Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Pros Greatly Outweigh The Cons

The first thing we noticed about this world famous automotive auction is the vastness of the event acreage; nearly a million square feet of the auction site is under cover. Unfortunately, the second thing you are introduced to is the rudeness of the show staff. It started before we even step onto the Barrett-Jackson area.

We were greeted by the most unprofessional security personnel ever. They were overworked and hassled and not shy about expressing their frustration in words and actions. I was ordered to separate from my husband because Paul had a backpack and I did not have a bag. The gentleman overseeing the procedure hurried back and forth making disingenuous statements like, “I am only saying this because this is what I am told to say.” He really did not make much sense. The staff and exhibitors were not much better inside.

Burt Reynolds and McLaughlin Museum presented this 1977 Universal Studios
Promo Bandit Trans Am from the movie "Smokey and the Bandit

Not to make their excuses for them; however, we picked a bad day to attend. Saturday was Cox Charities Family Value Day and children, twelve and under, were granted free access. There was also a two-for-one entry with your current Cox bill promotion. The crowds were enormous.

All that being said, the Barrett-Jackson Auction is definitely worth the price of admission ($75 for the day). We walked over four miles. Everywhere we looked was adorned by beautiful classic cars. It was hard to remember not to touch them.

There was also tons of automobilia (automotive-related memorabilia) to tempt your wallet. Nonetheless, as if over 1,500 cars and 1,400 automobilia items on display was not enough, there were also more than 200 non-automotive vendors and interactive exhibits.

It appear to me that it was Barrett-Jackson’s attempt to make the show more wife/girlfriend friendly. You could purchase high-end alligator boots, deer antler wine stoppers, a hot tub, jewelry, women’s clothing, fishing trip, and/or sign up for Direct Television. However, we do not recommend stopping at the later because that Direct TV salesman was pretty pushy.

There was also wide variety of food and adult beverage stations from which to choose your nourishment. I opted for vegan sobe noodles (noodles made from buckwheat flour) that were stir fried perfectly and filled with vegetables. Paul enjoyed a strawberry banana smoothie for lunch.

Of course I had to try a new whiskey. After an informative Jack Daniels tour, I bought a shot of Single Barrel Select. The amber liquid was very strong with a weighty vanilla accent. While it burned a bit on the way down, I liked it.

On to the auction; I had my eye on Steve McQueen's 1952 Chevrolet Pickup Camper. The 3800 pickup was purchased by McQueen from a migrant farmer he passed on the side of the road in 1979. The Forest Green, one-ton features a 235 cu in Loadmaster six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission and a custom aluminum “Dust Tite” camper in the bed. A certificate of authenticity from McQueen’s estate is also included. I was surprised when it sold for a mere $55,000!!!

However the highlight of my Barret-Jackson experience was the opportunity to chat with the legendary Bob Bondurant. While recuperating from a serious racing injury, Bondurant drafted an idea for a high performance driving school borrowing from the experiences he had while training James Garner for Grand Prix. The man turned his lemons into an empire!!! The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving opened in 1968 at Orange County International Raceway. It is still going strong in Chandler, Arizona.

My son Moses is the manufacturer of the Formula Mazda racecar. The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving uses these cars in their Master’s Race Series. Yup, I am a proud mama.

Overall, I would rate our experience at the Scottsdale, Arizona Barrett-Jackson an eight out of ten. The cons (large crowds, rude staff, and carnival atmosphere) were dimmed by the pros (awesome cars, large food selection, plenty of restrooms, ample seating areas to rest). I cannot wait to compare the Scottsdale auction to the next one to be held in Palmdale, Florida this April.

Photos from the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on 01/30/2016

The event was littered with food options.

Barrett-Jackson  Ride ’N Drives and Thrill Rides Track

That's me in front of Jeff Gordon's original restored
Baby Ruth '92 T-Bird Busch Grand National Car.

Missed seeing ex-teammate Cameron Hayley at his dad's exhibit (Cabinets by Hayley)
Watch Cameron race his #13 NASCAR Truck this 2016 season. 

Husband Paul standing in front of an original Mini-Cooper.

Husband Paul bought a battery tender for his SSR

Steve McQueen's camper up for auction.

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, Barrett-Jackson enjoys a unique reputation for its ability to value, market and consult in the classic car market to consistently achieve above-industry prices. The company’s name is synonymous with a luxury lifestyle and high-end classic and collector automobiles.

Related Posts:

Grand Prize Winner of the 2016 CRAFTSMAN Barrett-Jackson Auction Trips Sweepstakes!!!!!

Grand Prize Winner of the 2016 CRAFTSMAN Barrett-Jackson Auction Trips Sweepstakes!!!!!

NASCAR Race Mom started 2016 with a great phone call. The nice lady on the other end, Linda explained that I was the grand prize winner of the 2016 CRAFTSMAN Barrett-Jackson Auction Trips Sweepstakes!!!!!. I had won not one; not two; not three; but four wonderful trips to enjoy Barrett Jackson Auctions to be held in different states!!!

The contest ended on December 27th 2015 and I remember entering daily. In order to enter, you had to be a member of the Craftsman Club.

The first auction trip is to Scottsdale, Arizona (between January 29 and 31, 2016); the second auction trip is in Palm Beach, Florida (between April 8 and 10, 2016); the third auction trip is in Las Vegas, Nevada (between September 24 and 26, 2016) and there will be one more city and date, which is to be determined. Hubby and I are hoping that the fourth trip will be the Connecticut event in June!!!

I love entering contest and has won a few wonderful prizes. However, this sweepstakes for four trips is one of the best wins.

Barrett-Jackson is known as “The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions.” They specializing in providing products and services to collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts worldwide. In fact, in 2010 Barrett-Jackson was named one of the top 100 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine.

We have never attended a Barrett-Jackson auction but have heard that they are very exciting and filled with automotive activates. We cannot wait to attend the 45th Annual Scottsdale Auction at Westworld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona at the end of the month. You can bet that I will be blogging about our wonderful adventure(s). 

NASCAR Race Mom's a Winner!

They say no good deed goes unpunished. As you know NASCAR Race Mom is a huge fan of all the charitable endeavors of the NASCAR Community. NRM is an especially big fan of the benevolent work of Sprint Cup Drivers #24 Jeff Gordon and his teammate #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 

In fact, just a couple of days ago, NASCAR Race Mom posted about the Jeff Gordon's Children's Raffle which ended today. The proceeds of the raffle benefited the needed funding for childhood cancer research and treatment.

NASCAR Race Mom made sure to buy her ten tickets for the raffle. While I did not win the first nor second prize, NRM was just notified that she won the #9 prize (2005 JG Daytona picture, 1998 JG diecast, 1999 JG diecast/stats book).

 

It is too bad that the picture is not autographed. NASCAR Race Mom still does not have a Jeff Gordon autograph for her NASCAR Collection. However, that does not dampen the joyous feel generated by the fact that NRM was able to help kids in need AND receive a nice reward for that good deed!

Click here for post about Raffle

My Conversation with #24 Jeff Gordon

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® Search for the Fastest Fan

NASCAR Legend Partners with Iconic Brand on Speedy Nationwide Contest

Goody's Headache Relief Shot and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are searching the “Fastest Fan!” Whether tying shoes, solving a crossword puzzle or running errands, one person who brings the most creativity and speed to life on video will win the ultimate tailgate weekend at next year’s Goody’s Relief Shot 500, complete with access to a luxury RV, VIP race tickets and a hangout session with Junior himself. For a man who clocks in at speeds over 150 mph, the benchmark is pretty fast.

NASCAR Race Mom would love to win this competition!

Goody’s®, the brand known for its fast-acting headache relief, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver known for his speed on and off the NASCAR track, are joining forces for a nationwide search to find Dale Jr.’s fastest fan.

The Goody’s Headache Relief Shot Fastest Fan Challenge kicked off  at Martinsville Speedway, where Goody’s and Dale Jr. unveiled a new video to inspire fans to create their own videos depicting their speediest moments. The new video features Dale Jr. speeding through his day, making fast work of everything from solving a Rubik’s cube, to commuting to work, to dressing up for a big night out. It premiered during pre-race ceremonies at the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 and on the national broadcast of the race on ESPN.

“We are partnering with Dale Jr. on the Goody's Headache Relief Shot Fastest Fan Challenge to show everyone how quickly the new Headache Relief Shot works, and to really bring the speed of Goody's fast-acting relief to life," said Joseph Juliano, brand director, Goody's. "With its innovative single-dose format, the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot is unlike anything else on the market, and like Dale Jr., it’s all about speed."

Beginning today, fans can enter the Fastest Fan Challenge by uploading an original video that captures high-speed action to their own profiles on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. To be eligible, each post must include the hashtag #FastestFan. All entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1, 2013 to be considered. After five finalists are selected, fans will cast their votes for the winner on the Goody’s Facebook page. For complete rules and information on how to enter the contest, and to watch the Dale Jr. video, visit the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot Facebook page at facebook.com/GoodysHeadacheReliefShot.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Goody's Headache Relief Shot Fastest Fan Challenge
(Photo: Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY Sports)

Video entries will be judged on their creativity, and of course, speed. The grand prize winner will receive an ultimate NASCAR tailgate weekend hosted by Goody’s and Dale Jr., including: a race weekend RV for him or herself and three friends, travel to and from the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 in Martinsville, Virginia, tickets to the race (including VIP access to the garage and pit areas), $1,000 in spending money, and a personal meeting with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“Working with the Goody’s team to create the fast day-in-my-life video was a lot of fun,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr. “I know our fans are extremely creative. I am looking forward to seeing their videos and to meeting the Fastest Fan at next year’s Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500.”

NASCAR Fan - “Wild” Willie Seeley

NASCAR Fan “Wild” Willie Seeley
(Tony Dokoupil / NBC News)

NASCAR Fan “Wild” Willie Seeley of Manahawkin, New Jersey, has one piece of advice for the winner of last week’s $400 million Powerball pot in South Carolina: Run. “Just disappear,” he said, speaking from hard-won experience. “Get lost while you still can.”

Seeley, one of the Powerball lottery winners known as the "Ocean's 16," regrets how his life has changed since he hit the jackpot.

There are a lot of zeros in this money," said Paula Harper Bethea, executive director of the South Carolina Education Lottery, at a press conference announcing her state’s winner last week. “It’s a life-changing event.

Seeley, one of the Powerball lottery winners
known as the "Ocean's 16," regrets how
his life has changed since he hit the jackpot.
(Eduardo Munoz / Reuters file)

But as Willie’s story makes clear, a life-changing ticket is also a complicated windfall. Willie’s share of the $450 million pot was divided by two other winning tickets, and further divided by 15 coworkers, all of whom bought a ticket through a pool at the county garage where Willie worked as a warehouse manager. After taxes he had less than $4 million to call his own, which, as he put it, “ain’t sh-t in today’s economy.”

Still, it was enough money for Willie and Donna to leave their jobs, Willie saying sayonara to the county, Donna resigning a dangerous nursing post at a psychiatric hospital.

However, Wild Willie lamented, “They put me in the National Enquirer, next to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. I mean I ain’t into all that.”

Not even for money? “Not for anything,” Willie said. “Would you want a camera following you around all day when you finally have the time to go hunting and fishing and do all the things you wanted to do?”

Before all this happened, he and Donna had bills but at least they could be themselves, watching Duck Dynasty, a finger looped over a bottle of Moosehead Lager, friends on the way over. He says he bought a shotgun “for protection” and still can’t act like a rich guy anyway. 

“I get cheap attacks,” he said. “You never heard of a cheap attack? It’s when you look at something you need, and think: Hell, I can’t afford that.”

“I do good deeds every day,” Powerball winner “Wild” Willie Seeley reported, “just like Dale Earnhardt. And just like him I don’t like bragging about it.”