Bob Bondurant Named Grand Marshall of 2009 Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, May 18, 2009 -- Bob Bondurant, former Formula One and sports car driver and the worlds leading authority on advanced driver training, has been named Grand Marshall of the 17th annual Palos Verdes Concours dElegance, to be held at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on Sunday, September 13.

A new feature of this years Concours will be "Restoration Alley," where skilled craftsmen will demonstrate how classic, vintage and other special interest cars are painstakingly repaired and reconstructed. Noted restorer Steve Tillacks Fast Cars Garage of Redondo Beach, will anchor Restoration Alley, said Concours chairman Peter Kunoth.

Bondurant will participate in all three Concours events - a Gala Charity Dinner at Trump International on Friday, Sept. 11, a Round-the-Peninsula Road Rallye on Saturday, Sept. 12 and as an honorary judge at the Concours d Elegance on Sunday, September 13.

Former Grand Marshalls include Dave Kunz, Carroll Shelby, Bill Krause, Jack and Helen Nethercutt, Paul Moyer, Bobbiedine Rodda, Leon Kaplan, Parnelli Jones, Barry Meguiar, Otis Chandler, Gen. William Lyon, Vic Edelbrock, Bob Estes and Peyton Kramer.

"Bob represents the finest traditions of automobile competition," according to Kunoth. "He started out racing motorcycles on dirt ovals in the 50s, then went on to become one of a select few Americans to succeed in European Grand Prix and Formula One racing.

"As a member of Carroll Shelbys Ford Cobra team he took the GT class victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1964 and in 1965 was part of the team that won the Manufacturers World Championship, winning seven out of 10 races. In the same year he drove a works Ferrari in the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen and a Lotus 33 for Reg Parnell at the Mexican Grand Prix." Bondurant switched to the CanAm series in 1967, only to be seriously injured in an accident which ended his racing career. Undeterred, he went on to act as a technical consultant for several racing movies, including John Frankenheimers Grand Prix.

"Perhaps his greatest contribution to the automotive world is his development of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix, Arizona, which teaches thrill seekers and current or aspiring racers how to drive like pros," said Kunoth. "His school features a 60 acre purpose-built racing facility and its driving courses range from four hours to four days.

Considered one of Americas best classic car exhibitions, the 2009 Palos Verdes Concours dElegances overall theme will be Italian automobiles, with Maserati as the Featured Marque. Among the cars on display will be Nick Colonnas 1957 Maserati 200Si, originally sold to John Kimberly, founder and chairman of Kimberly Clark.