orange, it sat on the pole before retiring after 12 hours. It still holds the quickest lap time for the original Le Mans course, a record that will never be broken since the circuit was changed the next year.
For more information, visit www.philadelphiaconcours.com, or call 267-982-CCfK (2235)
AT A GLANCE:
WHAT:
Sixth Annual Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance
WHEN:
“Porsche-delphia” Preview Gala: Friday, June 23 – 6-10 p.m.
Concours: Saturday, June 24 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Porsche Panel Discussion: Saturday, June 24 – 1-2:30 p.m.
WHO:
Families, classic car enthusiasts, collectors, racers, one and all
WHERE:
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825 Norwitch Dr.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
MORE:
Concours tickets may be purchased at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/2023-philadelphia-concours.
Applications for media credentials may be found at: https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/media-credentials-form.
Sponsorship forms are available at: https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/sponsor-forms.
Applications to enter Saturday’s rally may be found at: https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/rally-to-sixth-annual-philadelphia-concours-delegance
About Cool Cars for Kids:
Cool Cars for Kids, Inc., is a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, Pa., that brings together families of children with genetic conditions and classic car enthusiasts who share a common passion and appreciation for the one-of-a-kind. Funds raised from this unique partnership will directly forward its mission by supporting local and national charities – including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – to deliver care and support to children and families who struggle with the medical complexities associated with rare diagnoses. www.coolcarsforkids.org
