Here at CCA, we’re always delighted to see other groups organizing classic car events, especially when they are Spring Thaw Alumni! Bruce and Chris from CECC hosted a one-day rally near Vancouver last month. Lee, take it away…

Event Story & Photos by Lee McKinnon Pederson, Additional photo by Bruce Larson.

Organized by the Classic European Car Club, the Rallye Du Chilliwack was held on Saturday, September 18th. Although the drive into the Fraser Valley was a soggy one- a deterrent for at least a few potential participants- by the time the teams completed their odometer calibration, the skies cleared and the sun came out.

Each team was given identical maps with eight photo check points. The goal was to locate each checkpoint based on the map and photos, and take a verification photo in the approximate location. Starting in Chilliwack, and passing though Kent, Harrison Hot Springs, Mission, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, before ending in Langley, the team covering all the checkpoints in the shortest distance was the winner.

Each team spent a few minutes plotting what they hoped was an optimal route before hitting the road. By the time the teams reached Killby Historic Farms, a kind of mid-way point on the rally, the sun was out in full force reminding everyone that summer still had a few more days to go.

Homemade egg salad sandwiches and lemonade fortified the teams for an afternoon of driving that took the group through the backroads of Maple Ridge and then on to Abbotsford. The twisty roads around the Clayburn village were an unexpected pleasure. A Lancia Beta Scorpion in front of the old Clayburn store offered an bit of surprise automotive colour!

All cars were running well until a few meters past the final checkpoint, when Julius and Ben pulled over to the side of the road with an ailing Fiat. Four other teams pulled over to try to figure out the source of the problem. The fuel system was quickly identified as the offending party. Fuel lines were tested, fuel senders were examined and fuel filters were flushed without results. The culprit turned out to be an ancient (possibly original?) “second” fuel filter lurking near the driver’s side fender. Once resolved,the Fiat took the time penalty and went on its way. Everyone agreed that car repair on the side of a country road on a warm September afternoon was about as good as it get’s breakdown-wise.

A road-weary but happy crowd gathered at the Langley Brown’s for a bite to eat before heading home. Many thanks to Bruce and Chris for putting on this enjoyable and well organized event.