The Art of the Concours: A Judge’s Perspective on Audrain Motor Week 2026
In the sun-drenched enclave of Newport, Rhode Island, the automotive elite gathered once again for the highly anticipated Audrain Concours d’Elegance. This prestigious event, now a beacon of haute culture and automotive excellence, has quickly established itself as a must-attend destination on the global classic car circuit. But what truly elevates this world-class gathering beyond mere spectacle is the rigorous intellectual rigor involved in judging the finest automobiles the world has to offer.
The Audrain Movement: Beyond Tradition
As Donald Osborne, the erudite and eloquent Master of Ceremonies, posed the now-infamous question, “What’s it going to take to get you out to the Audrain?” the answer was already evident in the very fabric of Newport. Established in 2019, the Audrain Motor Week represents a bold new vision for classic car events. It is a meticulously curated fusion of concours, vintage racing, rallies, and exclusive gatherings that collectively define the “state of the art” in automotive appreciation.
What strikes me most about the Audrain is its audacious spirit. Where competitors rest on legacy, Audrain pushes the boundaries of what a luxury automotive experience can be. Founded in direct response to industry shifts, the organizers understood that the automotive landscape was changing. Car enthusiasts were no longer just collectors of steel and leather; they were increasingly focused on provenance, condition, and historical significance.
For the last decade, I have traveled the world judging, hosting, and attending the world’s most significant automotive events. I’ve witnessed firsthand how the criteria for “greatness” has evolved. What was once a simple exercise in admiring automotive craftsmanship has transformed into a profound academic discipline. At the Audrain, you are not just looking at beautiful cars; you are analyzing the very DNA of automotive history.
The Call to the Court: Why a Judge’s Opinion Matters
For the second consecutive year, I was honored to be invited as a judge for the Audrain Concours d’Elegance. This invitation represents a pinnacle of recognition within the automotive community. It signals not just an appreciation for cars, but a deep-seated understanding of the technical and historical nuances that separate a good car from an extraordinary one.
I remember my first interaction with the Audrain founders a few years ago. We were at MODA, an event created in response to Hagerty’s Broad Arrow acquisition of Amelia Island. The tension was palpable, but the shared passion was undeniable. The Audrain team understood that true excellence requires more than just a beautiful setting; it requires integrity and a commitment to objectivity.
“Make me a judge?” I asked.
With a charismatic smile that could charm the silver right off a Rolls-Royce hood ornament, Donald Osborne extended his hand and declared, “You’re a judge. See you in Newport.”
This is the difference between an event and a movement. The Audrain is not just a collection of cars; it is a statement about the future of automotive culture. It challenges participants and judges alike to think critically, to push boundaries, and to appreciate the very best of automotive history and innovation.
Into the Deep End: A Study in Car Culture
The allure of the Audrain stems in part from its proximity to Pebble Beach, the undisputed granddaddy of all fancy-pants car happenings. Decades ago, attending Pebble Beach felt like stepping into another dimension. It was an era before the constant hum of social media and the pressure of content creation. Back then, the idea of participating at that level was almost unthinkable. I remember arriving underdressed, naive enough to believe the Sunday show was akin to a local Cars and Coffee. What I failed to realize was that automotive concours are not just about showcasing beauty; they are about rigorous evaluation.
What makes the Audrain particularly compelling is its proximity to an event many critics argue is more competitive and arguably more discerning than Pebble Beach: the Audrain’s own “The Gathering,” held at Doris Duke’s estate, Rough Point. This event, modeled after The Quail, is where the real conversation happens.
At a recent live podcast recording of Spike’s Car Radio, featuring Jay Leno as a special guest, Leno made a profound observation. He described the Audrain as reminding him of Pebble Beach fifteen years ago—a time of unparalleled craftsmanship and exclusivity. Leno, himself a Newport resident and a major patron of the arts and automobiles, is an essential part of the Audrain’s success. In fact, his dedication was so recognized that the city officially declared October 2nd to be Jay Leno Day, a testament to his enduring influence on the automotive world.
How to Judge? A Question of Expertise
So, here I was, a judge on the grand stage of the Audrain Concours d’Elegance. As the breakfast coffee warmed the morning air, head judge Phil Neff posed a question that resonated with every person in the room. “Is there anyone here who hasn’t judged a concours?”
Not a hand went up.
Now, I’ll be honest. I hadn’t judged a concours of this caliber before. But I had judged the Concours d’LeMons, a parody event that celebrates the worst of automotive history with as much fervor as the Audrain celebrates the best. I had judged it so many times that I’ve lost count and sworn off ever doing it again. Should I have raised my hand? Who knows, but in the end, it’s cars, right? How hard could it be? As I mentioned before, my ego has never been defeated. Why not me?
Neff and his team had partnered me with Ray Evernham, a NASCAR Hall of Famer who won everything—often with Jeff Gordon. Evernham and I hit it off immediately. We discovered we had both raced at Pikes Peak, which immediately bridges the gap between pure racing and concours aesthetics. Our task: to award the Sporting Choice Award.
“What, exactly, are we looking for?” I asked. “Do we focus on sports cars, or actual race cars?”
Neff just smiled. “Yes.”
This meant we were responsible for evaluating every car on the lawn that had either two doors or no doors. That’s well over 100 cars. And we had only two hours to do it in.
Judging 101: The Philosophy of Automotive Excellence
Sporting our judge hats, complete with official medallions, clipboards, No. 2 pencils, and navy blazers, Evernham and I stepped onto the hallowed ground and quickly developed a strategy. Like at any concours, the cars are organized into classes. Our approach was simple: evaluate each class, identify a car that “popped,” and write down our top four or five favorites.
Crucially, we were instructed not to get bogged down in the nitpicky minutiae that plagues many modern car judging events. Who cares if the trunk lining is wrong? In fact, don’t even open the trunk. We were looking for impact, presence, and sporting spirit.
Still Not Simple: Decoding the Art of Judging
As we moved through the classes, the depth of the collection quickly clarified the answer to my earlier “Why not me?” fantasy.
Class D, the Ford GT40 road cars, consisted of six near-identical homologation specials. These were factory GT40s, cars born to race. Picking a winner without dissecting every rivet or carb-bolt alignment would have been impossible without serious expertise. It was clear that the judges for this class had to be seasoned racing professionals who understood the intricate differences between these legendary machines.
The same held true for Class A, the pre-war Alfa Romeo division. Six mind-blowingly excellent 8C models were on display. I couldn’t begin to explain why the car that ultimately won its class was chosen, although that burgundy beauty did go on to win Best of Show—and somehow, that made perfect sense.
Making the Hard Calls: Sacrifices and Selections
Despite the staggering quality, we still managed to develop a shortlist, though sacrifices were unavoidable. There was a Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe that absolutely blew my mind. It’s one of only two ever built, and the other is intentionally kept away from public view. As a statement of pure automotive innovation, it’s unforgettable. However, I realized that while it was novel and certainly had a “Wow!” factor, it wouldn’t win the Sporting Choice Award.
For his part, Ray Evernham was captivated by an exceedingly rare Allard JR. This particular car had an incredible racing history, having competed in the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, I soon discovered he owns three Allards, so we had to strike this JR from our list. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful piece of engineering—fitted with a Jaguar C-Type body to comply with Le Mans regulations, but still powered by a 5.3-liter Cadillac V-8. It remains the most successful of the seven Allard JRs ever built.
The hardest decision we faced was for third place (Honorable Mention). It was a battle between two titans: a 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Touring Superleggera Coupe and a 1940 Cadillac Series 62 Bonham & Schwartz Convertible Victoria.
I’m a sucker for post-war Alfas. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I just love them to pieces. The Bakelite used on all the switchgear, the curves of the body, the very soul of the machine—it captivates me. This particular
