Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

Thousands of classic and supercars, which this year would have been appearing at concours events around the globe but are instead languishing in garages, now have the chance of taking part in an online concours that could raise thousands of pounds for Unicef. Concours Virtual will be run across social media and the website www.concoursvirtual.com​ to give owners the chance of taking part in a global event and to allow enthusiasts around the world to see some of the best cars ever made.

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

The cars will be judged by a group of motoring experts and celebrities and starts on June 30 and runs until August 9. It has already attracted dozens of vehicles and a unique group of expert judges, from Wayne Carini, the TV star of the Discovery Channel’s ‘Chasing Classic Cars’, to classic car collector and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, and Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival founder, the Duke of Richmond.

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

Nick Mason said, “Given the present circumstances, a virtual concours is far superior to no event at all! But perhaps best of all, it’s an opportunity to raise much needed funds for that most worthy of organisations – Unicef.”

The Duke of Richmond said, “I am delighted to be involved in the Concours Virtual. It’s a difficult time for events in the classic car world and this is a creative response and at the same time supports the great work of Unicef.”

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK
Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars

Wayne Carini said: “In the midst of the global pandemic, with most car events postponed or cancelled for the year, it will be great to get together and share our passion for the automobile at a virtual concours, while raising money for a wonderful charity. Unicef has been helping children around the world since 1946 and during this worldwide pandemic they need our help more than ever.”

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK



The concours has 17 classes, ranging from Cars of the Art Deco period to Concept Cars of the 1970s, and 70 years of Formula 1. There will also be a special tribute class to the late Sir Stirling Moss. The classes will be judged by more than 40 judges from the world of classic and supercars, who will ultimately choose the Best in Show. Collectors who are interested in submitting their car for the Concours should visit the website www.concoursvirtual.com​ and register their interest.

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

The general public will also be able to vote for their favourite concours cars in each class as well as for their overall favourite for the People’s Choice Award.

The GPBox Vintage Car Memorabilia Collection

Concours Virtual is organised by Hothouse Media, publishers of the global quarterly classic car magazine Magneto and the annual Concours Yearbook. Geoff Love, Managing Director of Hothouse Media, said, “There are thousands of frustrated classic and supercar owners around the world who would have been attending events this year but due to the pandemic have been unable to do so. We wanted to change this and provide an opportunity for them to show their cars, for the public to see them, and at the same time provide money for a worthwhile charity.”

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

Concours Virtual entrants and visitors will be asked to donate to Unicef, and each class is sponsored by leading companies involved in the classic car world. The presenting sponsor is Hagerty, the world’s leading classic car insurer.



Hagerty CEO, McKeel Hagerty, said: “The love of the automobile endures! Through pandemics, wars, recessions and uncertainty, people who love cars will carry on. The Concours Virtual is a celebration of that spirit.”

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

The final date for car entries is June 15, and the concours will run from June 30 until August 9, when the Best of Show awards will be announced. Concours Virtual donations to Unicef can be made via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/concoursvirtual​, with the aim of raising £100,000 for the charity. Funds will come into the UK office for global distribution.

Concours Virtual to raise funds for UNICEF UK

“This pandemic is the biggest and most urgent global crisis children have faced since World War Two,” said Unicef UK’s Executive Director Sacha Deshmukh. “Children’s lives are being upended across the globe – their support systems ripped away, their borders closed, their educations lost, their food supply cut off. Even in the UK, children face the threat of a measles outbreak and school closures are putting vulnerable children at increased risk.”

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