Coker Tire Challenge 2009

We had a great time at Coker Tire Challenge September 18-20 in Chattanooga.

We were surprised and excited with our scores. We had a total of 33.81 sec. and finished in 2nd place for the event.

The scores for each day and the final results are on the Coker Tire Challenge web page. http://www.cokertirechallenge.com/

The following is information from Corky Coker's blog about the event.

In its fourth year, The Coker Tire Challenge invited teams to tackle the twisty back roads of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. 49 teams from 23 states and Australia

The seasoned Veteran Class found Curtic Graf and navigator Ty Holmquist’s 1932 Ford roadster on top of the heap after the dust settled. Their amazing 27.09 seconds score squeaked by Gary and Jean Ann Martin’s 33.81s 2nd place effort and the close 36.58s third place effort of Richard Fredette and Bill Loubiere’s 1928 boat-tailed speedster. The veteran’s scores were incredible given the conditions that they endured on a tough series of stages from Rally Masters Rex Gardner & Charlie McKinney.For the second time, a very special award was presented. The Coker family lost Bill Coker two years ago, Bill was a beloved and cherished family member, friend and model of the kind of person you hope to meet. Bill’s character embodies the virtues that proudly spawned the “Spirit of the Event” award presented to the participant who best represented themselves throughout the event. Beyond competition is character and Jean Ann Martin earned her place in Coker Tire Challenge history collecting the “Bill Coker, Spirit of the Event Award” for her kindness and passion in this years rally. Tommy Hudson’s “Good Guy award” for traveling a great distance from Ada, Oklahoma to donate his time to staffing the event was also honored.It was hard to find someone who could say anything other than “see you next year”, but the overwhelming sentiment was laced with the idea that car shows are giving way to a group of collector car enthusiasts who want to drive their cars. The popularity grows

Award ceremony at the Hemmings Challenge

We are home from the Hemmings Challenge. After five days of competition we finished in 2nd place in the Silver Division. We were very surprised with our performance!!! As at all the VCRA events it was a wonderful experience with our "rally family"

I've been too busy to write. Once the event starts there is very little free time. The weekend was preparations and practice. Today was the first day of the event. I'm excited to say (and very surprised) that we placed first for the day for the silver category. Now the pressure is on to do good!!

Maxine getting decals

Our "garage" spot

Having fun in Springfield. "Maxine" (the car) has passed tech inspection and has the decals. Now we are ready to rally. Gary has his "garage" set up in the parking lot with our Kentucky flag flying. Many of our friends arrived today but more will come tomorrow.

After a long day of driving we are relaxing in Springfield. Gary found the "perfect' spot to park the trailer/car so we can look out our window and see the car. Not many are here today but by tomorrow this place will have a crowd of "car people"!!

Attached is a link to the VCRA web site. If you want to know more about our car rally events this should be helpful. http://www.vintagecarrally.com/

READY TO RALLY

"Maxine" is in the trailer and ready to go. (At least Gary tells me all is ready) We definitely are more prepared than last year when we got the car out of the "shop' the day we left for the rally.

GETTING READY

We are getting ready for the VCRA Hemmings Challenge in Springfield. "Maxine' is getting her final check up before we are on the road!!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Yellowstone

We returned from a great visit to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park. We saw the beauty of nature and wildlife. It was a time to see the "old west"! We added adventure by hiking to the top of Snow King Mountain. Pretty good for us since we are not hikers especially in the high altitude and rough terrain.

2009 Kentucky Derby

The sun did shine bright on my Old Kentucky Home!!! May 2, 2009 a GREAT day to be in Kentucky. I had the perfect Derby hat for the perfect Derby Day. It is impossible to describe the spectacular of the event!! The people, the horses and the excitement make it a special day. When the crowd joins in singing My Old Kentucky Home there is a special feeling of pride and nostalgia in being a Kentuckian!! If you watched the NBC broadcast of the Derby you would have seen me ( really it was mostly my hat) during the singing of the National Anthem. If you want to see it check it out on You Tube, 2009 Ky Derby Leann Rimes.

VCRA Joplin Mother Road Rally

We had a great time in Joplin. Our scores were not the best but we had lots of fun. It was like a family reunion seeing all of our "rally family" again. The VCRA folks -- Rex, Charlie, Vic & all the rest -- did a super job of organizing the event.

VROOOM

It is almost time for the 2009 VCRA events!!! We are anxious to start a new year of rallies and fun.