By Warren Pierce

What do an Alfa GTV, Aston Martin Vantage, Audi TT, Barracuda, BMW, Cadillac SRX,  MGBGT and a Subaru all have in common? All these cars participated in the Polar Bear Run on Saturday Feb 16th. The rules for the run were simple, top down no heater for convertibles, windows down air conditioning on for tin tops, ice cream at the end of the run.

The unlikely trio.

Alfa in the rain: Courage

The Italian stealing the spotlight 

Smile!

A British supermodel stealing the spotlight.

The unfair advantage.

Roll-call.

Taking advantage of the nice weather we departed for a scenic drive through the outskirts of Salinas to Old Stage Road. Following Old Stage Road along the foot hills east of town past the old Kaiser plant, past ranches and houses, dodging pot holes and puddles.

The daring survivors.

After the lead car, MGBGT, almost gets wiped out by a pickup we turn right onto San Juan Grade Rd for the climb up the grade. The road is in good shape and has a nice view of the Salinas valley until we reach the San Benito County line at the crest of the grade. Things are down hill from there, pun intended, as the road is potholed and patched as it winds through the oak trees. Arriving in San Juan Bautista we have a nice lunch at Dona Esters Mexican restaurant  where ice cream is replaced by margaritas! 

Now time for the real reason we all did this.

Over all I’d say the event was a success. The turn out was good and the drive was very enjoyable (pot holes and kamikaze truck aside). Once again I want to thank everyone that participated, and of course one last round of car pictures for the road.

A rag tag group of brave men and women

Two stars sharing the spot light.

One of these things is not like the other…

Ssshh I’m a sports car!

Just enjoying the view.

By: Anthony Jimenez

First I’d like to thank Steve and Wendy Fields for once again hosting this wonderful event. As always this event was one of the high lights the year. To kick things off there was of course the mandatory impromptu car show on the driveway.

Fallowed immediately by the always popular cocktail hour.

It was so nice conversing with everyone it was easy to lose track of time. So many friendly faces so little time.

And of course lets not forget the star attraction and the main event, the food, and there was quite a the spread. There was way more than enough to go around although I did hear the turkey went quick.

Not to be out done dessert was next and what a selection. Full or not it was hard to resist not taking more than one slice.

Thanks to everyone that participated in the toy drive we had quite a turn out.

And as always one more look at the cars before we part.

Again thank you so much to Steve and Wendy for hosting this event. It was a great time and the food was spectacular. Special thanks to Jim Eckhart, Frank d’Aquanno, Mike Hayworth, Monica
Nathan and Warren. And Mike Burger, Frank and Mike Hayworth for showing up
at 10 that morning to set up the tables and canopies. Hope to see you all next time.

Photo Rally 2018

A tour of the back-roads of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties

Saturday October 20, 2018

Join us for our annual rally event     A new look for this year’s rally.

In the past, the photo rally has featured written, turn-by-turn route instructions with a fist-full of photos to find along the way. To be competitive, teams had to drive the route slowly to locate each photo, sometimes too slowly for safety.

For this year’s event each team will be given several maps accompanied by route instructions that feature photos containing clues to each photo’s location. Teams then determine their own route to those locations. As in the past, the photos will be missing some information that teams need to gather as they locate each photo. In addition, there will be a timing element at Checkpoints along the route.

No special equipment is needed. Bring pens/pencils and a clock or watch. A clip board can be handy as well. The rally will finish at the Gizdich Ranch berry farm.

START:  We’ll meet at the parking lot next to the Nifty 50 Café at 1760 Fremont Blvd. (at Echo) in Seaside. Come early and have breakfast or coffee before the start.

RALLY FEE:  $20

TIME: Registration opens 9:30 a.m. Drivers meeting at 10 a.m. First Car Out at 11:01 a.m.

Please RSVP to Tim Errington and if you have additional questions please contact Tim.

Call or Text (831) 293-4570 or e-mail to tim@singmaster.com

Photo Rally Flyer 2018

Photo Rally 2018

A tour of the back-roads of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties

Saturday October 20, 2018

A bright sunny morning greeted 12 rally teams as they took up the challenge of this year’s annual Photo Rally.

This year’s edition was a little different from previous Photo Rally events in that the photos were used to define the rally route. The teams were given five linked maps and a set of photos that were to be located on the maps. Then each team devised their own route from photo to photo. When arriving at a photo location they had to find some missing information.

There were also several checkpoints along the way where teams had to arrive at or before a certain time. This proved important as finding the photos was much simpler than in previous editions. The route took in a bit of old Fort Ord, the fields north of Marina, the eucalyptus groves near Elkhorn Slough, berry ranches east of Watsonville, apple orchards and deep redwoods in the foothills of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. The route ended up in Corralitos, then a short drive to the finish at the Gizdich Berry Ranch.

In the end the rally proved to be a bit too easy as we ended up with a five-way tie for first place, all with perfect scores. After invoking the 4-F’s tie breaker (flashlight, flares, first-aid kit & fire extinguisher) there were two teams left standing. First and second had to be decided with a coin flip. Thanks to everyone who participated and special thanks to Steve Kellogg who worked the pre-check and ran a checkpoint and Warren Pierce who also ran a checkpoint and helped with the tie-break at the finish.

By: Anthony Jimenez

We started our journey by gathering at the bottom of the main entrance of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca off hwy 68 for a drivers meeting following the Monterey Cars and Coffee event that morning.

It was a bright beautiful day as the cars started gathering around slowly to make what would become our caravan for the trip.

After everyone had showed up, we all gathered around for a group photo before we set out on our journey.

The road there was amazing, lots of sun and beautiful scenery a plenty (sorry no photo of that… I was driving).

Once there we did our best to park together in the same lot before you made our way to the Big Sur River Inn & Restaurant for a bit of brunch.

Once seated we were greeted by a friendly server how took our drink orders as conversations around the table began to strike up from all sides.

Aside from the long wait time the food was delicious and in large quantities.  I ordered the try tip sandwich and by the looks of things, this was going to be an adventure of its own, “sorry body”.

It was such a beautiful day we all decided to hang out just a little longer after the meal just to enjoy our afternoon and good company a little more.

Thanks to Dean and Monica for organizing this event and here’s to many more events like these in the future.

2018 Monterey Car Week on a Budget

By: Joe Chuddy

It’s that time again when the classic car world focuses on the Monterey Peninsula for the biggest car event in the world. While other places have historic races, tours, auctions or a Concours D’ Elegance, the Monterey area has all these within the same nine days.  Historic Week begins with the Pre-Reunion Races on August 18 at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, and ends with the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance on Sunday, August 26.   While you can google on “Monterey Car Week” to get more detail on the 30 plus events during that week ranging up to $450 to watch, I’ll try to point out some fun events for free to $30.  One of the bargains is still to go the Pre-Reunion races, pay only $30 for paddock access and not have all the crowds.

On Tuesday, visit the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel. Come early to miss some of the crowds. That afternoon is the Classic Motorsports Kickoff Car Show and cruise in Pacific Grove.

Tuesday also is the start of the two day Automobilia Monterey, selling genuine original items at The Embassy Hotel in Seaside – $20.  Wednesday features the Little Car Show in Pacific Grove for cars under 1601cc. There is also a small car show, Prancing Ponies, by women owners of Italian and German exotics on Dolores in Carmel.

Thursday is the Pebble Beach Concours Tour starting at 9 AM.  My favorite place to see the cars is south on Hwy 1 as they tour and return from Big Sur. Thursday is also the start of the six auctions – most entry fees are $30.  Then, Thursday through Saturday has the Pebble Beach Auto Retro, a collection of automobilia, at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Free, enter through the Pacific Grove gate.  Friday is car show day with the free Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally and Legends of the Autobahn and PCA Werks Reunion – free but $20 parking.

Saturday has the Concours D’Lemons at City Hall from 8 AM to 2 PM in Seaside where you may see anything from rusted out Pintos to an Aston Martin and everything in between – a real hoot!  Later that afternoon has a wine and cheese Ferrari event at the Barnyard in Carmel but you can see the cars for free.  You may also see an impromptu car show as you pass a hotel parking lot or see a group of Lamborghinis flying by.  So, enjoy!

By: Joe Chudy

Many thanks to Michael and Cathy Rippey and her family for having us enjoy the afternoon at their home!

“Yes, this is what I had for lunch, PLUS some appetizers before and luscious desserts afterward.  There goes the diet!”

Presentation of check to PBSCC by Cathy O’Brien and the  Monterey Ski and Social Club in honor of Bill O’Brien

Oh yes, there were desserts!

One of the pastry chefs in our fabulous group:

And then there were the cars.  Not a bad PBSCC Car Show!

And the Rippey’s Play House.  Everything you might want, but indoor plumbing, I heard! 

By Sandi Miller.

The Pebble Beach Sports Car Club’s July event was dinner at Fandango’s restaurant in Pacific Grove.

31 club members enjoyed a full course dinner. We were able to choose from three entrees along with a delicious

salad and to top it off a scrumptious coffee/ice cream dessert, a good time was had by all.

Well done to Monica Nathan and Dean Craig for arranging this event!