INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: HONORING LYN ST. JAMES
Jacksonville, FL – March is Women’s History Month, thirty-one days set aside to recognize the contributions of women historically and now. Today is of significant importance, March 8th is International Women’s Day. For the first time in 26 years, The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will celebrate a female honoree, the inspiring Lyn St. James, at the 26th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, May 20-23, 2021.
The Amelia's 2021 Honoree, Lyn St. James. All photos courtesy of Lyn St. James.
Lyn St. James, The Racer

Lyn’s 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. Her first titles were a pair of regional south Florida road racing championships. She would drive a Corvette at Sebring, Palm Beach and Daytona. Her class victory at the 1979 24 Hours of the Nurburgring would solidify her place as a world-class driver.

In the 1980’s Lyn would join the pro ranks as a Ford factory racer. Her finesse and determination would earn her Autoweek magazine’s 1984 Rookie of the Year in IMSA’s GTO class. In 1985 she would win IMSA’s Norelco Driver of the Year award and score an unprecedented and still unequalled solo IMSA GTO class victory in the Serengeti Drivers New York 500 racing a Roush Mustang. She would later win two class victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona. 

Lyn would return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 as a part of an all-women’s team, sharing driving duties with two-time World Sports Car Championship race winner Desiré Wilson and Cathy Muller.
Lyn St. James, The Record Breaker

In 1988 Lyn set a closed course speed record for women at 212.577 mph, just one of 21 national and international speed records Lyn authored. She earned another page in the record books with an Indy 500 qualifying lap of 227.32 mph that stood as a record for women until Sarah Fisher’s lap of 229.675 mph qualifying for the 2002 “500."
Lyn St. James, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Lyn’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged in an auto components business that fused with her passion for racing. Her ability to see and understand motorsport from the perspective of the cockpit and the boardroom has been a constant asset during her long tenure in and around motorsport. In 2010 those skills were honored by Automotive News as one of The Top 100 Women in the Automotive Industry. Sports Illustrated named her one of the “Top 100 Women Athletes of the Century.”

She has been a spokesperson for Ford, appeared in Rolex ads and is the founder of the Lyn St. James Foundation (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization) for the education, training and advancement of women in automotive fields. She has also served on the board of Kettering University, a top engineering school.

Lyn served as President of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 1990 to 1993. In 1994, Lyn was inducted to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame; Working Woman Magazine included her as one of the Top 350 Women Who Changed the World between 1976 and 1996. She’s been summoned to The White House for civic honors by three consecutive Presidents -- Reagan, Bush and Clinton.

"Lyn has been an integral part of the racing community for years and followed in the steps of the likes of Elizabeth Junek, Janet Guthrie, and Lella Lombardi who won races, set records and broke barriers,” said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “The Amelia would like to thank Lyn for agreeing to be our 2021 Honoree. Her incredible career, compassionate spirit and powerful presence are an inspiration to us all.”
The Amelia's 2021 SEMINARS:
 
Friday, May 21, 2021: Chevy Thunder Seminar
 
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.
CARS & COFFEE AT THE CONCOURS
Saturday, May 22, 2021
9am-1pm, The Golf Club of Amelia Island
Free admission

Note: All spaces for Cars & Coffee at the Concours 2021 are filled, however we have two spaces that will be raffled off. Tickets are available for a small donation to the concours. Click here for details

Photos: Chevy Thunder courtesy of Canepa Motorsports. Porsche 935 courtesy of Bill Warner.
AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
Thursday, May 20, 2021

Guardians of Porsche Wine Maker's Dinner 
6:30 - 10:30 PM
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
Friday, May 21, 2021

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 fabulous new 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.  

  • Limited to 125 cars
  • Must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the event
  • Required documents:
  • valid driver's license
  • Need not own a Porsche to participate

Friday Seminar - Chevy Thunder
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: Dale Earnhardt Jr - Two-Time Daytona 500 winner; Herb Fishel – Director of GM Racing for 40 years; George Follmer – UOP Shadow Racing; David Hobbs – 1972 SCCA F5000 and SCCA Trans-Am Champion and Brian Redman – 3 time SCCA F5000 Champion and IMSA GTP Champion, all in Chevy powered cars.
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM The Awards Area on the Showfield

McLaren Dinner
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom Talbot Ballroom

Cocktail Attire
Saturday, May 22, 2021

Saturday Seminar - The All-Conquering Porsche 935
A seminar hosted by NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Ray Evernham to tell stories of racing, preparing and writing rules for the all conquering Porsche 935 when it raced in IMSA. Panelists scheduled to appear include: Hurley Haywood – Interscope, Bayside and Brumos Racing; David Hobbs – John Fitzpatrick Racing; Kevin Jeannette – Swap Shop Racing crew chief; Mark Raffauf – VP of Competition at IMSA; Brian Redman – Dick Barbour Racing and Alwin Springer – ANDIAL.
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM The Awards Area on the Showfield
Sunday, May 23, 2021

The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM The Golf Club Amelia Island 10th & 18th Fairways 
2020 showfield
2021 Honoree Lyn St. James
  • General Admission Adult: $100 – Purchased July 6, 2020 - March 31, 2021
  • 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
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
Club Amelia 
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Club Amelia Pavilion on the Showfield

Your Club Amelia Ticket includes:

  1. Early Admission onto the show field at 8:30 AM (One hour prior to gates opening to public)
  2. Collectible Program
  3. Collectible Poster
  4. Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Snack
  5. Hosted Bar
  6. Covered seating located in the Awards Presentation area
  7. Private restrooms for Club Amelia Patrons
  8. 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.
All images are property of The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance / Deremer Studios

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