Madrid, Spain, May 6, 2007 -- It was announced today that the inaugural Concours d´Elegance Internacional Aranjuez set for June 7-10, 2007 would have to be cancelled because they couldn’t use the Royal Palace of Aranuez as the exhibition grounds.
The concours organizer, Jean L´Homme said in a letter sent this morning via email to his growing list of participants, judges, guests and sponsors that he “regrets to communicate the unfortunate news that the event can not take place as it was planned because the Town Council of Aranjuez did not get the permission from the Spanish Institution which looks after the Palace, Patrimonio Nacional, for the exhibition of cars in the grounds of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez for the event.
The event has been in the works for over two years and received a great deal of support from the Town Council of Aranjuez whose members agreed “to get all the permissions needed,” said L’Homme.
The Town Council, “provided us with official information about the Town of Aranjuez included in the application sent participants and sponsors as well as they have invited with great hospitality some of our collaborators and sponsors such as Lufthansa Cargo Charter to help sell the project: Concours d´Elegance in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. “
Assured that they had the local support needed to pull of this event the organizners enlisted the help “collaborators from classic car world,” including Jules J. Heumann, the long time leader of the famed Pebble Beach concours in the United States, to help them get the best cars in the world.
They lined up an impressive number of cars including 6 cars from the Schlumpf Collection in France. Deposits were made with companies for the activities surrounding the event. The US Embassy in Spain who had contacted them saying that the US Ambassador in Spain, Eduardo Aguirre was interested in the Concours since he was a friend of one of the participants.
Unfortunately, the best laid plans often go awry. The organizers are embarrassed and it appears some of the participants may have to wait to get their deposits back. The organizers hope to “pay back” the funds but explained that costs incurred trying to mount the event has, “left us unable to do so.” JeanL"homme said, "We are committed to pay back all over time."
Voiturette D´Elegance S,L is currently preparing legal action against the Town Council of Aranjuez, “for their lack of collaboration and the economic and moral damage done to us.” We will update you on this situation.
For more information: www.voiturette-delegance.com
To read the complete letter: Letter from Jean L'Homme
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