The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

Of all the events that take place over the Pebble Beach Concours weekend, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, has become what might be the hottest ticket in town. Billed as "day-long celebration of the luxury lifestyle," the Quail combines rare automobiles with fine food in an intimate atmosphere on the green behind Carmel Valley's Quail Lodge.

Tickets to the Quail are hard to come by - they went on sale this past January and were gone within one day. Price is $250 per person, but for that sum guests enjoy the exclusive vehicles on display, dine on such gourmet dishes as herb bavette de flanchet with wilted Savoy spinach or grilled mahi-mahi with Caribbean fruit salsa, and sample wine and champagne from such cellars as Bernardus and Louis Roederer. Exclusive jewelry and fine hand-rolled cigars were available for purchase.

In addition, attendees have access to the Bonhams & Butterfields Auction, where a number of rare cars were sold, including an unrestored Talbot-Lago that sold for more than $4 million.

As with every year, the Motorsports Gathering features a number of specialized displays and themes. For 2008, the Quail honored the cars that have raced in the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 25th anniversary of the legendary Porsche 959, and Dan Gurney's Eagle racecars. Recognized, in addition, was the career of Valentino Balboni, who has been the chief test driver at Lamborghini for more than 30 years.

In addition to the fine cars and gourmet food, guests also had the opportunity to take a test drive in such vehicles as the Maserati GranTurismo or a selection of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars, including the new SL63 AMG that boasts 518 horsepower. Also on display was the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, as well as a custom Rolls Drophead Coupe convertible painted in a very bright yellow.

The Land Rover Experience Driving School makes its home at Quail Lodge and is another benefit of Motorsports Gathering tickets. Getting behind the wheel of a new Range Rover or LR3, guests can experience the capability of these luxury off-road vehicles on a special course set up behind the resort.

Adding to the excitement is a parade of historic racecars that drive in from the Monterey Historics that take place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. These cars roar into the Quail grounds around noon amid much excitement.

With only 3,000 tickets sold, the Quail is one of the most exclusive events of the week, creating an "intimate garden-party atmosphere." If you like great food and beautiful cars, the Motorsports Gathering is the place to be during the Pebble Beach weekend.