The Tour d'Orange New Year's Day drive turned out to be a great drive. It was a little chilly getting there but once the drive started it was sunshine and cool temperatures all the way. Turning out for the morning's drive were Phil Cavila, Tom Spangler, Jay Miller, Dex and Peggy Kaytis, Chuck and Dawn Lakowski, Steve and Michele Dulson, Dick and Carol Ames and a potential member from Riverside, Randy Clary. We were driving two bugeyes, four big Healeys and two Jensen Healeys. Our group also included Erick Melgoza and Kelly Miller in a 1962 Ford Falcon.
In an effort to limit the number of participants, the drive starting point was not announced until the day before the event. If that was the goal, it worked as there were far fewer cars than last year and a lot less than previous years when starting from another location. So, beautiful day, fewer cars, and a 70-mile route that included only four left turns equals a great and beautiful drive. The organizers really did lay out a nice driving route this year.
Dex Kaytis led the drive, with Peggy as navigator and Dex kept us pretty much together as a group with ?ve Healeys and a Falcon ?nishing at the Red Robin for lunch. Good drive, good times, good friends!
The car selection this year continued to trend upwards with a McLaren, a few Audis, newer BMW’s, Mercedes, Porsches, Mustangs and Corvettes in the group. There was an old MG and Triumph in the gathering, as well as some nice older Chevys, Fords, Pontiacs, etc. but not the eclectic group that made the drive and car watching so enjoyable several years ago.
Kudos to Dawn Lakowski for the great pictures.