HOMMAGE TO F1: The three “Best of Show” winners of the Show and Shine Competition will be directed to the front of the main tent to be displayed in a celebrations circle when announcing the winners. In an hommage to Formula 1 podium celebrations, it was decided that the Best of Show winners in addition to a trophy, will also win a custom etched, sealed Ace of Spades bottle in celebration of their win valued at over $400.00 each.

SPONSORED BY: The use of custom etched Ace of Spades bottles as trophies was first used by Canadian BMW club BMWTrueNorth in 2021, and continues to be used at Bimmerfest Canada. The bottles are sponsored by BMWTrueNorth.

HISTORY OF THE TRADITION: The connection of the Grand Prix with champagne itself dates back to 1950, when the first-ever French Grand Prix was held at the Gueux circuit in Reims. Obviously, for a race held down in the green, vineyard-heavy hills of the Champagne region, the winner was presented with a bottle on his win.

However, as for the victor spraying the crowd with the beverage, you have to fast-forward over a decade. As with many great traditions, it happened for the first time by complete accident.

Upon winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, Jo Siffert accidentally sprayed the crowd as the bottle of champagne had been sitting out in the sun, causing pressure to build up inside the magnum. The next year, Californian racer Dan Gurney deliberately copied Siffert’s gesture when he won the same race and the tradition was born.