by Robert and Lisa Watt

The Santa Barbara Region 44th Concours d'Elegance Story by Robert and Lisa Watt Photos by Gary Krueger

After three years of waiting, the Santa Barbara Region of the Porsche Club of America’s 44th Concours d’Elegance was held on Sunday, October 9.

The setting overlooked the Pacific Ocean on the beautiful West Lawn of Santa Barbara City College. Participants and spectators viewed more than 50 cars in pristine condition competing in the event or simply on display. After starting the morning with cool, overcast conditions, in the afternoon the sun finally came out to stay.

Emcee Extraordinaire Jim Brown was master of ceremonies for the day, entertaining and keeping attendees updated on the schedule and thanking our sponsor, vendors, volunteers, and supporters, without whom we would not be able to put on the concours.

Our event sponsor, Porsche Santa Barbara, brought out an eye-catching 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Coupe and a like-new 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sedan for us all to admire. It was great to have Rene and Nicole Verbrugge and the crew from the dealership at the show.

We also had youth judging with PCA Juniors! Five young adults participated in judging three selected cars: a 1956 Porsche Speedster, a 1987 Porsche 928 S4, and a 2016 Porsche 911 GTS. PCA generously donated hats, T-shirts, lanyards, and awards for PCA Junior judging. The youths enjoyed learning more about concours judging and even presented first, second, and third place ribbons to the cars they helped evaluate. Tara Konrath’s 928 was the winner!

This year, we had a number of vendors participating, including The Community Hot Rod Project, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Wheel Concepts, Robert Watt–Village Properties, and Robert Watt Photography. Desmond Warren of DSR Audio graciously provided the sound system and music, and thanks go to John and Virginia Barrison for bringing out logo wear from the Goodie Store.

In addition to browsing vendor displays, attendees had time to bid on items in a silent auction to raise money for local charities. Special thanks go to Porsche of Santa Barbara, Griot’s Garage, Lafond Winery, Santa Barbara Winery, Whole Foods, and Robert Watt Photography for their generous donations to the auction. Lighthouse Coffee contributed the morning java. We raised $770 for local charities. Thanks are due to all those who bid on items and made the silent auction fun and competitive. And, owing to our region’s ongoing fundraising efforts, we were able to present a check that day to The Unity Shoppe of Santa Barbara in the amount of $2,500.

It was an outstanding day of competition and camaraderie. We heard from many that it was so great to see each other again in the company of such fine looking cars. We’ll see you next year for the 45th Concours d’Elegance!

Robert Watt has been a member of PCA since 2009. He drives an award-winning, 2008 Cayman in Speed Yellow.

Top left: CEO of Unity Shoppe Angela Miller Bevan and SBR President Rod Hersberger at the check presentation. Top right: Concours Chair Robert Watt with Concours Cochair Tara Konrath and Patrick Konrath. Left: Our Junior Judges.

Photos this page by Dennis Power.

Concours Cochair Tara Konrath and SBR President Rod Hersberger award division winner trophies, (top to bottom, left to right): CV1, Michael Benson, 1965 356 C Cabriolet. DS4, Sal Reyes, 2018 911.2 Carrera. SV2, Chuck Bartron, 1984 930. UV2, Bob Young,1965 911 Coupe. Not pictured is the winner of SM1, Yao-Chien Lee, 2006 Cayman S.