The Ultimate Guide to Judging at the 2026 Audrain Concours d’Elegance: An Industry Expert’s Perspective
When the gates swing open for the 2026 Audrain Concours d’Elegance in Newport, Rhode Island, a select few will be invited not just to attend, but to judge the world’s most exquisite automotive masterpieces. Imagine standing alongside the titans of the industry, deliberating over marques that define automotive history, and having the responsibility of crowning the year’s most exceptional machine. This isn’t just another luxury car event; it’s a pilgrimage for those who truly understand the soul of a classic car. As someone who has been immersed in the world of classic car collecting and high-end automotive auctions for over a decade, I can tell you that being invited to judge at the Audrain is an experience of a lifetime—and a serious responsibility.
What is the Audrain Concours d’Elegance? A New Standard of Excellence
For those unfamiliar, the Audrain Concours d’Elegance is a premier event that has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s most prestigious concours events. Founded in 2019, it emerged as a direct response to the consolidation in the high-end automotive world. The organizers, driven by a passion for automotive heritage and a desire to preserve the authentic spirit of classic car judging, built a world-class event that rivals the established names in the field.
The Genesis of an Automotive Mecca
The story behind the Audrain is one of passion and defiance. Frustrated by the luxury car auction market becoming dominated by a few major players, a group of enthusiasts set out to create a different kind of event. They wanted a concours where the focus remained on the cars, the history, and the camaraderie of the automotive community. The result was the Audrain Motor Week, a week-long celebration of all things automotive held in the historic seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island.
The event quickly gained traction, attracting the world’s top collectors, historians, and automotive legends. What sets the Audrain apart is its commitment to preserving the traditions of the Concours d’Elegance movement. This isn’t about modern automotive distractions; it’s about celebrating the engineering, design, and history of the world’s most beautiful and significant automobiles. The Audrain has become more than just a car show; it has become the pinnacle of automotive elegance, attracting an audience of discerning collectors looking for the best vintage car deals and rare finds.
Newport: The Perfect Setting for Automotive Royalty
Newport, Rhode Island, provides the perfect backdrop for the Audrain Concours d’Elegance. Known for its Gilded Age mansions, historic cobblestone streets, and breathtaking ocean views, Newport offers an atmosphere of unparalleled sophistication and history. The event culminates on the legendary golf course of the Golf Club of Rhode Island, where the world’s finest automobiles are displayed in stunning arrays, set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
The city’s deep connection to American history and its appreciation for beauty and elegance make it the ideal location for this prestigious gathering. For collectors and automotive enthusiasts, Newport is synonymous with luxury, refinement, and automotive excellence. It’s a place where history is not just remembered but celebrated, and where the spirit of innovation and design continues to thrive.
The Role of a Judge: A Serious Commitment
Serving as a judge at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance is a significant honor and a substantial commitment. It requires a deep understanding of automotive history, design, and craftsmanship. As I’ve experienced in similar high-stakes environments, the decision-making process is rigorous, and the expectations are high.
What It Takes to Become an Audrain Judge
Unlike traditional car shows where participation is open to the public, being a judge at the Audrain is by invitation only. The organizers invite individuals with proven expertise in the automotive world. This includes automotive historians, renowned collectors, automotive designers, and industry veterans who have demonstrated a deep appreciation for automotive excellence.
To be invited to judge, you need to have more than just a passion for cars. You need to have a reputation for integrity, a keen eye for detail, and a genuine appreciation for the history and craftsmanship of these rare machines. For collectors, the Audrain represents the pinnacle of collector car appreciation and vintage car investment, making the judge’s role a highly respected position.
The Selection Process: A Rigorous Evaluation
The selection process for Audrain judges is rigorous and meticulous. The Audrain team carefully vets potential judges to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge and expertise to evaluate the diverse range of cars that compete each year. They look for individuals who can appreciate the nuances of different automotive eras, understand the historical significance of each vehicle, and recognize the dedication that goes into restoring and preserving these masterpieces.
If you’re a collector looking to buy vintage cars, or someone interested in rare classic cars for sale, you’ll understand the importance of having an expert judge these vehicles. The Audrain selection process mirrors this level of scrutiny, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of judging these extraordinary automobiles.
Into the Deep End: My Experience at the Audrain
Being invited to judge at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance was a transformative experience. It brought back memories of my early days in the automotive world, specifically my first time attending Pebble Beach Car Week. Back then, I was green, naive, and completely unprepared for the grandeur of it all. I didn’t even know what to wear or how to act. I just showed up, assuming it would be like any other cars and coffee event. I was wrong.
A New Kind of Car Event
When I attended Pebble Beach for the first time, I quickly realized that this was a different kind of automotive gathering. It was a world of elegance, sophistication, and serious automotive appreciation. I remember seeing a Pulitzer Prize–winning automotive journalist serving as an honorary judge, and a thought popped into my head: “Why not me?”
Fast forward to today, and I’ve had the honor of serving as a judge at the Audrain. This event, founded in defiance of traditional car shows, has established itself as a world-class vintage car show and a destination for discerning collectors. It’s an event where the focus remains on the cars, the history, and the camaraderie of the automotive community.
The Audrain: The “New” Pebble Beach
Many automotive enthusiasts argue that the Audrain is now better than Pebble Beach. Jay Leno, a legend in the automotive world, famously remarked that the Audrain reminds him of Pebble Beach 15 years ago. Leno, who owns a significant presence in Newport, is a vital part of the Audrain community. In 2025, the mayor of Newport even proclaimed October 2, 2025, as “Jay Leno Day,” a testament to his contribution to the event.
The Challenge: How to Judge?
So, here I was, serving as a judge at the big show on Sunday. I was at the judges’ breakfast, enjoying coffee and eggs, when the head judge asked if anyone here hadn’t judged a concours before. To my surprise, no hands went up, not even mine. OK, so I’d never judged a fancy luxury car auction like the Audrain. But I had judged the parody car show, Concours d’LeMons, so many times that I’ve lost count and vowed never to do it again. Should I have raised my hand? Who knows. But, you know, it’s cars, ain’t it? How hard could it be? Remember, my ego is undefeated. Why not me?
The head judge and his team paired me up with Ray Evernham, the NASCAR hall-of-fame crew chief who has won everything, often with Jeff Gordon. Evernham and I hit it off immediately, as we discovered we’d both raced at Pikes Peak. We were tasked with handing out a special prize, the Sporting Choice Award. Basically, we were looking for the most sporting car on the lawn.
I asked head judge Phil Neff for some clarification. Did he want us to focus more on sports cars or actual race cars? “Yes,” he replied, smiling. This meant we were responsible for looking at and judging every car present that had either two doors or no doors. That’s well over 100 cars, and we had two hours to do it in.
Sporting Our Judge Hats
Sporting our judge hats, medallions, clipboards, No. 2 pencils, and navy blazers, Evernham and I stepped onto the field and quickly came up with a plan. Like at all concours, the cars are broken up into classes. We’d simply look at each class, figure out one car that “popped,” and write down our top four or five favorites. Our instructions were not to get bogged down with typical nitpicky minutiae that plagues modern car judging. Who cares if the trunk lining is wrong? In fact, don’t even open the trunk.
Still Not Simple: The True Complexity of Judging
As the day progressed, I quickly realized that the decision of who should win would not be easy. Two of the classes made me realize quickly the answer to my earlier “Why not me?” fantasy.
Class D: The Ford GT40 Homologation Specials
Class D consisted of Ford GT40 road cars, six near as I could tell being identical-quality GT40 Mk1 homologation specials. For real, all looked equally awesome, and without checking carb-bolt alignment (as we were instructed not to do), I
