The Amelia Names Dario Franchitti MBE as 2026 Honoree, Unveils Weekend Schedule Featuring Saturday Concours Celebration

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amelia, a leading global concours weekend known for its racing roots and luxurious setting at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, today announces Dario Franchitti MBE as honoree for 2026. A revered name in motorsport, Franchitti's passion for driving excellence, deep roots in international racing and continued work as a car culture ambassador make him a special addition to The Amelia's world-class roster of honorees.

Franchitti's celebrated racing career and contributions to the automotive world include:

• Four-time IndyCar Series Champion (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2007, 2010, 2012)
• 31 career IndyCar victories and 89 podium finishes
• Rolex 24 at Daytona winner (2008)
• Gordon Murray Automotive Director of Brand and Product
• Accomplished motorsport broadcaster, passionate collector and preservationist
• Member, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame, Scottish Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame

The weekend activities commence on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with Reverie, an evening featuring the rich intersection of automotive, travel and culinary craft as inspired by this year's honoree. Hagerty's Broad Arrow Auctions will then hold a two-day auction on Friday and Saturday. The concours will take place on Saturday, March 7, featuring 250 vehicles across 30 curated classes. RADwood, the popular celebration of the '80s and '90s automotive lifestyle, returns alongside the concours with more than 200 cars. The weekend concludes with an expanded Cars & Community on Sunday, March 8 covering more show fields than ever with a heightened focus on enthusiast entertainment and connection.

The Amelia is expected to display the 2012 Dallara DW12 Franchitti drove to victory at the 2012 Indianapolis 500 as part of the traditional 'Cars of the Honoree' class. Additionally, The Amelia is excited to announce several featured classes: Porsche Aluminum-Bodied Racers, Can-Am Racers and Corvette Factory L88.

"I've been coming to The Amelia for many years, not just to admire the incredible cars, but also to celebrate those who've been honored before me," said Dario Franchitti, the 2026 Honoree at The Amelia. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced the success I have, made possible in large part by the talented people I've worked with and the incredible cars I've driven. My love for all things automotive continues to grow every day, and I'm thrilled to share that passion with thousands of fellow enthusiasts in March."

"The Amelia has always been fueled by a passion for competition and a deep connection to racing culture, and Dario Franchitti exemplifies both. He's an extraordinary addition to our legacy of honorees," said McKeel Hagerty, Hagerty CEO, Board Chairman and Chairman of The Amelia. "As an event shaped by enthusiasts, we've listened closely to the guests who attend The Amelia year-after-year -- hosting The Amelia Concours on Saturday will allow for an improved experience while creating room for a bigger-than-ever Cars & Community on Sunday."

In 2025, Broad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty company, saw great success with its third annual sale at The Amelia. The auction achieved $61.7M in total sales, with 88 percent of all lots sold, led by the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione at $9.5M. The company returns for 2026, once again hosting its preview in the ballroom and on the stunning oceanfront lawn of the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. The two-day sale will see more than 150 collector cars cross the block while building on the success of previous years. Additional information can be found at broadarrowauctions.com.

Now in its fourth decade, The Amelia is recognized globally for blending motorsport heritage with contemporary car culture in an elegant, coastal setting. The 2026 event promises an evolving selection of automobiles and curated experiences that appeal to collectors, enthusiasts, and newcomers alike, featuring seminars, films, parties, auctions, driving experiences, and more.

Entrants can expect final classes to be announced this summer while guests will see a ticket launch this fall. The Amelia is also pleased to share that Cars & Community entrants from 2025 will receive priority registration for 2026. Enthusiasts interested in staying updated on class announcements, schedule details and ticket pre-sales can visit ameliaconcours.com.

About The Amelia
The Amelia is a multiple award-winning motoring event held March 5-8, 2026, at The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. A Broad Arrow Auction, luxury shopping, new vehicle reveals & experiential drives, exclusive gatherings and entertaining seminars surround the evolving event format, with Saturday's Concours d'Elegance and Sunday's expanding Cars & Community. Each year, The Amelia honors a racing legend and attracts celebrities from across the automotive landscape. Since its inception in 1996, The Amelia has donated over $4 million to deserving non-profit and charitable organizations.

About Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY)
Hagerty is an automotive lifestyle brand committed to saving driving and to fueling car culture for future generations. The company is a leading provider of specialty vehicle insurance, expert car valuation data and insights, live and digital car auction services, immersive events and automotive entertainment custom made for the 67 million Americans who self-describe as car enthusiasts. Hagerty also operates in Canada and the UK and is home to Hagerty Drivers Club, a community of nearly 890,000 who can't get enough of cars. For more information, please visit www.hagerty.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Hagerty