THE PADDOCK MONTEREY INAUGURAL EVENT A SUCCESS

"Fresh and Fun Addition to Monterey Car Week Offered Something for Everyone"

MONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural Paddock Monterey premiered on August 15, 2025, at Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course on the Monterey Peninsula, drawing car enthusiasts, car clubs, and collectors for a relaxed, open-format celebration of car culture. The debut emphasized camaraderie, photography, and conversation over competition, setting a welcoming tone during Monterey Car Week. Chairman Tanya Kosta reflected that launching The Paddock Monterey had been a dream realized, adding, "On behalf of our team, thank you to the vehicle owners and clubs, our sponsors and vendors, the Bayonet Black Horse staff, volunteers, and media partners for helping us launch this event with such wonderful support."

At the center of the event, RADwood delivered a curated display of more than 50 vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s. DJ DP Fonix kept era-defining music flowing across the show field as guests danced, and a Pee-wee Herman lookalike won top honors in the men's category of the fan-favorite costume contest. RADwood's traditional Raddest Ride award went to Ed Bolian, automotive influencer and founder of VINwiki, who shared, "The Paddock Monterey was an awesome expansion of Car Week and a lovely afternoon of true automotive enthusiast fellowship. The lineup of cars was incredible. For me, the chance to bring home the Raddest Ride trophy for the Victoria's Secret Lamborghini Diablo from a breathtaking lineup of RADwood cars was the icing on the cake of a truly incredible Car Week."

Across the field, headliners and activations anchored the program: Kevin Kay Restorations' Aston Martin DB5 "Bond" tribute, showcased with working gadget demonstrations—plus a Siata and Aston Martin DB4—led into a strong presence from members of the Aston Martin Owners Club celebrating the marque's 75^th anniversary in the Americas. Sponsor Saleen honored 25 years of the S7 with an elevated podium display; sponsor Superformance assembled an impressive row of Cobras led by founder Lance Stander; sponsor Shelby American's display included the Super Snake; and a dedicated Spyker gathering marked 25 years, with founder Victor Muller mingling with owners and autographing cars. Further sponsor activations included Drako Motors' attention-grabbing lineup, Vossen Wheels' premium fitments displayed across multiple exotics, and Franco Uomo's stylish male models circulating throughout the event in exceptional fashion and style, adding sartorial polish on the show field. From a wonderful 1932 Ford Roadster to a stunning 1959 Jaguar XK150S to an adorable 2026 FIAT Topolino, there was truly something for everyone's taste.

Handcrafted highlights throughout the show field united modern-day coachbuilders and their bespoke builds—Luke DeSimone's ZC10 Azzurro, Craig Kennedy's reimagined Alfa Romeo TZ, Rob Ida's The Black Cat, and Chris Rünge's hand-formed Helios and RS010—drawing steady crowds. Director of Car Selection Clarence Habovstak described the event debut as an exciting new chapter for Car Week, noting, "I am proud to have played a role in curating such a dynamic and diverse showcase. Thank you to everyone who helped bring it to life."

The VIP Experience inside the Bayonet Black Horse Clubhouse proved especially popular, offering elevated food and beverages alongside display vehicles such as the new FIAT Topolino, with sweeping show field views. Operations Manager Samantha Tobias said the inaugural year was a true success, explaining, "It was filled with energy, community, and an unforgettable good time for all who joined us. Thank you to all the volunteers and suppliers who stepped up to make it possible—we could not have done it without your dedication and support in creating a truly memorable experience."

On the show field, vehicle owners enjoyed exclusive access to the Grand Hospitality Tent, sponsored by Monterey Motor Club. The tent provided light food and refreshments, as well as a place to relax and take in the program. The sponsorship also gave Monterey Motor Club the opportunity to showcase an intriguing concept video to car owners, offering a preview of the forthcoming high-security, elevated automotive storage facility planned for the Monterey Peninsula.

General Admission guests enjoyed access to a dozen carefully selected food trucks and additional food and beverage vendors, while multiple retail vendors offered everything from art to jewelry. A highlight was the Mr. Car Week tent—in collaboration with the Automobilia Collector's Expo held earlier in the week—which brought several expo vendors to The Paddock.

Attention to infrastructure also elevated the event. A low-profile stage set against the Monterey Bay backdrop was framed by sponsor Meguiar's® flags waving in the Monterey Bay breeze, while Glastonbury Inc. powered the program with a professional-grade sound system and a massive hilltop video screen that allowed those on the second and third show fields to watch the stage activity. Event Manager Steven Shonk noted that the team aimed to create a world-class yet approachable atmosphere, reflecting, "From the stage set against Monterey Bay to the flow of the show field, it was rewarding to see our vision come to life and resonate with the crowd."

Giving back was also central to the mission. During online registration, vehicle owners were invited to donate to local charities including Global Empowerment Mission, The Food Bank for Monterey County, ALL IN Monterey, and Sweet Grace, Inc.

The inaugural Paddock Monterey was supported by sponsors including Adobe Road Winery, Aerovault, Drako Motors, FIAT, Franco Uomo, Glastonbury Inc., Kindred Motorworks, Meguiar's®, Monterey Motor Club, Saleen, Shea Homes, Shelby American, Superformance, and Vossen Wheels, with media partners Ferrari Market Letter, Highline Autos, KMBY Radio, My Car Quest, VeloceToday, and What's Up Monterey helping share the story.

ABOUT THE PADDOCK MONTEREY

The Paddock Monterey debuted on August 15, 2025 at Bayonet Black Horse on the Monterey Peninsula as a fresh, non-judged celebration of car culture. Created to unite enthusiasts, car owners, and collectors in a relaxed environment focused on hospitality and storytelling, The Paddock Monterey emphasizes accessibility and community. Ticketing is intentionally approachable to welcome families and to support the "Take a Kid to a Car Show" initiative—encouraging the next generation of enthusiasts.

Social Media

The Paddock Monterey Facebook • The Paddock Monterey Instagram • The Paddock Monterey Website • The Paddock Monterey Image Gallery

Media Contact

Cindy Meitle / CAR PR USA — [email protected] / 480 277-1864

SOURCE The Paddock Monterey