John Oates and his longtime songwriting partner, Daryl Hall, were musical icons of the 1980s. Their success allowed both to pursue passions they enjoyed outside of music. Hall restores historic houses, including his home and recording studio in Pawling, New York. Oates is a car collector who took up amateur road racing in a serious way. He and his wife, Aimee, are marking their 25th wedding anniversary and they’re doing it by making a contribution to one of the world’s truly great automotive events, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in northeastern Florida. John and Aimee Oates are donating one of John’s race cars, a 1984 TIGA SC84 Sports 2000 that he raced in SCCA club events while Big Bam Boom was topping the charts, with all proceeds going to benefit the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, which benefits innumerable charitable causes in and around Jacksonville, Florida.
Amelia Island founder and president Bill Warner shot this image of the fully race-prepped TIGA, which sports a new commemorative color scheme. The acclaimed concours, which picks dual Best in Show winners representing both road and competition cars, is set for March 5 through 8, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island. The celebration will salute Roger Penske as its guest honoree. There’s also a tour for vintage cars, high-end auctions, a silent auction, book signings and a display of cars designed by Harley Earl, among many other activities. The best place to get acclimated with everything that goes on at Amelia Island, and you can also get advance tickets, a game plan we highly recommend. Every car enthusiast ought to set aside the time and money to experience Amelia Island at least once. It’s a terrific happening run by wonderful people. You won’t be disappointed.
Jim Donnelly On Wheels 