For car enthusiasts there was only one place to be on Sunday September 25th as the 3rd Annual Gold Coast Concours/Bimmerstock event, presented by Martino Auto Concepts/MAC Auto Couture of Glen Cove, NY, set motor mavens afire. More than 600 exotics and fine European and custom vehicles from the world’s most desired marquees were on display along with dozens of vendors showing off an array of auto accessories.

Thousands of spectators lined downtown Glen Cove to admire classic racers and handmade super-exotics most only dream of owning. By attending, these car crazy afficianados also helped support the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). When the day was done, the event had raised a record $57,000 for the Institute and its research efforts.

While the day showcased Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Porsches, Mercedes and customized BMW’s, in addition to several very limited edition cars such as an Enzo Ferrari and several Ferrari Challenge racers, cars weren’t the sole attraction. The day featured great food, live music from the talented young musicians from School of Rock and a number of fabulous sweepstake prizes that were raffled off. Among the most desirable prizes were two luxury suites and dinner for four at the famous Oheka Castle and Resort, a BMW designed BMW Bicycle, premium Sony Mobile Stereo components and the exciting “Taste of the Track” race day donated by upstate NY’s Monticello Motor Club.

“From a single conversation, this event has grown into one of the largest automobile shows in the area. This event attracts car enthusiasts and vendors from around the country and with our Diabetes Research Institute relationship we know that everything we do helps fund the effort to find a cure,” said Joe LaPadula of Martino Auto Concepts, the organizer of the event.

The program began with Dara Kriss-Melnick speaking about her battle with type 1 diabetes and letting the crowd know how thankful she was to the event’s organizers and attendees. The day continued with her introduction of Bob Pearlman, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation President and CEO who made special note of Joe LaPadula and his Martino Auto Concepts partner Derek Pasch, the creators of the event and its primary organizers since its inception. He also went onto thank DRIF board members Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and Bruce Waller for all of their help organizing the event.

Later in the afternoon, Anthony E. Childs, DRIF LI Region Director presented a certificate of appreciation to Mayor Ralph Suozzi for all the support he, the City of Glen Cove and its officials did to support the event.

Participating with Martino Auto Concepts/MAC Auto Couture as event sponsors were A1 Towing, ADV 1, BMW of Bayside, D2Forged, Downtown Café, Ferrari/Maserati of Long Island, Commercial Concrete, Competition Automotive Group, DONZ, DuPont Registry, Gabrielli Truck Sales, Fesco Distributers, Gold Coast Mansions, Leone Homes, Lomotion, Luxury4Play.com, 3M Corp, Meguiars, Monticello Motor Club, PPG Industries, HRE, OE Tuning, Monster Energy, Oheka Castle, Prime Huntington, Rallye Auto Group, RENNEN, Single Source, SONY, TeamSpeed, Total Fire Protection and Universal Autosports.