BOBBY UNSER
Feb 20, 1934 – May 2, 2021
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The call came early this morning. It was more bad news in a year that produced more than its share of ugliness.
Most racing drivers that came of age in the 1950s didn’t really expect to live into their 80s. Despite walking on motor racing’s biggest stage in the benighted year 1955, that’s exactly what Bobby Unser did. He once joked he was lucky and hasn’t racked-up too much of what racers called “sheet time.” It was more than luck. He had the Unser “gift”, part mechanical sympathy and a seventh sense that manifested itself more spectacularly at speeds in the 200 mph-neighborhood.
2004 poster art by Chuck Queener
Robert William "Bobby" Unser was the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser, and Louis Unser, the father of Robby Unser and the uncle of Al Unser Jr. and Johnny Unser.
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Photo courtesy of Bill Warner
He was the first Unser to win the Indy 500 and the first racer to win the “500” across three decades. His victories in 1968, 1975 and 1981 delivered Dan Gurney’s Eagles their first 500 victory (and their third). In 1975 he even won the IROC title and in 1993 the made-for-TV Fast Masters Championship. He was selected as one of Sports Illustrated's "Top Five Athletes" in the magazine's first twenty years, along with the Martini & Rossi and Olsonite "Driver of the Year" awards in 1974.
The controversy regarding his final “500” win (1981) opened the door for his retirement. His disgust for what he saw as ugly politics kept him out of the cockpit but he ended up in the broadcast booth for NBC, ABC and ESPN. He brought the same sort of ferocious competitiveness to the announcer's booth as he did in Indy Cars.
Unser became a television commentator for Indy Car races after his retirement, working for ESPN, NBC and ABC. Unser also worked as the analyst for the Radio Network in 1986. In 1989 and 1990, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded ABC's Indy 500 telecast the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special with Unser receiving announcer honors with Paul Page and Sam Posey: his on-air verbal jousting with ABC co-commentator (and 2013 Amelia Honoree) Posey is still the stuff of legend. Much was theater as both Sam and Bobby were very good friends.
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Bobby Unser honoree of the 2004 Amelia Concours
Bobby Unser is still the grand master of Pikes Peak. In 1986, after a 12-year absence from “the Mountain”, he broke the tie for nine Pikes Peak wins he shared with his uncle Louis. His 13th and final Pikes Peak victory came in an Audi Quattro.
A decade later he and a friend became lost in a blizzard during a snowmobiling adventure near his New Mexico home but were found just before Christmas. He was fined for "unlawful operation of a snowmobile within a National Forest Wilderness Area" and received a $75 fine, which he appealed to the Supreme Court. (They found against him.)
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George Barris and Bobby Unser at the 2004 event
“Uncle Bobby” as he was known affectionately by his large and accomplished family, was our Amelia Honoree in 2004 and our first time Indy 500 winner.
It’s no surprise he went into the Unser “family business.” The Unser family has won the Indy 500 a record nine times. He is one of ten drivers to have won the “500” three or more times and the first of only two to have won the 500 in three decades (1968, 1975, 1981) making the transition to ground effects seamlessly.
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He was a giant personality, an accomplished communicator, outspoken, opinionated and accomplished. He could back up his opinions in every circumstance and environment.
When I think of Bobby, he’s always smiling.
Bill Warner
Warner and Unser at the 2004 Honoree Gala
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Bobby Unser photos courtesy of Neil Rashba/The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance unless otherwise noted. |
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AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
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Thursday, May 20, 2021
Guardians of Porsche Wine Maker's Dinner
6:30 - 10:30 PM
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Begin your AMELIA weekend with an intimate four-course dining experience. A sommelier pairs each course with wines complementary to the menu.
Cocktail Attire
Advance Reservations, Limited Seating
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Porsche Driving Experience
7:00 am - 4:30 pm Departs from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
The Porsche Driving Experience departs from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport immediately following the 7:00 a.m. check-in and 7:30 a.m. drivers meeting with coffee and donuts. Participants will travel in their personal vehicles to a yet to be determined location where they will enjoy activities to include an autocross in one of the latest Porsches and a spirited ride with a professional driver. The tour will also make a stop at The Brumos Collection which began as an eclectic private automotive collection that was stored on-site at the Brumos car dealerships in Jacksonville, Florida. Many international and national award-winning cars, historical documents, and racing artifacts are housed in their new location. Lunch will be served.
- Limited to 125 cars
- Must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the event
- Required documents:
- Valid Drivers License
- Ownership of a Porsche is not required
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Chevy Thunder Seminar
3 pm - 4:30 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom
Host: Ray Evernham
Panelists:
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Herb Fishel
- George Follmer
- David Hobbs
- Brian Redman
- Dr. Eric Warren
A seminar hosted by NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Ray Evernham to celebrate Chevy Thunder, which was the GM Racing tag line during the ‘80’s. Panelists scheduled to appear include: Herb Fishel – Director of GM Racing for 40 years; George Follmer – UOP Shadow Racing; David Hobbs – 1972 SCCA F5000 and SCCA Tran-Am Champion and Brian Redman – 3 time SCCA F5000 Champion and IMSA GTP Champion, all in Chevy powered cars, Dr. Eric Warren – Head of GM Racing and two-time Daytona 500 winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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McLaren Dinner of Champions
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom
Celebrate two legends & thought leaders
Keynote: Miles Collier and Bill Warner
Cocktail attire
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The All-Conquering Porsche 935 Seminar
3 pm - The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom
Host: Ray Evernham
- Hurley Haywood
- Alwin Springer
- Brian Redman
- David Hobbs
- Kevin Jeannette
- Mark Raffauf
- Jack Atkinson
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Honoree Gala Dinner
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom
Every year The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance honors a legendary hero of the racing world. In 2021, The Amelia celebrate racer, writer, broadcaster, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, the inspiring Lyn St. James. Lyn’s life is a high-speed motorsports adventure. Her racing career began in a Ford Pinto in the 1970s and had its grand finale more than two decades later in a special commemorative ceremony on the “yard of bricks” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other highlights of the evening include the announcement of The Amelia’s “What Drives You Award” and the “Spirit of the Concours Trophy” along with charity auctions, delicious gourmet food and beverages.
The celebration begins at 6:30pm on Saturday, May 22, 2021 in The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s Talbot Ballroom.
Limited tickets are still available for this black tie optional event. Reserve your seats today.
Photo courtesy of Lyn St. James
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The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM The Golf Club Amelia Island 10th & 18th Fairways
- General Admission Adult: $125 – Purchased April 1, - May 22, 2021
- General Admission Adult: $150 – Purchased at the Gate/Day of Event
- General Admission Early Entry Adult $185.00 - Purchased July 6- May 22, 2021 *Ltd. Qty
- General Admission Early Entry Youth $100.00 - Purchased July 6- May 22, 2021 *Ltd. Qty
- General Admission Youth 13-17 years old: $60 (12 and under free w/paying adult)
- Active Duty Military and Dependents with Active Duty ID: $60 each available on-site only
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Buy 2021 Event Tickets in Person - Ticket Sales Locations
- Claude Nolan Cadillac, 4700 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
- Jaguar Land Rover Jacksonville, 11217 Atlantic Blvd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park, 7018 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Mercedes-Benz of Jacksonville, 10231 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Lexus of Jacksonville, 10259 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Lexus of Orange Park, 7040 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Fields Cadillac Jacksonville, 7999 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Fields Cadillac St Augustine, 375 Outlet Mall Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32084
- Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd, ste. 101G, Amelia Island, FL 32034
- Amelia Island Welcome Center, 102 Center St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
- Golf Club of Amelia Island, 4700 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034
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Concours and More
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM The Golf Club of Amelia Island
- Ticket includes early entry into the show field at 8:30 AM
- A private lunch inside the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island(11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) in the Talbot Ballroom
- Event Poster (to be distributed at lunch)
- Tickets not available day of show
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Club Amelia
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Club Amelia Pavilion on the Showfield
Your Club Amelia Ticket includes:
- Early Admission onto the show field at 8:30 AM (One hour prior to gates opening to public)
- Collectible Program
- Collectible Poster
- Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Snack
- Hosted Bar
- Covered seating located in the Awards Presentation area
- Private restrooms for Club Amelia Patrons
- Parking decal provided.
It is not necessary to purchase General Admission tickets for entry onto the show field. Your Club Amelia ticket is your entry into the show field.
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All images are property of The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance / Deremer Studios unless otherwise noted.
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About The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
THE AMELIA is held May 20-23, 2021 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island. The show’s Foundation has donated over $3.75 million to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville and other local and national charities since 1996. To learn more about the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, visit www.ameliaconcours.org.
The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance| 904-636-0027 | E-mail | Website
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