CONCOURS APPLICATION

Concours Applications for 2025 will commence on December 15th, 2024

Please review the information below for our Criteria, Application, and Selection process, along with our rules and judging guidelines. For any specific questions on inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

Acceptance Letters will begin in February.

Your application entry must meet the following criteria in order to be reviewed: 

  • Your vehicle must be in full, operable working condition under its own power
  • Your vehicle has not been shown at the Concours in the Village during the past 2 years
  • Your vehicle matches the class you are applying for – if you have questions about which class you should apply for, please contact us for clarification
  • Your vehicle has been submitted within the application deadline
  • Acceptance of the rules and parameters set forth to all Concours entrants

Please use the class list for your reference. Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and an application does not guarantee entry. If your car is approved, staff will contact you directly with registration information. Approvals do take time for our committee to review, please be patient as we review your entry. Welcome letters will commence in February.

All applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. If your entry is selected for the Concours, you will receive a welcome letter and additional information about the Concours and your participation. Entry into the Concours does not include automatic entry into other Events, registration is required for all other events.

Due to the volume of applications, please allow time for your application to be reviewed thoroughly, our Committee takes special care with each potential entrant.

Upon application approval, you will receive a welcome email with additional Concours information, along with a link to pay for your entry fee, which includes lunch for two on Sunday from our Expo Lunch Vendor/Sponsor.

  • Please do not raise the hood on the car at the Concours unless you are asked to do so by a Judge. Cars are meant to be driven with the hood down/closed.
  • Please do not bring any awards, presentations, or signs/posters outlining details of your car. If you have such, please leave them at home. Anyone displaying such items will be asked to take them down, refusal will result in removal of the vehicle from the show field and immediate disqualification.
  • Present your vehicle in clean and proper order, your vehicle should not appear on the show field with dirt.
  • Please be courteous and professional when interviewing with our Judges.
  • Be prepared; the Judges will ask you direct questions about your vehicle, its features, history, and other specifications.
First, as a point of calibration, every car on the show field has merit, as it has been selected from the much larger group of applicants. Not every car that applies makes the cut.

Second, as another point of calibration, the term “Concours d’ Elegance” is French, which roughly translates to “competition of elegance.” As such, the first events of this sort were held in France in the early 1900s as transportation began to transition from horses to horsepower. Those early events were largely about the overall impression of the vehicle, and that led to the use of the term ‘French judging’ throughout the Concours world. This, of course, is not the only type of Concours judging, but it is the one that is most relevant to the Sandhills Motoring Expo. In short, our judging will not check every nut and bolt for authenticity.

What will be considered for judging at the Sandhills Motoring Expo?

Impression:
  • What’s the overall impression of the car?
  • How appealing is it?
Presentation:
  • How well is the car presented?
  • Exterior
  • Paint & Finish
  • Interior
  • Engine Compartment
  • Storage Compartments
  • Accessories
Story:
  • What’s the car’s story?
  • How did the owner acquire the car?
  • How has it been used?
  • What does the owner like about it?

Premier :: Classes 1-10

The Premier Classes represent the ever-evolving heart of the Expo’s Concours in the Village, showcasing a curated selection of vehicles that highlight unique themes, genres, and automotive milestones each year. These categories are thoughtfully chosen to spotlight diverse automotive styles, engineering achievements, and cultural icons, ensuring every Expo offers something new and exciting for enthusiasts and collectors alike. From timeless classics to groundbreaking modern designs, the Premier Classes celebrate the rich tapestry of automotive history and innovation.

Foundation :: Classes 11-17

The Foundation Classes serve as the cornerstone of the Expo’s Concours in the Village, featuring perennial categories that embody the essence of Expo excellence and tradition. These classes focus on enduring appeal, celebrating the craftsmanship, heritage, and favorites that define the automotive world. The Foundation Classes provide a steadfast connection to the Concours’ legacy, offering a familiar yet awe-inspiring experience for participants and spectators alike.

Application Form will be available on December 15th, 2024

2025 Concours Classes

Class 1 – Italian Sports Classic
Celebrating Italian sports cars, this class highlights the elegance and performance of Italy’s most iconic pre-modern vehicles through 1999.

Class 2 – Italian Sports Modern
A showcase of contemporary Italian sports cars, blending cutting-edge technology with Italian design flair for vehicles from 2000 to current.

Class 3 – Ford Thunderbird
Honoring Ford’s classic car, and its 70th Anniversary, the Thunderbird class embodies style, power, and American automotive heritage.

Class 4 – Dodge Vipers
Featuring Dodge’s legendary Viper, this class captures the raw power and bold design of one of America’s most iconic supercars.

Class 5 – Bentley and Rolls-Royce
A tribute to luxurious and timeless engineering, of Bentley and Rolls-Royce showcasing vehicles that define the pinnacle of British craftsmanship.

Class 6 – Porsche 911 Air Cooled
Highlighting Air Cooled Porsche 911 models, this class celebrates the heritage and enduring appeal of Porsche’s flagship sports car up to 1998.

Class 7 – American Post War Classics
A collection of post-war American classics from 1948 to 1979 that illustrate the innovation and style of the mid-20th century automotive scene.

Class 8 – British Sports Cars
Featuring British sports cars from the mid-20th century, 1950 to 1979, this class celebrates elegance, charm, and performance from across the pond.

Class 9 – BMW M Series
Showcasing the iconic M Series, this class includes models from 1978 to 1999 that define the brand’s high-performance legacy.

Class 10 – Motorcycles
A diverse selection of classic and rare motorcycles, capturing the essence of two-wheeled engineering excellence.

Class 11 – Supercars
An impressive collection of high-performance supercars known for speed, style, and cutting-edge innovation.

Class 12 – Pinehurst Countryside Classics
Borne from the Pinehurst Country Club class, Countryside Classics celebrate the charm and spirit of motoring in and around Pinehurst.

Class 13 – Radwood
A throwback to the automotive style and culture of the ’80s and ’90s, this class brings nostalgia and captures the era’s unique flair.

Class 14 – American Sports Classic
Showcasing classic American sports cars up to 1979, this class highlights the golden age of American performance vehicles.

Class 15 – European Sports Classic
Featuring European sports cars through 1979, this class celebrates European craftsmanship, style, and driving dynamics.

Class 16 – Motorsports
This class celebrates the thrill of competition on the track with vintage racers and modern track stars, embodying the passion and ingenuity that fuel the world of motorsports.

Class 17 – Blue Ribbon Winners
A prestigious lineup of vehicles that have won at prior Concours in the Village events, showcasing the best of the best in Sandhills Motoring excellence. Invite Only.