Category Archives: Spring Thaw Adventure

2017 Hagerty Spring Thaw – Registration Info!

Wahoo! The 2017 Hagerty Spring Thaw supp-regs document has been uploaded! Inside you’ll find all the information you need for the 2017 Hagerty Spring Thaw, which will be held from May 5th to 7th 2017. Head to the event information page to download the 2017 documents.

As per previous years, applications are accepted via mail, courier and in-person at the CCA Squamish office. A number of spots have been reserved for guests using mail or courier to submit their application.

The Hagerty Spring Thaw sells out every year, so we definitely encourage applying early. So far, in eight years, we’ve almost managed to get every guest on the waiting list an open space…so don’t be scared to enter if you see things filling up. It’s never surprising to hear a restoration isn’t going as quickly as planned, and a space subsequently becomes available.

2016 Hagerty Spring Thaw – Day Three

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

[print_gllr id=3629]

2016 Hagerty Spring Thaw – Day Two

With but a few hours sleep, the alarm was going off to begin day two of the Hagerty Spring Thaw. Problem though, was it the correct alarm or the other alarm? The event, you see, had traveled from the Pacific time zone into the Mountain Time zone, but just for the night. The route book explained the event would run on Pacific time, and to simply ignore the local time. It all seemed so reasonable and simple before an early wake up!

The CCA entrants, though, are a hearty bunch. I think a few people had an extra hour to polish their cars in the morning (some were suspiciously clean), only one driver’s meeting was needed (8:45am Pacific time) and all were in attendance. That in itself might be impressive considering the time issues, but even the Mini crew who swapped out a head gasket after dinner were all accounted for. Every car that started the event, was there at the driver’s meeting.

Today brought sunshine, some cloudy periods and a touch of rain if you were at the tail end of the group. The weather in the mountains can be rather unpredictable, and while some of us were enjoying finishing beers in the sun at the hotel, a mere 36km away other entrants were experiencing a deluge of water. As the organizer, who was conveniently at the finish point sun by this point, I could claim today was a sunny and rain free day of motoring. Unfortunately our amazing photographer Andrew Snucins was standing in that deluge of rain getting his final photos for the day!

The route brought us east of Cranbrook for a series of figure eights and loops roads never before touched by a CCA event. Whether it was the gentle sweeping highways favouring the touring cars, or the very narrow twisty back roads for the sports cars…there was something for everyone. The entire first half of the day was played to a backdrop of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and then we ventured over the Kootenay Pass to settle into Nelson for the night.

At dinner we welcomed in the newest members to the “Five Year Club”, celebrating those who have attended five years of Hagerty Spring Thaw events. We followed up with the generous prizes and gifts donated by sponsors, and amazingly sent every car home with a prize from the mountain of gifts we had.

Tomorrow promises more good weather as we head back East towards our finish.

Teaser pics from today courtesy of Andrew Snucins Photography.

[print_gllr id=3588]

2015 Hagerty Spring Thaw Day Three Photos

Day three of the Hagerty Spring Thaw finally brought the full sunshine! Our run from Kamloops to Whistler was with tops down and windows open, and for many of us the most fun we’ve ever had. Typically on a Hagerty Spring Thaw cars shift out into groups of 3’s and 5’s, and run together at similar paces. A sunny stop just before the Duffy Lake road saw a number of cars bunched up into large groups of 12’s and 15’s. As fate would have it, the paces matched and we travelled towards Whistler in large groups. The air at the finish was one of excitement and joy, with many people commenting on how it was the most fun they’d ever had. Wonderful photos by Andrew and Samantha Snucins are below:

[print_gllr id=2651]

2015 Hagerty Spring Thaw, Day Two

Day two of the 2015 Spring Thaw saw much better weather than day one! We started with a little bit of light rain, but it was tops down and only the occasionally misting for most cars during the day. This year seems to be the year of the fuel pump, with many cars now sporting replacement pumps ziptied, hose-clamped and/or tied down in the engine bay. While a breakdown isn’t desirable, it’s awesome to come around a corner and see a whole crowd of folks lending parts, tools and knowledge to ensure their fellow entrants will make it to the finish. A taste of Andrew Snucin’s awesome photography below.

[print_gllr id=2625]

Hagerty Spring Thaw Day One Photos

Day one of the 2015 Hagerty Spring Thaw saw quite the weather changes. As some groups mentioned, we got all four seasons plus two or three you probably didn’t know about. Fortunately the entrants seem to be a hardy bunch, and it was nothing but smiles and laughter everywhere we stopped. Check out Andrew Snucins‘ photographs below.

[print_gllr id=2589]

 

2015 Hagerty Spring Thaw Entry Forms!

Ball drops, champaign and a list of resolutions…who cares!?! The best part of every New Year is the opening of entries for the Hagerty Spring Thaw Classic Car Adventure! We might be a little bit biased, but the crowd of folks who drive up to our office each year suggests we aren’t the only ones thinking the same thing.

Before we release you to the entry forms, you might be interested to hear we’ve been hard at work all Fall planning the Hagerty Spring Thaw. This year’s version will combine many of your favourite things, along with a few new changes which are sure to excite you. “Changes,” you say, “you can’t change it!?!”  Well, lets not panic too early! We’re not tossing out the carburetors for fuel-injection, or opening the entry list to 1990 Cavaliers. But we are, for starters, changing our sweep team. Our regular guests on the Hagerty Spring Thaw are all familiar with Nigel and Yoki, who have for years followed our event ensuring each and everyone of our guests has made it to hotel in the evening. Nigel is one of the most passionate classic car enthusiasts we know of, but he’s only ever experienced the Hagerty Spring Thaw from the very back of the pack. Wouldn’t it be great to have him running ‘in the pack’ with the rest of us?

Fortunately some great friends have also wanted to give Nigel and Yoki a chance to experience more of the Spring Thaw for themselves. Robert and Jacyln, from RWM & Co. had so much fun joining us as sweep at the Fall Freeze, they asked if they could do the same for the Hagerty Spring Thaw. We couldn’t be more delighted! Robert has done more than a few road-side repairs for guests in previous Spring Thaws, and having a classic car restoration specialist at the back of the event is never a bad thing! Hagerty Collector Car Insurance will continue to offer the roadside assistance package should a breakdown be terminal, but RWM & Co. will be offering their assistance to help you repair your car and avoid the dreaded flat-deck. If you’re at all concerned about the need for our sweep protection, it might be wise to book your car in with RWM & Co. for a pre-Thaw inspection?  For more info about the shop, and photos of current projects, visit their facebook page here.

Hopefully you’ll agree with us that our “big changes” for 2015 are a great idea, and will only change the event for the better. We’ve been very careful to stick to our recipe of Great Roads, Great Cars and Great People. Speaking of which, we should mention Dave Koszegi and Mid-Island Realty. Dave Koszegi (Dave K) is always the first person to approach us about supporting the Spring Thaw each year. As we sit writing this, it seems to us that it was at registration for the 2014 event that Dave K smiled his traditional huge smile and confirmed “we’re doing this again next year, right?!” Mid-Island Realty loads up our prize table each year like it’s a Christmas Tree for the whole event, helps to fill your schwag bag with items you really want to keep and use, and (most importantly) reminds us often how excited everyone is for another year of adventures. Whether you’re looking for a home on the island, or elsewhere, it would be wise to call up Dave Koszegi. Mention you’re a participant of the Hagerty Spring Thaw and he’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.

But wait! We’re not done yet. We have one more change we think you’re going to like, especially if you live in Seattle or Portland.

For the past few years it’s been quite popular for Vancouver-area entrants to drive their entry form up to the Classic Car Adventures office in Squamish. So popular, in fact, that we’ve had to implement a new rule where you are only allowed to drop off your personal entry, and one other. This rule was put in place to allow our friends south of the border time for their couriered entries to arrive. New for 2015 we’re also going to have a drop-off option in Seattle, and one in Portland! The time frame for each drop off is a little truncated, but if you’re able to meet-up with Warwick at either location it will save the stress of tracking your entry form via Fed-Ex! Warwick will be waiting for you at the following times and locations:

Friday, Jan 2nd
3:00pm to 4:00pm
Starbucks Coffee, Capitol Hill
1600 East Olive Way
Seattle, WA
98102

Saturday, Jan 3rd
12:00 noon to 1:00pm
Trackside Motorsports
8131 N Interstate Ave
Portland, OR
97217

…and finally, HERE are the 2015 Hagerty Spring Thaw Entry Forms!