Not much warning, but highly recommended: Targa Calif 2009

[ventura ace]

Targa California 2009 (March 26-28)

Sorry for the short warning, but I just found out about this:
Last year, Maureen and I had a blast joining about 115 other vintage pre-1976 cars for a 3-day, 1000 mile tour: The No Frills Iron Butt Tour. Absolutely superb!! Hour after hour of winding mountain, river valley, and coastal roads in some of the most picturesque scenery of Southern and Central California. The spring flowers were out, the birds, and uh, yes, the bugs! The 2 evenings were spent in Paso Robles, with a mini car show of all the participants around the Bar Car! Sunday morning included a classy catered breakfast at the California Mission at Hunter Legget Army base.

Unfortunately, the disorganizers of the event chose not to continue the tradition, due to some overly rowdy driving behaviour of some of the participants (one who left the road and went through a barb wire fence).

Another set of disorganizers have put together this year's event, for the purpose of continuing this great Tour. Check out their web site at http://www.targacalifornia.com/. I will be making plans to attend some, if not all, of this years event, and would like to invite anyone that can make it to join us.

Sorry but the one key prerequisite is that your vehicle be age 1975 or earlier -- so time for some of you '82's to put some early bumpers on your cars!

Hope to see you there -- call me if you have questions. 805-338-1767. I can tell you about last year's event, and would assume that this year will be similar. One difference I see is the start is Moorpark, California rather than the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, but what difference should that make if you are driving 300+ miles per day.

Alvon

[ventura ace]

I just received a reply from the disorganizer that answered some of my questions about the event:

We start in moorpark thursday am, then thru various twisties , where we end up in taft for lunch. Afterwards back to more twisties for paso robles first night 260 miles. Friday is a long day with back roads and the coast all the way to carmel, then back down thru twisties to king city, then back to paso about 340 miles. Saturday about 60 miles before breakfast where the tour ends

we have over 75 cars already registered and welcome more, but they do need to register so we can print enough instructions. Several of our nor cal participants are joining us thursday night at the black oak (which is sold out, but their neighbor adelaide inn is also owned by them and is open for us)
Wed nite the 25th , we have a prelim get together at World ClassMotoring Accessories in agoura. If interested let me know and i will send u the info

Sounds like they are expecting a good turnout!

Alvon

[SpiderHead]

I just looked over the website Ace! This looks like fun!

Count me in! I'll just have to step up my moving efforts early.. hehehe.

I am going to be cheap, and camp instead of staying in a hotel. There is a camp ground about 5 miles from the main hotel in Paso Robles.

Prepacked sandwiches, and groceries... leaves money in the budget for fuel... (gasoline, and beer)

Although the official distinction is that this is for 1975 and older makes... they allow continuation cars as well. I posted a question regarding this specifically, as we might pull 6 cars if they allow cars, that to them are almost indistinguishable from a 1975.

Ron you aren't out of it yet!

Is anyone as cheap as me? and more inclined to camp than pay $100.00 or more a night? I'm not just cheap, I love camping! and have tons of gear! Camping would make this seem like more of an adventure!

-Ryan

[rlux4]

Krissy and I also love camping. But 82 is a ways past the cut off model year.
Let me know what you hear from them Ryan, and I'll see if we can make it. I remember Ace's stories from this event last year and it sounds great.
Ron

[ventura ace]

Camping is a tempting option. Gives us a chance to sit around the campfire at night and reflect on the day and solve the world's problems!

I'll have to broach the subject carefully with Maureen. The first thing she did each afternoon last year was take a long soak in the bathtub before joining the parking lot festivities. I guess driving the twisties in the hot sun all day took a lot out of her -- she needs the serenity of her bath to calm the frizzies.

A

[fiatS2000]

I would love to go on this drive, but already have plans for that week end. That and my spider is currently out of service.

[SpiderHead]

I can't make it.

I could miss one drafting class... Thursday evening, but my dad made plans for us to go house hunting in the Walnut/Diamond bar area on Friday.

Thats just too much for me to be selfish and ditch to go for a drive!

-Ryan