The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center & Museum Celebrates Its Grand Opening October 14, 2021; Kathy Ireland co-hosts with Founders Ted and Rae Segerstrom

USA - English

• USA - English

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- After five years of planning and anticipation, the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center (SSEC), which showcases one of the largest and premier Shelby collections in the world, will be hosting its Grand Opening on Thursday, October 14 from 3 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The announcement was made by Ted and Rae Segerstrom, renowned Southern California philanthropists and founders of the museum and event center. World-renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Kathy Ireland will co-host the Grand Opening.

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center is a celebration of legendary race car designer and historical figure Carroll Shelby, who was portrayed by Matt Damon in the critically acclaimed 2019 blockbuster feature film Ford vs. Ferrari. The over 41,000 sf. museum and event center, located at 5 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618, is now home to over 83 Shelby vehicles, neon signs, gas pumps and other collectibles from Mr. and Mrs. Segerstrom's private collection.

"The event center/museum has been a labor of love for both of us," say Mr. and Mrs. Segerstrom, who purchased the industrial building in 2016 and started renovations in 2019. "It has been a dream of ours since 2009 to create a place of celebration, education and preservation of Shelby's, and we are extremely excited to open the doors to the public and share the love and passion we have for Carroll Shelby, his cars, antique neon signs and gas pumps." The couple adds, "We first met Carroll in January 2004. We were fortunate to see Carroll at various events throughout the years and get to know this iconic man. We are thrilled to share our collection with his fans, performance car enthusiasts and younger generations who are yet to learn how Carroll shaped the history of the performance cars and automotive industries."

"We are delighted to have Kathy Ireland co-host this momentous occasion with us. We both share with Kathy a strong passion for bettering the lives of children and eradicating pediatric cancer. It is a joy for us that this special place will help to further this mission," state Rae and Ted Segerstrom.

"We are honored to join Ted and Rae at the Grand Opening of the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center and museum," says Kathy Ireland, who serves as International Youth Chair for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. "Shelby cars bring so many fun and fond memories of childhood. Just can't wait to see these remarkable and rare cars, celebrate with Ted and Rae, and thank them for their powerful commitment to children battling childhood cancer."    

Elegantly displayed among the professionally curated galleries are some of the world's rarest Shelby models including:

• The three lowest production serial number Cobras in history, including #1002 Cobra purchased by Ted and Rae Segerstrom in 2004 which was signed by the legendary race car designer on the nose and driver side door. "From then on, almost every time he saw us he jokingly mentioned that he hurt his back getting down to sign the door," say the couple.
• The rare and the ONLY two 1968½ SHELBY GT500KR CONVERTIBLES, which of the approximately 44 models produced in Meadowlarks Yellow, Shelby made only two in a configuration of a black convertible top, black interior, and 4-speed transmission with air conditioning and they have siblings, too!
• A fully restored 1966 SHELBY GT350 FACTORY DRAG CAR, one of only four factory drag cars produced in 1966.
• The only remaining 1968½ SHELBY GT500KR HERTZ CONVERTIBLE model.
• 1969 SHELBY GT500 in Jade Black -- a rare color on any Shelby, most particularly the 1969 GT500 convertible. This machine, in this color, equipped with the Drag Pack option and manual transmission, is the only such example ever produced.
• 1999 SHELBY SERIES 1 CSX5000. The SSEC's CSX 5000 is the first one of the 5000 series produced. Just 249 of the original run of Series 1's were made. After so many years of basing his cars upon other carmakers' beginnings, Carroll Shelby decided he wanted to conceive and produce a car from scratch.

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center will be open to the public the week of October 18. (See below for days and hours of operation.) The venue will also be available for special and private events including weddings, fundraisers, corporate parties, private gatherings, trade shows, new product releases, classes, lectures, workshops and car shows.

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center furthers Mr. and Mrs. Segerstrom's philanthropic mission with net proceeds supporting the Carroll Shelby Foundation, Shriner's for Children Medical Center – Pasadena and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

The Carroll Shelby Foundation provides medical assistance for those in need, including children, as well as education opportunities for young people. The Foundation has continued to aid children battling deadly diseases, while expanding its reach into the classroom through the Northeast Texas Community College's Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Center.

The Shriner's for Children Medical Center - Pasadena provides comprehensive medical, surgical and rehabilitative care to children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burn scars, cleft lip and palate. The Medical Center patients receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families' ability to pay.

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer through the Sunshine Project, the Foundation's collaborative research initiative. By partnering with doctors and researchers from the country's top institutions, the Sunshine Project is fast-tracking the development of new drugs and therapies that will ultimately lead to the cure of childhood cancers. The NPCF has received a perfect 100% score for financial health and transparency and is recognized as the top-rated cancer charity in the U.S. by Charity Navigator.

Supermodel turned super mogul, designer and humanitarian, Kathy Ireland is Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®). kiWW® is ranked at the 15th position of worldwide brands, according to License! Global magazine, making the conglomerate the highest-ranking woman-owned licensing business in American history. Ms. Ireland is the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of NFL Players Inc., is an Advisory Board Member to Serena Williams Companies, and serves on the Advisory Board of WNBPA. Kathy and kiWW® support many non-profits including: women and children's health, HIV/AIDS, Education, human freedom, life, wars against religious persecution and violence.

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center is designed by the world-renowned architect Ulf Henriksson, owner of the renowned design firm "The Scenic Route," located in Pacoima, CA, and built by contractor Tim Miller, owner of the Miller Development Company, Huntington Beach, CA.

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center Grand Opening celebration is produced by world-renowned event planner Rena Puebla of Costa Mesa-based Coast Concierge Service, Inc.    

For more information on the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center, please visit http://www.segerstromshelbyeventcenter.com

Segerstrom Shelby Event Center Hours of Operation:

• Thursday………...10am-4pm
• Friday……………10am-4pm
• Saturday………....10am-4pm
• Sunday………….. 10am-4pm

Docent Led Tours

• Thursday………...Noon, 2pm
• Friday……….…....Noon, 2pm
• Saturday………....Noon, 2pm
• Sunday………….…Noon, 2pm

School Tour Days (Scheduled Tours)

• Monday…………8am-12pm
• Tuesday………..8am-12pm
• Wednesday.…..8am-12pm
• Thursday..……..8am-12pm

Holiday Hours

• Easter Sunday………...Closed
• Memorial Day………….10am-4pm
• July 4…………………..…Closed
• Labor Day…………….…10am-4pm
• Thanksgiving Eve...….Close at 3pm
• Thanksgiving...………..Closed
• Christmas Eve…....…..Closed
• Christmas…....………...Closed
• New Year's Eve...……..Close at 3pm
• New Year's Day...……..Closed

Admission:

• General $15
• Senior/Military $10
• Children $5
• Five and Under Free

Media Contact

Rona Menashe, Guttman Associates, +1 (310)246-4600, [email protected]

Victoria Collins, Guttman Associates, (310)246-4600, [email protected]

SOURCE Segerstrom Shelby Event Center

Related Links

http://www.segerstromshelbyeventcenter.com/