OR: Northwest Classic Car Challenge

In 2023, the NW Classic Car Challenge will have it’s 34th running over the August 3-6^th weekend. The rally will hold close to its roots, featuring a classic TSD (time-speed-distance) road rally complete with MRDs/TRAPS, rigorous course following (using OR and ITIS instructions), and this year we have added a relaxed Tour rally. Both travel wonderful twisty backroads from Portland, OR to Eugene, Oregon, over two days of driving.

But we have also made some changes to change with the times. First, you no longer need an old car to participate. We ENCOURAGE new sports car owners to join! We have special recognition planned for new Alfa owners. But ANY suitable modern car can sign up. If you don’t want to drive that finicky Spider or MG, you can bring out your Mustang, BMW, or…

Our presenting sponsor, Vintage Underground, forged another change to encourage new and younger participants. The tour can now be a traditional “follow-the-leader” format or ON YOUR OWN with a simplified route book. And all tour participants can take some pictures along the way, like their car going through one of the seven covered bridges or other landmarks along the route. If they post the photos to Instagram or FaceBook with the event hashtag #NWCCRALLY, they receive a raffle ticket for items raffled during the Awards Brunch on Sunday. The goal is to encourage and engage tour participants and have something for them to look forward to on Sunday besides the People’s Choice “Concours and Coffee.”

Also added to Sunday is a classic, 1960s-style gymkhana. There is no cost; teams can watch, participate, or both (see details below in the comprehensive schedule). As of April 25th, we have 34 RALLY entries and eight TOUR entrants at the time of writing. We expect 50-60 cars in total.

Here is the planned schedule for the 34th NW Classic Car Challenge. The committee has created an enjoyable and complete weekend with social aspects and events beyond just a RALLY or a TOUR. It is a true bucket list event!

#NWCCRALLY

Thursday Eve, August 3rd, 5–9:00 PM – SCRUTINEERING PARTY at Ron Tonkin Alfa Romeo in Beaverton. Come out and see the cars — everyone is welcome!

Friday, August 4th, 8:00 AM – Ceremonial start of the NW Classic Car Challenge Rally and Tour from Ron Tonkin Alfa Romeo with a TV crew like Tony Martinez, a Shriner as the starter, and Scott Fisher has agreed to be the announcer.

• SPECTATOR AREA along the route: Friends, family, and photographers cheer on the cars as they pass through a spectator point in the Portland/Tigard area.

• Catered Lunch at the ZCBJ Hall in Scio, OR. WiFi will be available for uploading Tour Challenge photos.

• Day 1 ends at Valley River Inn, Eugene ~4:30 PM, with BEER sponsored in the parking lot

• Evening Banquet – 6:30 PM with a slide show and KaHoots! Trivia Game

Saturday, August 5th, 8:00 AM  – NW Classic Car Challenge Rally and Tour departs

• Catered lunch in Cottage Grove, Oregon area, featuring Salmon!

• Day 2 ends at Valley River Inn, with a rose, presented to each car

• Cars will be escorted to the BEER WASH area, where contestants are handed a bucket/sponge and fresh towels, along with a beer, and they wash their car. Why clean the car after the days’ adventures? So that after the lovely social evening, they’re ready for Sunday morning’s Concours and Coffee in the parking lot with the PEOPLE’s CHOICE voting.

• Cocktail Hour follows the Beer Wash at 5:45 PM with a slide show

• Banquet Dinner starts at 6:45 PM, with the featured Speaker at 7:45 PM

Sunday Morning, August 6th, 7:00 AM – Concours and Coffee, with voting until 9:00 AM. There is a hired Security Officer each evening to oversee the parking lot.

• Awards Brunch, 9:00 AM – Trophies presented to TSD Rallyists and draw raffle tickets for Tour Challenge contestants who gained tickets by doing well in the photography challenge.

• 10:30 AM Special projected photo recognition for top Porsche on the Porsche Club stage, for top NEW GUILIA, and TOP PLACING 4C, etc., and of course, our CONCOURS winners are announced.

• 11:15 AM – Adjourn for “FUNKHANA” in a nearby parking lot. Optional slow-speed driving event with challenges like STOPPING on a DIME, TOSSING a ROD, DRIVING A SLALOM in reverse, hitting a blow-up clown while blindfolded, and finally hitting a GIANT SOCCER BALL thru a goal. No trophies, no cost, just good fun!