AMELIA ISLAND, FL, Jan. 21, 1998 --- H. Hurley Haywood, the only repeat winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of LeMans in the same year, has accepted the honorary co-chairmanship of The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Presented by Mercedes-Benz, chairman Bill Warner announced. The Concours, a display of some 170 rare, exotic and specialty vehicles, is scheduled for April 17-18. Proceeds from the fun-filled weekend event will support the needs of terminally ill children and adults served by Hospice Northeast.

"As the oldest car manufacturer in the world, Mercedes-Benz places a high regard on our automotive heritage, and we are honored to associate our marque as the presenting sponsor of this first-class event," said Bob Crolic, vice president of Mercedes-Benz. "When a car manufacturer celebrates fifty years of business, it is truly a milestone anniversary. After more than 110 years of manufacturing automobiles, it's only befitting that Mercedes-Benz honor our cross-town neighbor, Porsche, on their Golden Anniversary," Crolic added. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are both based in Stuttgart, Germany.

Haywood, executive vice-president of Brumos Motor Cars, Inc., a Jacksonville, FL, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz dealership, is a connoisseur of classic and exotic sports and racing automobiles and has been on the executive board of the Concours since its inception. He has complied an unmatched record in endurance racing, winning Daytona five times, LeMans twice and the 12 Hours of Sebring twice.

Additionally he has won the International Motor Sports Association Grand Touring Championship twice as well as the IMSA Supercar title, an SCCA TransAm crown and four Norelco Cups. He is a member of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

"We felt it especially fitting to invite Hurley this year because our honored marque is Porsche in which he amassed most of his most notable victories," Warner declared. "In a career spanning more than 25 years, he has proved his dedication and competition prowess. He also is chief instructor of the Brumos Drive Familiarization Program."

The first active professional driver to be co-chairman, Haywood also has 18 Indy Car starts in his resume as well as four International Race of Champions efforts against America's best stock car, single seater and road race champions. He was fastest Indy rookie back in 1981. Additionally, he is a contributing journalist for Automobile Magazine.

The Concours again will be presented at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. In addition to Mercedes-Benz of North America, the presenting sponsor since the event's inception, other national corporate sponsors now include, Ford Motor Company, NationsBank, Meguiar's Inc. and duPont Registry. Concours venues include a golf tournament, vintage automobile tour and a gala dinner at which Haywood will serve as honorary guest speaker on April 17th and a post-show dinner following the Concours.

A Concours d'Elegance (parade of Elegance), is a contest for automobiles based upon their authenticity, notoriety and appearance. The first such event was held in France in the 1800s. Today these events are held around the world in places such as the Bagatelle of Paris; London; Pebble Beach, California; and Meadow Brook, Michigan.

For more information about the Concours d'Elegance please call 1-800-811-8448. Reservations for the host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island can be made by calling 1-800-241-3333. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call Hospice Northeast at 904-596-6216 for details.

Special thanks to Event Media Sponsors: WTLV TV12 and COOL-FM 96.9 WKQL.

For additional media information, please contact:

Bill Ussery
Mercedes-Benz of North America
phone: (904) 443-2135
email: ussery@usa.mercedes-benz.com

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