Monterey Car Week stands as the ultimate mecca for automotive enthusiasts worldwide, but few events capture its spirit quite like The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. One of the co-founders of this iconic event is Monterey native Gordon McCall, whose life was profoundly shaped by the roar of engines at the nearby Laguna Seca raceway. From sneaking into the track as a kid to sweeping floors at a local Ferrari dealership for his first job, his journey from a young enthusiast to now serving as the director of motorsports at The Quail is an amazing one.
On this episode of the “Only The Strong Survive” podcast, host Dan Kahn sits down with Gordon to trace the event’s history back to its inception. Listeners get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the vision required to build and sustain one of the most prestigious automotive events on the planet. Whether you are a die-hard gearhead or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation offers deep insights into turning childhood dreams into an international phenomenon.
Click on the icon above to listen to the entire episode, and here are our top five takeaways:
Find your own niche.
A respectful approach is better than an exclusionary one.
Think long-term and avoid a transactional approach to events.
Collaborating is better than competing.
Don’t wait to pursue your dreams.
Make Something Different
The Pebble Beach Concours is the flagship event that started Monterey Car Week and has long been its cornerstone. When Gordon first envisioned The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, he didn’t want to copy or compete against it. Focusing on carving out its own niche and making The Quail about more than just cars has been one of the keys to its great success.
“I saw something entirely different. I always wanted the cars to be important in their own way. But the fact that we don’t have judges is completely out of respect for Pebble and what it represents,” said Gordon. “If you don’t want to worry about opening your hood, if you want your car accepted on the front end, and you want to come and just have a great time and meet some amazing people, come to The Quail.”
Respect Everyone
Some concours events can be very rigid and stuffy, only accepting certain types of vehicles and looking down on others. While The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering still has very high standards, Gordon wanted to move away from that vibe. For him, it is more about respecting others and sharing their automotive enthusiasm regardless of what they drive or their net worth.
“It comes down to respecting everyone. It is not hard to do, it really isn’t. Everyone has a different reason for what it is that they do, but I think there is a real level ground,” said Gordon. “That is what is so neat about events like The Quail. You get everyone together, and the common denominator isn’t net income or worth. That is there of course, but really it is enthusiasm that is the biggest common denominator.”
Look Past the Cash Register
Flagship events like The Quail can be serious investments for brands. That fact can lead brands to view major events as more transactional, where their presence must generate immediate revenue. However, for Gordon, taking a longer-term outlook on events is a much better approach.
“The idea of looking past the cash register ringing that day, that is something I know is a bit of an intangible,” said Gordon. “The conversations that companies have during the day might not ultimately sell a car that day, but the business will come their way because of those conversations. That is a tough thing to wrangle, but it is real.”
Constantly Collaborate
One of the elements that has kept The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering a success over two decades is constant collaboration. Instead of viewing brands as potential competitors, Gordon has sought ways to collaborate with them. Working together with brands can be a powerful multiplier that also helps to form new relationships.
“I am a huge fan of the idea and the concept behind helping to make each other shine, and it is really collaborations that do just that,” said Gordon. “Being a catalyst is definitely something that I find really satisfying. If there are certain people who need to know other people and it is win-win stuff, I love doing that. The Quail is like that. I look at the relationships that come out of The Quail, and it is remarkable.”
Jump In
For those looking to follow their passion and turn it into a career, Gordon’s advice is simple: don’t wait and pursue your dreams now. Sitting back and waiting doesn’t do anything but burn time.
“The water isn’t warmer if you jump in later. Find your passion and don’t hesitate. Jump in. Just jump in and just do it,” said Gordon. “If you got an interest in something, pursue it. Find other people who have done what you want to do and ask them to mentor you along the way. But go for it, don’t sit back.”
