2023 Turtle Invitational

[captruff]

I have been in contact with Philip Richter and for the Turtle Invitational September 23-34, 2023 he will plan to celebrate 30 years of the 500E500. 600Eric and I plan to attend and have our 500Es transported to and from the event. I realize this event is over a year out, but this will take some planning for those on the west coast. I hope some of the East Coast Members will attend with their cars; as this is an Invitational, your cars will need to be approved by their selection commitee to have your car on the field.

September 23–24, 2023
​

at Turtle Garage in Bedford, New York​

View details

69 Stone Hill Road, Bedford, NY 10506​

The 2023 Turtle Invitational will be held over the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. Festivities will begin on Saturday afternoon with a rally commencing at 3 pm at the Hagerty Garage + Social, touring through bucolic northern Westchester County, and ending with dinner at the Pray Achievement Center in Bedford New York. Sunday’s show will start at 10:00 am, with the Turtle Invitational gates opening at 7:30 am for the arrival of show cars and motorcycles, followed by judging, lunch, and the celebratory after-party featuring Veuve Cliquot champagne.
Cost per vehicle is $250 and all profits benefit the Pray Family Foundation.
Honoree:
Turtle Garage is proud to announce the Turtle Invitational 2023 Honored Guest and recipient of the Golden Turtle Award will be Rick Wagoner, former CEO of General Motors.

Logistics​

The show field is reserved for pre-registered invited and accepted cars and motorcycles. These cars and motorcycles are hand selected and approved by the Board based on their rarity, beauty, and historical significance. Only cars that have been pre-selected (in advance) by the board will be granted access to the show field and are eligible to be judged and partake in the awards ceremony. We require invited and approved cars to provide payment well prior to the event. WE WILL NOT HANDLE ANY REGISTRATION PAYMENTS ON SITE DURING THE EVENT. EXHIBITORS MUST PAY THEIR REGISTRATION FEE AHEAD OF TIME. Please be sure to pay the $250.00 prior to the show if your application is approved. You can make your payment by logging into MotorsportReg. Email chris@turtlegarage.com with any questions or problems.
Trailer Parking
There will be plenty of secure trailer parking for the whole weekend.




Recommended Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Mt. Kisco – Reserve
Bedford Post Inn – Reserve
Hyatt Regency Greenwich – Reserve
Hilton Garden Inn Danbury – Reserve

Non-Registered Cars and General Spectators:​

If your vehicle is not accepted for the show field in 2023, you are welcome to bring your car or motorcycle and enjoy the event. We will be providing non-registered classic vehicle parking at an adjacent meadow contiguous to the show field. Hagerty Youth Judges will pick one car from the non-registered field that will be invited to the podium for a special award. There is a $20 gate fee for all spectators (including those with classic vehicles that are not registered for the show field). We will accept cash and credit cards for spectator fees and lunch tickets on-site at the gate. Kids under 15 are free. We ask that all attendees also consider a tax-deductible donation to the Pray Family Foundation. Finally, given the generosity of Danbury Porsche/Audi, there is a designated parking area on the south side of the show field reserved for any spectators that arrive in a Porsche, Audi, or VW.

The ultimate collector vehicle experience | Turtle Invitational

Turtle Invitational brings together spectacular vehicles and hundreds of passionate enthusiasts for a weekend of camaraderie, cars, cocktails, and conversations.

turtleinvitational.com

More update to follow of course.

Jeff

 

[nocfn]

Sounds fun Jeff, thanks for sharing!

 

[gerryvz]

I would definitely consider attending. A nice ~4 hour drive from my house. I would also be amenable if anyone is driving up from points south or the mid-Atlantic area, to organizing a caravan. And perhaps a gathering at my house, or a cruise on the Chesapeake Bay. We are just concluding construction of Phase 1 of our back-yard wonderland. Phase 2 should be done by that time next year.

 

[captruff]

UPDATE: Turtle Invitational 2023

September 23–24, 2023​

at Turtle Garage in Bedford, New York​

I have been in contact with Philip Richter and he would like me to gather a list of potential 50E500 owners interested in participating. If anyone is interested, please PM me your phone number and email so I can forward to Philip.

So far my group is planning to come out from California with the following cars:

Eric Bergstedt aka 600E 1992 500E silver/grey

Jeff Wong aka captruff 1993 500E black/black

Nicholas Wang 1994 E500 pearl black/black

Anne-Marie 1987 190E 2.3-16 astral silver/black

Jeff

 

[captruff]

Update:

The following week sept 28th - oct 1st is the Audrain Concour & Motor Week

Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week

Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week is a celebration of the history of sportsmanship and motoring in Newport, Rhode Island.

www.audrainconcours.com

I will consider staying on the est cost for the following week to participate in this even as well.

Jeff

 

[captruff]

update:

Well the Turtle Invitational is coming up fast. I have made arrangements to have the cars transported to Bedford NY, purchased airplane tickets and made hotel reservations.

Unless something crazy comes up I will be there! I know there are at least a few members that plan to be at this event.

Jeff

 

[Jimbo]

Great collection of .036s !

It was great to put the forum names to faces today. What a fun show ! I'll get some of our pix up soon.

 

[nocfn]

Hopefully, pictures will follow on this thread of all of the Gangs cars, and the others.

 

[deanlaumbach]

Haven't been on here in a while, but I shot some footage of the TGI4 yesterday, and there were some very nice cars in attendance. The level of preservation of the E500s on the field was incredible. Enjoy...

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Thank you for sharing! I assume due to the weather the trurnout wasn't quite as large? Some really beautiful examples!

 

[deanlaumbach]

Thank you for sharing! I assume due to the weather the trurnout wasn't quite as large? Some really beautiful examples!

Yes. I would estimate 20-30% of the cars scheduled to show made it there. A friend of mine drove up his 190E-16V EVO2 (in the video) from Trenton, NJ in the pouring rain !!! I don't think I would have had the bravery he shown yesterday. LOL

 

[maw1124]

Haven't been on here in a while, but I shot some footage of the TGI4 yesterday, and there were some very nice cars in attendance. The level of preservation of the E500s on the field was incredible. Enjoy...

Did I hear “bargain basement supercar” at the 4:40 mark? Do you remember what car he was talking about? I’m thinking the Black Series SL, which was idiotic IMO.

maw

 

[TerryA]

The weather didn’t help the turnout very much plus it appears to have fogged up the windshield. I believe Dean got Captruff & 600Eric’s cars 1st up in the video. They both looked great. I believe the 500E engine shot was Jeff’s car.

@deanlaumbach, Thanks for the video

 

[Jimbo]

Some pix...

 

[maw1124]

Nice pics Jimbo! Your green machine looks excellent! As do the other .036s.

Cheers,

maw

 

[captruff]

My group just got back to socal late last night. I will be posting some images soon.

Despite the weather which was a bit rainy, but actually not too terrible "the best bad weather" we could have had. More importantly, I was able to meet up with Jimbo, Ntrepid, 600Eric, Brent Watts, and a few others from this Board and IG.

For the 500E500 group, 600Erics Silver/Grey1992 500E received Best in Class.

My cars are headed back to socal and the Apple airtags have the cars currently in Lincoln NE

The Turtle Invitational is held every other year and is organized by Philip Ricther and his team. This event is top tier from the organization, venue, quality of cars, and most importantly the people. The next Turtle Invitational will be held September 19-21, 2025 and I will be back with different cars.


Jeff

 

[captruff]

some images

Jeff

 

[maw1124]

The 190 with the sunset should be a poster!

maw

 

[captruff]

one more sunset image


Jeff

 

[asultan]

ill take that silver cos lol

 

[kegmankipp]

one more sunset image


Jeff

Looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting!!!

 

[skikrazey]

The Turtle was a great weekend and car show! Thanks to Jeff for getting me to attend! It was great getting to meet forum members, Jeff & his friends, Robert & his cousin, Eric, and Jimbo. Would have been great to meet GVZ, but he was unable to attend. Taking my 500E for a 3 hour drive in the rain was a blast! The Road Rally was fun with great scenery! I highly recommend attending the next one in 2 years. I plan on attending again. Thanks again Jeff!

 

[captruff]

follow up article in Hemmings

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/turtle-invitational-iv/

Jeff

 

[gerryvz]

Had a wonderful steak dinner last night with @captruff, @600Eric and the 16-valver crew at captruff's house in Orange County. And four big dogs -- Jeff's two Newfoundlands and Anne-Marie's two whippets. Lots of good stories were told from the Turtle Invitational! I am going to put the 2025 event on my calendar as a do not miss event. Was great to catch up with the OC gang! Thanks for the hospitality, Jeff!

 

[gerryvz]

Had a wonderful steak dinner last night with @captruff, @600Eric and the 16-valver crew at captruff's house in Orange County. And four big dogs -- Jeff's two Newfoundlands and Anne-Marie's two whippets. Lots of good stories were told from the Turtle Invitational! I am going to put the 2025 event on my calendar as a do not miss event. Was great to catch up with the OC gang! Thanks for the hospitality, Jeff!

I forgot to mention that I also met @cascade at last night's dinner, for the first time. What a character that guy is. Seems like a very knowledgeable guy about the .036, but .......

 

[cascade]

I forgot to mention that I also met @cascade at last night's dinner, for the first time. What a character that guy is. Seems like a very knowledgeable guy about the .036, but .......

Are you bragging or complaining?

I could say exactly the same about you ... for better or worse.