For more than three decades, Tom duPont has celebrated the finest in automotive excellence through duPont Registry and now Registry Tampa Bay. As Publisher Emeritus, Tom continues to shine a spotlight on Tampa Bay’s thriving collector car community — including one of the area’s most anticipated events: Gasparilla Cars in the Park 2025, presented by Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance.
In this week’s Weekend Wheels Spotlight, Tom sits down with collector and board member Derek Hennecke, who shares what inspired him to join the organization and what continues to drive his passion for cars, community, and craftsmanship.
Tom duPont: The Gasparilla Concours is quite an operation. You joined the board and are helping shape this year’s Cars in the Park. Tell me how you got involved.
Derek Hennecke: It started several years ago when I met Brando and Joanne Pistorius. I saw their passion — not just for cars, but for the local community — and wanted to help bring the kind of high-caliber event we’d seen in other states right here to Tampa Bay. I felt our community could really use something like this. I was honored to join the board and contribute in any way I could.
Tom: You’re right, it’s such a powerful combination — car enthusiasm and charitable giving. Looking back, is there a favorite moment that stands out to you?
Derek: There have been many, but one really stands out. A few years ago, one of my cars crossed the podium. A family had been admiring it, sharing stories about their connection to that marque. They asked if they could drive it across the stage — and watching their excitement lit them up, and it lit me up too. That moment reminded me what this hobby is really about: sharing the joy.
Tom: What do you think keeps the passion for car collecting so strong?
Derek: It’s different for everyone. For me, it’s the history, the mechanics, and the design — how they all come together. Being able to talk about these stories, drive the cars, and literally hold a piece of North American and European history in your hands… that’s something special.
Tom: What excites you most about the future of this organization and Gasparilla Cars in the Park?
Derek: The growth — and the inclusivity. It’s more than a car show; it’s a full community experience. Families come out, kids get inspired, and collectors connect in new ways. I’m excited to see how we continue to build on that and make each year better than the last.
About Gasparilla Cars in the Park 2025
Set in Carrollwood Village Park in Tampa, Gasparilla Cars in the Park is far from your typical car show. Featuring more than 300 rare, classic, and exotic automobiles and motorcycles, the event also includes live music, food trucks, a wine and beer garden, and family-friendly attractions from splash parks to pirate appearances.
This year’s highlights include an exclusive exhibition from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, showcasing three ultra-rare sleeve-valve engine vehicles — including a 1928 Willys-Knight and a 1927 Avion Voisin — along with several stunning pieces from Derek and Marcy Hennecke’s private collection.
Saturday, December 6
Carrollwood Village Park located in Tampa, FL
10 AM–3 PM
Details & registration → gasparillaconcours.com/cars-in-the-park
