Letters.(Letter to the Editor)

Concours overload

Pete Lyons wrote nearly my exact thoughts about the week in Monterey (Cover Story, Sept. 1). There are too many events to appreciate them all. By the time the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance rolled around I was so worn out from Concorso Italiano, the auctions and Laguna Seca that I hardly stayed more than two hours.

I also sensed that many of the people at the events (mostly Pebble Beach and the auctions) thought of cars in the investment sense. But while I'm complaining, I admit I have no suggestions on how I'd fix the problems I see. Next year I'll spend more of my time at events like the Monterey Historic Races that focus on the pleasures of driving the cars and not just how much they're worth.

Drew Phillips, Azusa, Calif.

Having attended the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Historics, I found the article an interesting perspective, specifically on how the festivities have become so commercialized. All popular events are rooted in some simplistic endeavor or enjoyment, but the laws of supply and demand, along with cultural trends and fads, soon engulf such events and eclipse the original.

However, this is much like holidays: People often lose sight of why we celebrate and get caught up in the commercial aspect, but at the end of the day we pause and acknowledge its origin.

Richard Hansen, Ukiah, Calif.