Mercedes-Benz To Honor Jesse Alexander At Pebble Beach Gala

Mercedes-Benz celebrates the accomplishments of renowned motorsports photographer, Jesse Alexander, by honoring him as the “Star Driver” at this year’s Pebble Beach Gala on Friday, August 14, 2009. 

Alexander’s career behind the lens of a camera began in the early 1950s with the birth of the sports car movement in the United States at tracks in Pebble Beach and Palm Springs.  His work is an important part of history, documenting motorsports and its legends like Phil Hill during an era of renegade adventures, dangerous courses, and technological breakthroughs, which many car enthusiasts never experienced.   

As a young man, Alexander followed an intimate group of fearless racecar drivers from the Grand Prix of Europe to the famous Mille Miglia, capturing their heroic wins and narrow defeats.  While in France in July 1954, Alexander was in Reims shooting the French Grand Prix and documenting the debut of the victorious Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling and Hans Herrmann.    

“Jesse’s images remain some of the most memorable in Mercedes-Benz racing heritage and his dedication to documenting motorsports legends in an era that most of us didn’t witness is invaluable,” said Mike Kunz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California.  “It is Mercedes-Benz honor to recognize Jesse’s work and Pebble Beach is the perfect setting along with our celebration of 75th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows.” 

Mercedes-Benz will feature several original Silver Arrow vehicles including the W 25 from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart at its Star Lounge on the 3rd fairway during the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance weekend August 13-16, 2009.

Alexander is the fifth individual to receive the Star Driver designation, joining the ranks of notable icons Sir Stirling Moss, John Fitch, Jochen Mass and Denise McCluggage.  The Star Driver award recognizes individuals who have made great contributions to motorsports and the automobile industry. 

More information on Jesse Alexander can be found at www.jessealexander.com.

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