Cars with hoods popped open, proud owners nearby, lined Depot Park’s lush green grass where Concerts in the Park once was the Friday event d’jour. The 20th annual Concours in the Park, one of five annual fund raisers for Clarkston SCAMP, was on tap this past Friday, Aug. 3.
In conjunction with Waterford Hills Road Racing, Concours boasted more than 70 premium vehicles for car guys and girls alike. Many classic Chevrolet Corvettes and other novelty cars lined the park. The event raised $10,000 for SCAMP, said Donna Clancy, executive director of fundraising.
‘I had a great time,? Clancy said. ‘I’m grateful to all those people who take their time and energy to the park.
‘I love the crowd, it’s a nice, calm excitement with those cars.?
Randy Forester took home the honors for the SCAMPers? Choice award for his 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly. The car was also Clancy’s favorite of the evening.
‘It was so cute and very unique. If 12 SCAMPers showed up to pick that as their favorite car, then that’s my favorite too,? she said.
Rob and Kim Bucchi’s 1966 427 AC Cobra was voted the People’s Choice winner.
Jim Lamb, from Richmond, brought his 2003 Jedi DSR 1 to show off. The compact racer was a hit with children who could nearly see out of the cockpit after getting inside.
‘The kids love it. The car’s small enough they can relate to it,? Lamb said.
While it’s fun for children, when Lamb races the Jedi at Waterford Hills, he has to contort his body to get inside the 16-inch by 36-inch cockpit, he said.
‘When I’m in it, I’m in it. The joke is that I don’t need seatbelts to stay inside,? Lamb said.
The car, powered by a one-liter motorcycle engine, weighs less than 800 pounds without a driver inside.
Friday was Lamb’s first visit to Concours. He said he enjoyed the park setting and auto selection.
‘It’s great, very intimate and the cars are gorgeous. It’s a great selection of cars,? he said.
‘This is a nice event for SCAMP. I’m more than happy to donate my time and energy to something like that.?
‘We are very excited about that,? Clancy said.
Greg Byrnes of Clarkston had been to three Concours events. This year, it was time to have his own wheels on display. Byrnes? 2007 Saturn Sky drew several sets of eyes as he waxed the sportster for the crowd.
‘I’ve come for all three years (I’ve lived here) and drooled over all the cars. I was more than happy to get involved,? Byrnes said.
Ted Lindeberg of Clarkston made his fifth visit to Concours because he likes the quality of the cars on display and older models from the 1920’s.
SCAMP is a six-week summer daycamp program for special needs children and young adults.
SCAMP still has two more fundraisers this fall. The group’s golf outing is slated for Sept. 14 at White Lake Oaks Golf Club and the Clarence Catallo 5K Run for SCAMP will be at Waterford Hills Road Racing course Sept. 30. The run will be held around the track this year. Last year, a course comprised of sidewalks and roads around the Clarkston area was used.
Visit www.clarkstonscamp.com or call 248-620-1882 for more information.