Judges

Alex Hirschi, otherwise known as Supercar Blondie, is the co-founder of SB Media Group which has grown to over 120 million followers, generating an average of 2 billion views per month. Alex also recently expanded in to the tech world, having launched the premium global car auction platform, SBX Cars.

Ben Horton

Co-Founder, Hortons Books Limited, Hammer Down Automobilia Auctions and Automobilia Collectors Expo

Ben has been involved in the classic car arena for over 30 years as both car and business owner. In 1997 he co-founded the business he still runs today and has developed it into a world renowned and respected company. Having helped build some of the world’s foremost motoring libraries, Ben now leads the way in the advice on, and supply of, automotive literature. Ben’s enviable customer base includes many of the leading car collectors across Europe and the USA, several of whom he initially met at the host of motoring events the business exhibits at on both sides of the Atlantic. He is now in the rare position of having seen many of the major events from both behind the scenes and from a visitor’s perspective and can provide valuable insight into the successful recipe for a world renowned motoring event. He is the co-owner of Automobilia Collectors Expo which replaced Automobilia Monterey during Car Week this year and is also a partner in Hammer Down Automobilia Auctions which will have a live auction at the 2025 running of the event.

Peter’s first step into the business side of the collector car world came when he happened upon an early-2000’s advert for the hobby. Experienced in the business of advertising, but seeking a shift in careers, Peter wrote up an offer to help source cars and develop a UK auction house in Italy. This would lead him to RM Auctions, which he joined full-time in early 2007, becoming a pillar in developing the businesses expansion, and eventual Managing Director in 2016, of RM’s European side, beginning with 2007’s Ferrari auction in Maranello. A stint away from RM from 2017 to 2022 saw him further his expertise, helping to establish an online auction platform and develop a brokerage business for cars and Riva boats before returning as Chairman for UK and EMEA in February 2022. He seeks to continue his streak of innovation, eye turned towards corporate relationships as well as expansion in the Middle East, where he hopes fresh new ideas, buttressed by the region’s willingness to try them out, can flourish into opportunities.

Despite seeking the new in business, Peter’s tastes are cemented in the aesthetics of a bygone era. For thirty-five years, he has owned a 1961 Jaguar E-Type Coupe—a former daily driver—and, more recently, a 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, which he uses to take the family on speedy runs across continental Europe. A lover of classic boats, namely Rivas, he can claim ownership of two: a 1961 Ariston and 1969 Super Aquarama, both calling Northern Italy’s Lake Maggiore home. For Peter, the appeal of taking such wooden beauties out is the sense of traveling back in time, the water the same as when the boats’ hulls were first deftly crafted; along with free, versatile movement on the water, often shared with friends. Where possible, Peter lives life as an artistic endeavor, an ideal stemming from an early love of old films, particularly Hitchcock, and for the rhythms of jazz—live and via the medium of vinyl. Similarly, he enjoys the fifties and sixties classics for their style, beautiful lines, powerful engines, splashes of chrome, and use of natural materials, like wood and leather. The reasonings he provides for such loves are simple: he appreciates the analog and feeling of human participation that the build of such cars and boats impart. Human participation itself, and the art of conversation, is paramount, as Peter is always happy to dive into the interests of others and form new relationships.

Born in 1960 in Wareham Massachusetts, Tim Suddard grew up the son and grandson of a Ford dealer. He began restoring cars at the age of 14 and still has the first car he restored, a 1929 Ford that his grandfather had sold brand new.

Shortly after graduating Stetson University in 1982, he decided that America’s car magazines focused too much on the wealthiest few, or those who dreamed of being the wealthiest few, so he started Grassroots Motorsports, a magazine geared towards regular people who enjoyed fixing up and playing with common, readily available sports cars.

This success led to the formation of a second publication; Classic Motorsports, which has become America’s largest publication catering to classic sports car enthusiasts.

These publications led to an events business, that includes the Ultimate Track Car Challenge, classic sports car tours, Monterey Car Week and Amelia Island Concours welcome parties and the $2000 Challenge series of low-cost events; that have been run since 1999.

His company also does a variety of contract publishing work that has included publication of the Amelia Island Concours and Hilton Head Concours programs.

He lives with his wife and partner, Marjorie in Ormond Beach Florida, and has two grown children, that both work in the business. Suddard maintains, rallies and races a collection of more than 20 eclectic, mostly British, sports cars and has restored over 50 cars since that first Model A.

Nigel is a founding member of ICJAG (International Chief Judge Advisory Group) and the current Chairman. He has judged at 145 Concours events worldwide during the past 20 years, including Pebble Beach since 2005 and more recently at Villa d’Este. He is the Chief Judge at Salon Prive, the La Jolla Concours, Hillsborough Concours and the Las Vegas Concours.

Originally from Oxfordshire, Nigel has enjoyed the past 49 years living in Vancouver, Canada, where he worked for 20 years as a Red Seal licensed automotive technician, repairing and restoring Rolls-Royce and Ferrari automobiles.

The past 29 years of his 50-year-plus automotive career have been in the classic and exotic car insurance industry as a specialty vehicle damage appraiser, underwriter, including ten years as the Administrator of the British Columbia provincial government collector and vintage vehicle licensing and insurance programmes.

He has worked for Hagerty since 2010 and is currently their Global Brand Ambassador.

Rob has significant interests in professional auto racing and international collector car markets. He is member of the board of Hagerty Inc, a leading insurer of collector cars, and an advisory board member of McLaren Racing, the UK-based Formula1 racing team. Rob is currently the chairman of the Race Team Alliance, an association of NASCAR Cup Series teams, and also the owner of RK Motors, a North Carolina-based restorer and re-seller of classic and performance cars.

Additionally, Rob is an active vintage racer and participant in a variety of automotive events worldwide, with his personal collection of significant historic and performance vehicles.

After spending the majority of his career in finance, Rob is currently a private investor and entrepreneur.

David is one of the most experienced and best-connected editors in the automotive world, with a strong commercial understanding as well as extensive contacts and experience in both modern and classic automotive, including motorsport. David has won many awards, as both a writer and an editor. He is one of the founders of Hothouse Media and Chair of the Judges for the 2024 Awards.

Sandra has guided the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance since 1986, serving first as its Executive Director and since 2002 as its Chairman. She established the event’s first Selection Committee and has been directly involved in expanding the range of cars shown and drawing many more entrants from overseas. As its primary executive officer, Sandra oversees not only the Concours but all of its installations, finances, charitable efforts, marketing efforts, print and online publications, all staff and over 1000 volunteers. Under her guidance the Pebble Beach Concours has consistently ranked as the top event of its kind in the world.

In tandem with the Concours, Sandra has created and overseen several related events—notably the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Motoring Classic driving events, the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forums, and Pebble Beach RetroAuto.

Sandra has also been deeply involved in transforming the collector car hobby into a truly global celebration of the automobile, supporting many new automotive events and seeking to encourage the next generation of enthusiasts. She has encouraged the creation of (and often officiates at) concours from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and South America. In recent years, she has served as Chief Judge, Judge or Honoured Guest at The Amelia (US), Audrain (US), Arizona (US), Bensberg (Germany), Bund Classic (Shanghai, China), Cartier (India), Concours of Elegance (UK), Dubai (UAE), Kuwait (Kuwait), Valletta (Malta), Villa d’Este (Italy) and 21 Gun Salute (India) – to name just a few. She has also draughted and delivered presentations at key motoring conferences on the importance of cars and concours to our shared cultural heritage.
She and her husband, Martin Button, have an eclectic collection of automobiles and regularly participate in driving events such as the 1000 Millas Sport Argentina, the Copperstate 1000, and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Sandra is also a member of the Royal Automobile Club, the Classic Car Club of America, the Motor Press Guild, and the Society of Automotive Historians.
Sandra is now recognised as one the most important people in the collector car world. Magneto magazine recently named her one of the top ten ‘Most Influential People in the Collector Car World’, and Octane consistently includes her on its list of ‘Power People’ related to collector cars.

Carol has been passionate about cars and motorsport all of her adult life. Indeed, she has been collecting cars since the age of 21 and in particular is associated with the Alfa Romeo marque, having owned many pre-war and post-war examples, both race and road cars. She is a member of the Scuderia del Portello and a founder member of the Scuderia del Portello UK.

She has edited the historic motor sport magazine Historic Motor Racing News since 1994 and has raced herself in an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, a Lotus XI Le Mans, an Aston Martin DB2/4 and an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ among others. She has also driven in many competitive rallies, including the Tour Auto, Carrera Panamericana, Targa Tasmania, Ruta Maya and the Modena Cento Ore.

She has founded and organised various successful historic race series, including Gentleman Drivers, Sports Racing Challenge, U2TC for pre-1966 touring cars and she continues as Director of the Pre-’63 GT series, which she founded in 2011. She is a member of the FIA Historic Circuit Sub-Commission and founder member of the European Historic Motor Sport Association.

Carol also brings her experience and sensibilities as a judge at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille concours.

Yan-Alexandre is a journalist specialising in car culture. He is editor-in-chief of Enzo magazine, which specialises in Ferrari, and of the French edition of Octane.

Ton started his journalism career at a local newspaper but spent all his free time on classic cars. He was able to indulge his passion for cars professionally during the 26 years he worked for the leading Dutch car magazine Autovisie, 18 of them as editor-in-chief. The past 12 years he has focused entirely on classic cars as editor-in-chief of the Dutch (and Flemish) edition of Octane magazine.

Mark is the founder of Hyman Ltd, one of the largest and most respected collector vehicle dealers in the world. Based in St Louis, Missouri, Hyman Ltd’s 70,000-square foot facility is filled with a diverse inventory of nearly 200 of the world’s finest automobiles, covering virtually every era and genre imaginable – from horseless carriages to modern-era supercars and virtually everything in between. Mark and his expert staff of 15 serve a global clientele through sales, procurement, and a highly successful consignment programme.

When not making deals happen in the office, Mark can be found meeting friends old and new at concours events, tours, rallies, and automotive gatherings around the world. After more than 33 years in operation, he combines his passions for automobiles, business, and travel, continuing to drive Hyman Ltd into the future.

Passionate about cars from a young age, particularly vintage models, Massimo dedicated every spare moment to learning about car mechanics. His journey in the automotive world began in 1997 after a fateful encounter at the Mille Miglia, leading to a prolific career as a writer for esteemed car magazines worldwide. His expertise and passion led to his appointment as the Italian Contributor for Octane in 2016 and as the Editorial Director of Cavallino in 2022. Since 2018, he has been an influential member of ICJAG (International Chief Judge Advisory Group), presiding over prestigious concours d’élégance events such as Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este. With a cherished collection of classic cars in his garage, he firmly believes in the joy of driving and cherishing classic automobiles. His mantra resonates with every enthusiast: cars are meant to be driven, especially classics.

Henry founded Eagle E-types in 1984 and has been a determined collector for over four decades, driven by a tireless passion to acquire the finest landmark motoring icons. Much of his collection has taken years to collate, selected after a lifetime of focus and dedication. He has gained a world-wide reputation as a leading authority on Jaguar E-types and 1980’s ‘Le Mans’ Group C racing cars, also becoming the 2008 Historic Group C Race Series champion.

Dominic is the founder and MD of Association of Heritage Engineers (AoHE), the motive heritage network, an NFP membership organisation supporting and promoting businesses, individuals, education and apprenticeships. Dominic is also the creator of the AoHE ‘Forward Thinking’ trade technical seminar series, and co-host of the Coventry Concours. He is a passionate advocate for all of heritage engineering, and a classic car enthusiast.

Bruce is a prominent businessman in Beverly Hills, best-known for his family ownership of GEARYS Beverly Hills. He is the Founding Chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum, where he remains an active member of the Board. Bruce has a world-class car collection and continues to race and rally his cars internationally. He was recently inducted as a lifetime member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club.

For more than 25 years, Amanda has combined her automotive passion with being one of the UK’s leading female motorsport, classic car and automotive TV broadcasters, and has built a reputation for her knowledge and understanding of the international car industry, developing technologies, government policy and consumer motoring.

While racing vintage cars, she began her motoring career on leaving university by immediately catching the eye of motorsport broadcasters. She has gone on to present motorsport coverage for BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky in the UK, Fox Sports in the US, and also Eurosport. She is currently the first female and British Master of Ceremonies for the Pebble Beach Concours.

More recently, having worked with numerous OEMs in a variety of roles but essentially to enable them to communicate technology and development changes to both product and policy, she has become a regular contributor to both BBC and Sky, making sense of the rapidly changing personal mobility landscape.

Yet Amanda is more than just a spokesperson, because unlike her peers she has also gone on to race competitively in modern GT and Le Mans prototypes on the world’s most famous racetracks, and is still the only British female racing driver to have won an International long-distance GT race, and the last British female driver to have competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours.