HomeCity NewsSan Marino Gears Up for 6th Annual Motor Classic

San Marino Gears Up for 6th Annual Motor Classic

The 1950 Ferrari 150 that won Post-War Best in Show last year.
The 1950 Ferrari 150 that won Post-War Best in Show last year.

The Pasadena Humane Society, Rotary Club of San Marino and University of Southern California Marching Band are the three beneficiaries of this weekend’s San Marino Motor Classic at Lacy Park.

Aaron Weiss, a co-founder of the event, described himself and his fellow co-founders, Ben Reiling and Paul Colony, as three guys who put together a car show and decided to give back to the community.

Since the inaugural San Marino Motor Classic five years ago, the event has raised over $1 million. This year Weiss and fellow organizers plan to donate $100,000 to the Pasadena Humane Society, $75,000 to the Rotary Club of San Marino and $50,000 to the USC Marching Band.

“This is about being a fundraiser in which we use a car show to be a catalyst,” said Weiss, who anticipates around 6,000 to 7,000 attendees.

“This event brings in both people and their money from the outside and benefits the citizens of San Marino,” he added, noting that about 90 percent of attendees are not San Marino residents.

After paying off overhead costs, a majority of the funds raised go to one of the three beneficiaries or into an endowment fund. Weiss hopes that the fund, which has approximately $140,000, will eventually make the event less dependent on ticket sales. The entire event is made possible through the efforts of very committed volunteers.

According to Weiss, the San Marino Motor Classic raises more money than any other regional car show. The event has been so successful that it is often called “Pebble Beach South,” an homage to the world famous Concours D’Elegance that takes place every August in Monterey Bay.

The event’s resounding financial success enables it to have a meaningful philanthropic impact both locally and globally.

“The event means we can provide 70 percent more in support for things like teacher mini-grants, therapeutic swim programs, aid for the homeless, as well as, school uniforms, backpacks, supplies, shoes and dental care for children,” said San Marino Rotary Club President Michael Driebe, who noted that funds from the Motor Classic make up a large part of the club’s charitable distributions.

Weiss listed the soccer field at Stoneman and the playground at Lacy Park as visible examples of projects that were built in part by funds from the Motor Classic.

The event includes a $250 per person gala on Saturday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. The Spirit of Troy will play a different song from each era of automobile represented at the gala, which is officially called “A Symphony of Cars: Vintage Automobiles and their Music.”

The main event on Sunday, June 12 – which will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – will feature over 320 vintage cars and 40 vendors. General admission is $25 for adults, if bought before the event, $30 at the gate and is free for children 12 and under.

“For about $100 [a family of two adults and two kids] can have a really great afternoon,” said Weiss.

The San Marino Tribune invites subscribers to join us for coffee and donuts at the San Marino Motor Classic in Lacy Park on Sunday, June 12 from 9-11 a.m.

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