2006 Concours de'Graylyn Will Benefit Brenner Children's Hospital

August 28, 2006

The first Concours de Graylyn event will take place at Graylyn Conference Center on Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event features a collection of pre and post-World War II automobiles in the original condition. Private collectors from Seattle, Toronto and Los Angeles are planning to take part in the event, which will include vintage automobiles such as Bentley, BMW, Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo.

Event founder and cancer survivor William Dymond says his dream is to launch a premiere national concours in North Carolina to raise awareness and financial support for Brenner Children's Hospital -- one of the nation's best children’s hospitals, according to Child Magazine.

“We envision an outstanding annual Triad Concours event that will rapidly grow to the stature of Pebble Beach, Meadowbrook, Amelia Island, and the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance,” Dymond said.

The Concours de Graylyn will re-create the atmosphere of Europe's original automobile festivals, where fine cars were displayed with fine art, fine design, and fine wine. “Built to resemble a German estate of the 17th century, Graylyn will provide the perfect setting of old world charm,” Dymond said.

In addition to the main Concours of elite collector automobiles, there will be an extensive display of classic cars and exotic automobiles. Five car rallies will arrive at Graylyn from around the country, culminating in a display of over 300 classic and exotic cars.

The weekend will include a wine event hosted by Childress Vineyards and a unique exhibition, sponsored by the Southeast Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), of pinewood derby racers designed by artists from across the Southeast. Master of ceremonies will be Peter Brock, renowned automobile designer.

Parking for the event will be at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum. Shuttles will be available to take ticket holders to Graylyn. Proceeds from Concours de Graylyn will benefit the children's cancer program at Brenner Children's Hospital, part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

"Having had cancer myself, I found that there is truly a difference between good care and great care,” Dymond said. “The difference can mean life and death. I want the children in this region to have access to the best care possible."

Sponsors for the event include: Flow Automotive Group, Trailers of the East Coast, Krispy Kreme, BMW, BB&T, High Point Bentley, International Restoration Specialist Inc., Auto Events Magazine, Ferrari Club of America, Sport Auto Lamborghini, Meguiars Car Care Products and Childress Vineyards.

Advance tickets are $20 for adult and $30 for a family entry. On the day of the event, tickets will be $25 for adults and $35 for families. Children under 18 years of age are admitted free.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit the event website at www.concoursdegraylyn.com. For more information about the children’s hospital, visit www.brennerchildrens.org.

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Media Contacts: William Dymond, 336-312-6628 or 1-866-472-9596; Bowman Gray IV, 336-725-5524.

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Wake Forest University Health Sciences and Brenner Children’s Hospital. The system comprises 1,187 acute care, rehabilitation, psychiatry and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Brenner Children’s was named one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation by Child magazine.

Media Relations

Main Number: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587