Following a frosty night in Nelson, we met for our third Driver’s meeting in basked in warmth and sunshine. Day three promised to be a fantastic day of driving as the group trekked from Nelson over to Osoyoos for our finish.

Despite being our shortest day of driving, it was not without challenges. The route book joked about the entire route being uphill, and soon the group found themselves climbing yet again. The first casualty was Geoff’s MG, it’s coolant departing the radiator in a steamy cloud. Not ones to leave a fellow motorist stranded, each passing car stopped to hand over whatever water they had on board. “Sorry, we only have Vitamin Water,” one car apologized. “No problem, the MG will take anything!” and so the radiator was filled with whatever watery-like substance would get them home.

Next up was a Caterham Seven, it’s hayabusa engine leaning out dangerously on the climbs. The RWM&Co sweep team arrived, worked out the intake leak problem and issued a temporary fix which was likely to get the car home.

And so the day continued, sweep stopping every once and a while to help with a repair or two…completely expected when one takes 80+ classic cars and asks them to drive for so many kilometres.

All of our entrants who aimed for the finish made it under their own power. Of the cars which turned back early for home, all but one avoided the dreaded tow truck ride home. And for our unlucky flat-deck gents, it was less a ‘need’ for a tow truck and more the convenience of one showing up at the right time! For the first time in Hagerty Spring Thaw history, the “Hard Luck Award” (given to the team which breaks down permanently) was placed back in the box to be used next year. Simply amazing!

For everyone, whether stopping to repair or simply enjoying the drive, the day was filled with incredible scenery and spectacular weather. We wound our way through Rossland and Trail, the historic town of Greenwood and eventually dropped through the switchbacks down into Osoyoos.

Our finish this year was at the Osoyoos golf club, where they rolled out the preverbal red carpet to host our group. In this case, the red carpet was replaced with orange golf shirts, worn by the many hosts who directed the group into reserved parking spaces. The course hosted a parking lot party, followed by a finisher’s lunch in the course restaurant. The only downside to the day? We had to say goodbye to our entrants and friends for another year…

Photo’s courtesy of Andrew Snucins Photography

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