Page 6 - Experience Magazine Summer 2023

THE ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Las Vegas holds a special place in
the hearts of many a die-hard car
guy – including me. Well before
Barrett-Jackson held its inaugural
auction in the city in 2008, I
remember going there in the ’60s
with my parents to watch my
brother Brian, who raced at the
Stardust International Raceway
when he ran SCCA with Phil Hill
and Jim Hall, with the Chaparrals.
I was there in the fall of 1968
for the Can-Am finale when Hall
was in a wreck and his Chaparral
broke in two. I was just a kid, but
I remember it clearly; I even had a
piece of the broken Chaparral in
my room for a long time.
Craig Jackson’s
VIEW
FROM THE
BLOCK
With Craig at the helm, the
Barrett-Jackson Auction
Company is celebrating over 50
successful years in the collector
car hobby. He is an avid car
collector, award-winning restorer
and racing enthusiast.
6 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE
Its racing history aside, Las performance by multi-platinum
Vegas is of course known as The country star Clay Walker in 2013
Entertainment Capital of the World, will always be among my favorites.
and it’s no wonder why. The city Of course, it wouldn’t be Las
is home to world-famous casinos, Vegas without some local legends
luxurious resorts and some of the in attendance. Over the years
biggest names in entertainment. these have included Siegfried
Our team is always looking forward and Roy, Corey Harrison, Austin
to bringing the action of Barrett- “ChumLee” Russel of “Pawn
Jackson to Las Vegas, because that Stars” and magician Penn Jillette.
entertainment culture provides the Wayne Newton, known as “Mr. Las
perfect backdrop for this exciting Vegas,” participated in the charity
event. We are proud that many top- sale of a 2015 Dodge Challenger
name entertainers have joined us for SRT Hellcat and sold a trio of his
our Las Vegas Auction over the years personal collector cars at the 2021
– many of whom brought their Las Vegas Auction.
prized vehicles along with them.
This year marks 15 years of Barrett- Aerosmith band members stopped
by the auction in 2019 when
Jackson in Las Vegas. The first event they had a residency in the city.
in 2008 saw Carroll Shelby’s first Additional notable entertainers
road race car, a 1949 MG TC, as the checking out the action have
top-selling vehicle – but the 2010 included Mike Tyson, racing great
Las Vegas Auction is a particularly Richard Petty and Linda Vaughn,
special and memorable one for me. best known as “Miss Hurst Golden
The auction featured eight unique Shifter.” Other familiar faces at
cars from the estate of Danny Gans, a the auction have included British
Vegas headliner and philanthropist. entertainment writer Robin Leach,
I met my wife, Carolyn, through the as well as Jeff Allen and Meg Bailey
sale of those vehicles. from TV’s “Car Chasers.” We had a
The Las Vegas Auction has hosted lot of fun last year with comedian
many other well-known names, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who sold
including Carroll Shelby, Funkmaster his 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT
Flex, Jay Leno, Don Prudhomme, Demon and a 2015 Chevrolet
John Schneider, Bruce Willis, Don
Camaro Trans Am Bandit Edition
Johnson, Sylvester Stallone, Josh at the event.
Duhamel, Tom Arnold, comedian
With such a range of exciting cars
Rich Little, legendary MMA and special guests, the Las Vegas
Champion Randy Couture and
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell. Auction is always one of the most
memorable in my book – made
Magician Criss Angel, a longtime Las even more special by the city’s
Vegas headliner, sold seven vehicles
reputation for entertainment.
from his collection at our 2011 event.
Not only have renowned I look forward to seeing everyone
on and off the auction block in Las
entertainers participated in buying Vegas this year. Cheers!
and selling, but on occasion they
have even performed for us at — CRAIG JACKSON
the Opening Night Party. The
SUMMER 2023