by Wallace Wyss –
I read in newspaper reports that, during Monterey Car Week, quite a few owners of exotic cars did some stuff that would be considered “dangerous” on local roads. Not as bad as the “takeover” thing that occurs in Oakland and Los Angeles with stolen muscle cars but still scary, dangerous and unwelcome by locals.
They are giving exotic car owners a bad name. I can see after a fatality or two, events like the Pebble Beach Concours, the Quail, Concorso Italiano and others being cancelled, even outlawed on the Peninsula. They want tourists, not hooligans.
It’s most terrifying when such tomfoolery takes place in a little village like Carmel-by-the-Sea. You don’t expect in a small town to see 200-mph cars ripping round corners.
I think the Police might have to block off roads to catch hooligans, so they can start confiscating cars whose owners are caught in the act.
I would hate to see such a week, with so many events, get cancelled because the juvenile nature of some car owners ruins it for all.
Let’s hope this gets under control before anything tragic or drastic happens.
Note from Mike Gulett, Editor
I know many locals (not car lovers) who leave town during Monterey Car Week because of the crowds and traffic. While I do not believe there is a chance of canceling Monterey Car Week – the local police are determined to stop the shenanigans before it gets worse.
This year there was an incidence of vandalism on two McLarens parked on the streets of Carmel. This should not be tolerated.
I noticed many drivers of modern supercars in Carmel that looked very young and I wondered how they could afford to drive such an expensive car.
My personal observation of cars on the street was dominated by modern exotics rather than old classics.
One driver made such a loud noise when he hit the gas that I suspect the mufflers were not connected. None of this behavior is acceptable and should not be a part of Monterey Car Week.
I hope the hooligans stay home from now on.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR is a fine artist who depicts the rarest of cars on canvas. He can be reached at Mendoart7@gmail.com
Glad you pointed this out! We enjoyed showing our Iso Grifo at The Quail for the 60th anniversary and often commrnted on these “hooligans” and thought how annoyed the locals must be at their poor behavior. As a long time classic car enthusiast and also an admireer of the super cars too I was shocked how so many young can afford these. many of these expensive super cars that woud be more at home on the track instead of the the public streets. I would hate to see these bad actors jeopardize these fabulous events but I wouldn’t be suprized to see complaints from the locals.
Also in addition to the two McLarens I heard a vintage Ferrari was vandilized.
Part of the reason I haven’t attended car week for a number of years is that it seems that many people just attend to “be seen” and more interested in hobnobbing than truly enjoying the beautiful cars that show up for events and classics that show up on the streets. Like lots of things unfortunately, a few bad apples can spoil the bunch. Let’s hope the young super car jockey/influencers go away and leave car week for true car lovers.
“Stupid is as stupid does”
We don’t need a repeat of he tragic irony of Paul Walker losing his life at the foolishness of a yahoo driver showing off.
Low horsepower brains in high horsepower cars (same applies to boats).
Here is a picture of respect for a 5300 GT.
Bizzarrini-Photo-3-24-21.docx
Rex,
Here is the photo you tried to post – a shot of my Bizzarrini leaving The Quail in 2009, or maybe 2012.
The confiscation of an exotic for showing off (burnouts, drifting, etc. in downtown Carmel might not be too much of a blow as the city could sell the car at auction and donate the money to charity on behalf of the registered owner. I suspect after two or three supercars undergo this, the attendees in 2026 will be better mannered
Young princes never know as much as their kings. I’ve watch this problem also and it’s just a bravado protocol that the older ones started with grace, yet the younger Nouveau Riche are too foolishly eager to prove themselves. Yes, stupid moments cause danger to many others. They will calm down, it is just a period moment.
Young princes never know as much as their kings. I’ve also watched this problem and it’s just a bravado protocol that the older ones started with grace, yet the younger Nouveau Riche are too foolishly eager to prove themselves. Yes, stupid moments cause danger to many others. They will calm down, it is just a period moment.
Hello Mike,
I’ll try again, and thanks for your photo.