Category Archives: Events

Rally du Chilliwack Recap

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.

Sea to Sky Classic Run – October 11, 2010

2010 Poster - click for larger version

It’s that time of year again! Winter is closing in and for many that means the days of driving their classic car are numbered. But don’t pull the cover over your baby too soon, because the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Sea to Sky Run is back!  Once again, this is a quick, local, and fun meetup to “give thanks” for another fine season of motoring.

What: A casual cruise and meetup with fellow classic car owners of all pre-’79 marques and types. Drive the best part of the Sea-to-Sky Highway on a quiet holiday morning, and enjoy the company of classic car nuts before you have to head off to the in-laws for thanksgiving dinner! We have planned it so that you can be back home by midday. Some of you might have done a Sea to Sky run recently with your various car clubs, but its always fun to mix all the marques together and meet new people. And really, who can say no to the beautiful views and winding turns past ocean and mountains – especially on a holiday!

This year’s event will benefit Sea to Sky Food Banks. Please bring a non-perishable boxed or canned food donation (canned fruit, veggies, tuna, etc.).

When: Thanksgiving Monday, October 11, 9:00-11:00am. (SEE BELOW for convoy meetup times)

Where: Galileo Coffee, 173 Highway 99, Britannia Beach, BC

West Vancouver Gathering Location: If you’d like to convoy with others up to Britannia Beach, we will be gathering at the Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver on the UPPER PARKING LEVEL on the SOUTH side (See image for location). The group will be LEAVING this spot at 8:30am.

Green marks the spot. UPPER LEVEL SOUTH. Click for Larger Version.

Squamish Gathering Location: For those coming from Whistler and Squamish who want to meet the others in West Vancouver first and make a drive of it, we will depart the Squamish McDonald’s parking lot at 7:20am. Otherwise, just plan to be at Galileo at 9:00ish!

Are you coming? Got any questions? Join in the discussion about this event on the forum!

A look at last year’s event…

Squamish Rumble to the Rock 2010

Morning rain didn’t discourage classic cars owners from gathering on Cleveland Avenue in Squamish for the annual Rumble to the Rock event on Sunday, September 19th. Held in conjunction with Trev Deeley’s Motorcycle ride for charity, the Squamish Classics club closes down the main downtown street for their annual show & shine. Predominantly American iron and hotrods, there is always an eclectic mix of trailer queens, rust buckets, daily drivers, and nicely patinated early-century vehicles. Here’s a few snapshots from this year’s event.

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This past weekend also played host to the 2010 Whistler All-British Run and the inaugural Rally du Chilliwack. If anyone has stories and photos from those events, let us know!

Fall Freeze…Frozen for 2010

The much anticipated Fall Freeze is, regrettably, frozen for 2010. While the Classic Car Adventure’s offices have been a-buzz with planning, route ideas and excitement…it’s just not feasible for the 2010 season. Why, you might ask? Well, unfortunately Dave Hord is undergoing the surgeon’s knife about 4 months sooner then expected. “It’s true,” says Dave, “a four-year old mountain bike injury has managed to cancel the Fall Freeze for 2010. It’s an old shoulder injury, one I’ve mostly ignored, but I’m at the point where even changing an oil filter hurts…so it’s time to visit the repair shop!”

There is good news, however. Two new events in B.C. are happening this fall, and both should be of interest to classic car enthusiasts. September 18th is the Rally du Chilliwack, and October 1st-3rd brings the Jellybean Autocrafter’s Fall Colors Tour. If you were waiting to hear about the Fall Freeze, you should definitely consider either of these two events! We’re really excited to see more events starting up that are designed for drivers. Additional chances to get out and use our classics can only be a good thing 🙂

Despite the surgery speed-bump, we won’t be resting here at the Classic Car Adventures’ office. Dave’s not allowed to wrench on his Volkswagen during the recovery, but he’s been given full clearance for planning the Spring Thaw. 2010 was a great year, but with six months recovery we’re pretty sure 2011 is going to be even better!

Jellybean Autocrafters Fall Colors Tour

Another new must-try event has been announced for the 2010 season. Inspired by the Spring Thaw, Jellybean Autocrafters will be hosting their Fall Colors tour October 1st-3rd. The event is 3 days and will take you on an 1100 kilometer journey, highlighting some of British Columbia’s nicest roads. Your hosts are Ewald and Kurt Penner, owners of Jellybean. The entry fee includes two nights hotel, gala dinner and a lunch…but the best part of this event doesn’t end with planning. The real gem is going to be the participants.

If you’re a regular here at Classic Car Adventures, you’re probably someone who appreciates more then just one marque or era. Jellybean shares that attitude, and are open to a wide variety of entrants. If you’ve got a classic, vintage, hot rod or car of interest, you’re in! Vehicles earlier then 1979 are the primary interest, but they’re also accepting limited entries from 1980 to 1986. If you’re into driving, this Fall event is definitely one to check out! See the Jellybean website for more details.

Rallye du Chilliwack – September 18

We hope everyone has been having a fun-filled summer with their classic cars. Things have been quiet here on the website, as we enjoy the sun and car events, but as the summer months count down, talk has returned to what driving events are coming up.

A couple of Spring Thaw participants from The Classic European Car Club of BC (CECC) are hosting a 1950’s style competitive road rally in and around the backroads of Chilliwack on Saturday, Sept. 18th, 2010.

The Rallye du Chilliwack will test the navigation, driving, and observation skills of teams entered as well as their vehicles. It is open to owners of any European car from the 60s, 70s, and 80s which will be placed in one of four CECC classes. Navigators are strongly recommended, but expections can be made.

In brief, each team (driver and navigator in an automobile) will be given a map with only a rough idea of certain check points. The teams are to locate the checkpoints, photograph themselves at the check points, and then meet at a final destination without being late. The team that navigates the best route (shortest miles) wins the rallye.

There will be a nominal cost ($10-$15/team to cover event stickers/maps) and certain requirements (older European car, valid drivers lisence & auto insurance, working odometer, and digital camera).

You can find more info at their website: http://www.classiceuropeancarclub.com/events-chilliwack-a3.htm

Feel free to discuss this on our forum as well.

Classic Rag Run takes to backroads of Mission

Fifteen cars turned out for the first CCA Rag Run in Mission, BC on Sunday morning. Some new faces and cars joined a cast of “regulars” and after an hour-long drive through the backroads of Mission and Stave Lake, we arrived back at the Mission Springs Brewery restaurant. The group descended upon the buffet and scoured the two stacks of used car magazines that everyone had brought to share. Thanks to everyone who came out, even on a surprisingly grey overcast morning (summer, thou art a tease)! The Food Bank will also be receiving a much-needed overflowing box of food thanks to every one showed up. A great way to spend a Sunday morning!

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