Monterey Car Week 2019, how I miss you already. You may have read it here before, twice in fact, of this writer’s encounters at the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. This fact remains, though: it’s worth writing about again and again. The Quail is more than just a car show, but an experience, not unlike being invited to the Palace of Versailles, albeit with cars. For those unfamiliar, here are the key components: The Quail Lodge during Monterey Car Week, fabulous cars (of course, it’s only obligatory), amazing people (and stars) you’ll meet, Michelin Star-worthy food and drinks, and your best mates with you to experience it all together. Heroically, every ingredient comes together in the perfect cocktail (one they figuratively and literally do serve, too).
Seriously, given a choice of blowing a wad of money in Vegas or going to the Quail, the choice is easy. This is an event for everyone – even if you have no interest in cars, the food (and the shear selection of food), will keep one entertained the entire day. And my, what food. More on that later, but just try not to salivate all over your keyboard or phone.
The People
Right off the bat though, let’s address those aforementioned stars: former F1 race-winner and FIA WEC Driver’s Champion Mark Webber, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, racing legend Hurley Haywood, Indycar hero Dario Franchitti, 12 Hours of Sebring winner Marino Franchitti, Daytona 24 Hours victor Scott Pruett, racing commentator and Le Mans class-winner Justin Bell, former MLB pitcher CJ Wilson, and actor James Marsden (I did not get a chance to ask him about Westworld…). I also met Henry Catchopole of Carfection films and evo, one of my heroes for automotive journalism. His video on the Quail can be found here. I’m sure there are some that I’m missing. For a racing fan like myself, it’s nigh impossible to meet all your heroes in one place outside of a track paddock.
FOOD! And lots of it
Next, the food. The Quail famously has multiple tents with vastly different menus from around the world. Each pavilion had their own name, such as Pacific Coast Highway, Road to Hana, Atlantic Road, Ruta 40, Guoliang, and Spartanburg. So, what does each name mean? Glad you asked: The PCA featured the food of California, with a prawn and avocado aguachile in a tostada form, as well as heirloom tomatoes. Hawaiian reigned at Hana by showcasing an ahi tuna poke bowl, rice noodle salad, and a mango salad. Norwegian-themed Atlantic Road served slow-cooked salmon with juniper and dill dressings, absolutely crushingly crispy surkal potatoes, marinated cucumbers, and roasted beets. Honestly though, some of the best potatoes I’ve ever had.
Argentina came to life at Ruta 40 with hanging pierna de ternera, or, hanging beef cooked coals, ready to melt in your mouth. Hainan-style chicken with ginger-scallion and sweet chili sauce was the main course at the Guoliang tent of Chinese dishes while Slow smoked pork with a mustard-barbecue sauce represented the Spartanburg, South Carolina pavilion. Componere Fine Catering was responsible for the culinary creations. Too much food to list? Yes, I skipped over half the dishes, and it was hard choosing which to gloss over. Drinks? How’s this sound: Fernet, ginger beer, syrup, fresh lemon, and Angostura bitters – that would be the Two to Tango. Or the Bixby Breeze, with Bixby Gin, wasabi, Meyer lemons, sage, and tonic – ultimate refreshment in the sun.
Live music is a thing in each tent, too. I heard classical renditions of popular ABBA songs and even Lorde covers by the talented duets and trios. On top of that, there was another area with oysters and caviar. The caviar did have a sizable line, but oysters? That did not, and they’re way better anyways.
Cars and more (super)cars
So then, the cars. To be fair, BMW didn’t exactly have a presence at the Quail besides the first car to ever be produced by the Spartanburg plant. That was cool. But let’s talk about the hypercars we all dream about each day. Part of the Quail this year was the celebration of the McLaren F1 (hey, it is BMW-powered!), of which Gordon Murray’s gifted child turned 25 this year, and it didn’t disappoint. Several examples of the iconic poster-star were on display. 25 years on, it has aged dramatically well, looking thoroughly modern and fresh still. This same weekend, an F1 sold for a staggering $19.8 Million at auction…and that was below estimates.
You like Paganis, Koenigseggs, Bugattis? Don’t worry, you’re more than covered. Seeing the exquisite details in Horacio Pagani’s realized dreams in person is almost beyond belief as the nuances and traits outnumber what the eye can process. The first ever Zonda was present, too, and I must say, I do prefer the older Zonda to the Huayra. It’s a clean, almost simplistic shape in comparison, but striking still with its aggressive proportions. In fact, I feel the only way to properly describe how a Zonda looks is to say it looks like a Zonda. Then there’s the ultra-limited Huayra HP Barchetta. Oh man, is that a synthesis of holiness. A chopped windscreen, giant air intake over the open-cockpit and driver’s head, and a MANUAL transmission…just epic.
The coolest Bugatti isn’t new
Christian von Koenigsegg brought the new Jesko, what will likely become the fastest car in the world. Will it top 300 MPH? It looks like it’s going that fast stationary. An amazing car to behold as a result. But, we need to address Bugatti. And I’m not talking about the new Centodieci that they unveiled at the show, but the classic, almost forgotten about…EB110. This was the product of the 1990s, a time that produced cars like the F50 and Jaguar XJ220. Talking with those who’ve driven all of them, the EB110 is considered way ahead of its time and of any contemporary. It was the future hypercar before any knew what a hypercar would be. It came armed with a tiny 3.5L V12, albeit with 4 turbochargers, all-wheel drive, a 6-speed manual, and everyday drivability. That last part is what has become the defining factor of the EB110, from chatting with Kris Singh (Instagram car enthusiast Lamborghiniks) about his own EB110. It has become one of my favorite cars ever in a rapidly short span of time as a result of its grandiose splendor and coolness. I had never seen more until Monterey Car Week 2019.
Of course there were Ferraris, too
Though, what’s a car show without multiple Ferraris and Lamborghinis? All sorts of flavors and vintages were present to showcase Maranello and Sant’Agata’s finest. So yes, there were plenty of each. Another favorite was a stunning verde 512 Boxer Berlinetta due to the sheer outspoken beauty.
Not vestigial by any means, Quail was a crown jewel of Monterey Car Week 2019. Its flame burns louder every year it seems. People from all over the world attend (accents and languages from each continent will be heard), with racing drivers I worship, and celebrities in every corner of the fairway (I refuse to name the annoying ‘youtubers’ that attended or recognize them as somebodies) . Annoyances? Mark Webber took questions from the audience during an interview, and an attendee asked him about Will Power. All respect to Will Power, an incredible driver, but why would you ask someone like Mark Webber about somebody else? It was a Mark Webber Q&A, ask Mark something about himself! Soft-rant over.
The Monterey MVP?
Attend the Quail once, and you won’t want it to be your last, but the first of many. 3 years in, and consequently, I don’t plan on relenting one bit. It’s the automotive Met Gala, a celebration of cars and car culture. Monterey Car Week 2019 delivered as expected, but this, this is peak Monterey Car Week. You can view the official Quail video here as well.
The late great Anthony Bourdain once said, “The way you make an omelet reveals your character.” The organizers have figured out the perfect omelet, one of opulent and creative extravagance. Yet, certainly with a variety to make each bite feel like the first all over again.