HILTON HEAD ISLAND MOTORING FESTIVAL & CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF 2014 SAVANNAH SPEED CLASSIC

September 8, 2014 by HILTON HEAD ISLAND MOTORING FESTIVAL & CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF 2014 SAVANNAH SPEED CLASSIC

• Celebrating a decade of vintage racing, the Savannah Speed Classic boasts exciting additions, brings racing back to its roots

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d'Elegance (HHIMF), one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing automotive and motorsports enthusiast event weeks, today announced the expansion of its Savannah Speed Classic, held October 24 – 26. The Savannah Speed Classic presented by Mingledorff's, Inc., brings together an exclusive group of the world's finest vintage race cars, drivers, enthusiasts and legends of the sport for a weekend of unique competition in America's home of Grand Prix racing, Savannah, Ga. The annual event also serves as the opening weekend of the HHIMF week.

Now in its 10th year, the Savannah Speed Classic this year welcomes its first-ever presenting sponsor, Mingledorff's, Inc., a leading distributor of high-performance HVAC equipment with 33 locations throughout the U.S. Founded in Savannah, Ga., by former mayor, Lee Mingledorff, the company has long been associated with motorsports as a distributor of Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems, the longest-standing non-automotive sponsor of IndyCar® racing.

'Mingledorff's passion for performance, motorsports and the Southeast makes this the perfect partnership,' said Carolyn Vanagel, president of the HHIMF. 'Together, we're planning to take this event to new heights.'

'Given our deep Savannah roots, we are especially delighted to be the presenter of the Savannah Speed Classic,' said Bud Mingledorff, chairman of the board, Mingledorff's, Inc. 'We're proud to help put the national spotlight on this beautiful city, its racing heritage and the one-of-a-kind opportunities the circuit, as well as the region, offers to automotive and motorsports enthusiasts of all ages.'

In addition to its new partnership with Mingledorff's, HHIMF has also recently signed a five-year agreement with Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd. (HSR) as its race management partner. HSR organizes and promotes some of the best-known historic racing events in the country at major venues such as Sebring and Daytona.

'HSR drivers, staff and fans love coming to Savannah for the Speed Classic,' said James Redman, general manager for HSR. 'It's thoroughly unique to be able to race on a track that's closed the rest of the year while you're surrounded by amenities like world-class resorts, golf and all the hospitality options of one of the country's most beautiful and historic cities.'

After the parties subside, the races will begin. Expecting the largest number of competitors than ever before, HSR is anticipating great on-track excitement for spectators. Highlights at this year's races include:

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· A class of Pre-War race cars to include Bill Stelcher in a 1929 Ford A Speedster, Mike Bartels in a 1934 MG PA, Miles Whitlock in a 1919 Ford Model T and Charles Ebert in a 1939 Ford Dreyer Special

· Exciting entries from Dave Roberts of Hawk Performance in a 1969 Camaro and a 2006 Corvette (the Corvette is a World Challenge winner), Simon Gregg in his TransAm Car, 2014 Corvette and Russell Gee in his BMW 2002, a Rolex 24 Winning Car

Adding to the adrenaline-filled schedule, the Speed Classic will again offer one of its signature elements, hot lap rides for spectators at racing speeds with professional drivers. Hot laps with celebrity drivers such as Bobby Rahal and Hurley Haywood, both previously Honorary Chairmen for the HHIMF, are also available. Hot lap tickets can be purchased on-site at the event and range from $50 to $200.

New Events Offer High-Octane Fun for Automotive Enthusiasts of All Ages

For 2014, the Savannah Speed Classic will begin with the expanded kick-off party in historic Ellis Square. Attendees can expect to see 30-40 race cars parade under police escort from the race track paddock to the Ellis Square/City Market area. Exclusive in the world of motor racing, the Savannah Speed Classic is the only event to run at a purpose-built facility located adjacent to a major city. Additionally, the extremely popular pre-war car group that was featured in 2013 will return with more entrants.

In addition to the growing sponsorship base and the enhanced Pace Lap Party in downtown, the schedule of events for 2014 now includes a Driver's Welcome Reception at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa situated across the river from the city's famed River Street. The official launch of the Savannah Speed Classic will be hosted in Savannah's City Market from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23 and the Driver's Welcome Reception will follow on Friday, Oct. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

'With Savannah serving as the birthplace for Grand Prix racing in the U.S. and hosting such noteworthy events as theGrand Prize Race of the Automobile Club of America (1908), the American Grand Prize (1910), the Vanderbilt Cup Race (1911) and the American Grand Prize (1911), it's only fitting that we continue to grow the racing tradition,' said Vanagel. 'We'll also be joined by the Great Savannah Races Museum and author/museum owner, Tanya A. Bailey, to bring Savannah's place in racing history to the forefront.'

For more details and a full schedule of events for the 2014 Savannah Speed Classic, visit www.SavannahSpeedClassic.com. For more information on the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d'Elegance, visit the official website at www.HHIMotoringFestival.com. Tickets for the 2014 Motoring Festival, including the Savannah Speed Classic, are available for sale online at http://www.hhimotoringfestival.com/tickets.

ABOUT THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND MOTORING FESTIVAL & CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE:

The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d'Elegance will celebrate its thirteenth year in the fall of 2014. The Festival kicks off with the Savannah Speed Classic, October 24 – 26, on the Grand Prize of America road course situated on the property of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. The festivities will continue on Hilton Head Island, SC, November 1 – 2, at Port Royal Golf Club where the Concours d'Elegance (November 2) will take center stage. Motoring Festival Partners for the 2014 Festival include the Port Royal Golf Club, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, BMW Group, Porsche, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mingledorff's Inc., Savannah/Hilton Head International, Hargray, The Island, the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Visit Savannah. For more information, visit www.HHIMotoringFestival.com online.

ABOUT HISTORIC SPORTSCAR RACING, LTD.

Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd. (HSR) was formed in the mid-'70s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from our past. As a 'time machine' of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. For more information, visit www.HSRrace.com.