"Nob Hill Toasts The California Mille"; An Elegant Street Party Showcasing The Rare Sports Cars of the California Mille

Business Wire, April 24, 2000

Business Editors & Travel Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2000

On April 30 from 4 to 6 p.m., the public can preview one of the nation's most spectacular displays of vintage sports cars at "Nob Hill Toasts The California Mille." Sponsored by The Fairmont San Francisco, the outdoor reception will showcase the 65 rare sports racing and production cars, dating from 1927 through 1957, which will tour Northern California in the prestigious California Mille. Highlighting this year's event is an additional display of nearly 100 classic luxury cars from the local community.

In addition to the unique display of cars along Mason, California and Sacramento streets, partygoers will enjoy wine and spirits, sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and a chance to win fabulous raffle prizes, courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Other sponsors of the world-class auto event include Jaguar Cars North America, KGO-AM, Veuve Cliquot, and Pearl Vodka.

Jim Dunbar of "KGO Morning News" will be the master of ceremonies for the exciting event and Sid Colberg of Concours de Elegance fame will introduce the unique cars and drivers of the California Mille.

The event will benefit the Nob Hill Foundation, Inc. which serves to preserve and enhance historic Huntington Park. Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $45 at the door. They can be reserved by calling (415) 772-5204.

CALIFORNIA MILLE

Drivers from around the world will begin displaying their prized automobiles in front of The Fairmont Hotel at noon on April 30. At precisely 7:30 a.m. on May 1, the Italian flag will drop to commence the tenth annual running of the California Mille. The 150 participants, including the drivers, their navigators, mechanics and a California Highway Patrol escort, will embark on a four-day journey across 1000 miles of California back roads.

The California Mille is patterned after the world-famous Italian Mille Miglia, the legendary 1000-mile open road race from Brescia to Rome and back. Although the Mille Miglia originally ran from 1927 through 1957, it was revived as an annual event in 1982.

Today, the California Mille is the only U.S. event to be recognized by the Mille Miglia Storica (Historical Society) of Brescia, Italy.

The California Mille unites rare and very valuable cars from across the globe. This year's collection ranges from pre-war Alfa Romeos to post-war Ferraris and includes a bountiful array of Jaguars, Porsches and other renowned sporting cars. Drivers from Europe, South America, Japan, Australia and many cities across the United States will participate in the celebrated tour of cars.

Martin Swig, an avid historic car racer, is the organizer of the California Mille and was the sole American entrant in the Mille Miglia in 1982. Event sponsors include Jaguar Cars North America, The Fairmont San Francisco, Momo Design Watches, Grundy Collector Car Insurance, MaCaffery International Car Shippers and Meguiars Car Care Products.

The Fairmont San Francisco is located atop Nob Hill at 950 Mason Street.

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