NEW FOR 2008:

The Carolina Trophy Moves to Lake Lure!
Over the years, we’ve moved the Carolina Trophy to different bases around the Appalachian Mountains, in part to access new and exciting routes and in part to find a “home” for the event that fits perfectly with our philosophy.  For 2008, we’re very pleased to announce a new location that suits the event perfectly – The Inn at Lake Lure.

Situated on the banks of Lake Lure, surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains, the Lake Lure Inn is comfortable and luxurious.  Designed with leisure in mind, the nostalgic atmosphere of The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa is apparent the moment you enter its historic foyer.  Recently restored to its full splendor, the Inn is home to a unique collection of art and antiques, and each room is furnished with modern amenities for your comfort during the rally.   From the wonderful Veranda Restaurant to the gardens by the pool overlooking the lake, the scenery is gorgeous.  And at the Moose and Goose Lounge you can enjoy a relaxing beverage after a long day in the cockpit. Pamper yourself at Allure, the full service spa offering state-of-the-art treatment rooms and a variety of services, conveniently located directly connected to the main lodge.  The Inn was built so guests from throughout the world could enjoy the recreational opportunities and beauty of Lake Lure, and is famous as the location for the movie “Dirty Dancing” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray.  For more information on the Inn at Lake Lure, visit www.lakelure.com

We will have virtually the entire main lodge, providing us with unparalleled service from the Inn.  Parking will be directly in the front of the main building, with a secure marina just around the corner for trailer/transporter parking.  Breakfast will be in the main dining room every morning, and dinners will be on the property – so no driving will be necessary for provided evening meals.  The Moose and Goose lounge – the hotel bar – has the perfect charm and ambiance, and the management assures us they will keep the bar open as long as there are entrants who wish to relax there, or until 2am when law requires they close.

Our new accommodations at the Inn at Lake Lure do not affect the entry fee to the event, which remains as before. Whether or not you’ve ever been to the Carolina Trophy before, you need to come this year.


Meals Revamped Again for 2008:
We learned some important lessons last year, and this year there are two major changes in terms of meals.  First, all provided dinners will be on the property, so no driving will be required for dinners!  This change has the added benefit of allowing us to provide alcoholic beverage service with dinners, which we know will be a welcome addition.  The Inn at Lake provides the ideal social atmosphere for meals as well, and we are very excited about the new look and feel.

Most importantly, we have some new budget room to take the level of provided meals up a substantial notch, and two new Carolina Trophy staffers who are dedicated specifically to making sure every meal is as rewarding as possible.


Two Rally Classes:
As in 2007, we will have two different rally classes - “competitive” and “touring.” Every entered team can choose for themselves which classification they would like to participate in.  Whether you are a serious rallyist, a casual rallyist, or someone who just wants to tour around and not worry about their score, you’ll be comfortable and at home in the Carolina Trophy.

COMPETITIVE: This class is for the serious, competitive rallyist or the entrant who would like to experience what a serious, competitive rally is all about. It’s great fun, but with a structure and level of precision that make it what we always envisioned the Carolina Trophy to be. A serious vintage road rally. Detailed rules can be found at the end of this page, but in short, the rules for this class will be much stricter than in either of our previous years. For example, there will be far more checkpoints on each stage, including hidden checkpoints. Entrants in the Competitive Class will not be able to switch cars during the rally, there will be substantial restrictions placed on the use of delay slips, there will be no stopping within 200 meters of a control, etc. Entrants will start in one-minute intervals, and will only be able to collect their road book exactly 45 minutes before their start time. In short, the Competitive Class will be more difficult, but still maintain the fun, exciting spirit of gentlemanly competition as before. To compensate slightly for increase in rules strictness, the organizers will discard the single poorest stage result (highest point total) for each entrant, and the final score of each entrant will be the sum of the remaining stage totals.

TOURING: All the above structure can get wearying for our entrants who don’t particularly care about their rally score, we also offer a Touring Class. Designed for the rallyist looking for a more streamlined, relaxed set of rules and structure, the Touring Class is still timed and scored, it’s just timed and scored quite a bit differently. In short, the Touring Class features many of the benefits of a traditional tour event. For example, entrants can collect their road books whenever they want (within a provided window of time) and can start whenever they want (within a provided window of time.) So if you want to start alone or in groups of multiple cars driving together, you may. If you bring multiple cars to the event and want to drive a different one every day, you may (providing all the cars in question qualify for the event.) You will zero checkpoints as long as you pass them in a window of time, etc. It’s a more relaxed environment for the rallyist who is less-serious about their score or not serious about their score at all.


Mechanical Assistance Crews:
Last year we had some of the best mechanical assistance available anywhere, and a relatively large number of entrants were kept on the road and running strong by our technicians.  This will continue in 2008, as we have contracted with one of the most respected vintage car service and restoration facilities in the Carolinas to provide comprehensive breakdown assistance throughout the event


The 2008 Premier Financial Services Carolina Trophy – September 14-19, 2008:

What Is The Carolina Trophy?
The Carolina Trophy is the first and only true North American vintage road rally in the grand European tradition. Taking place over five days and based out of historic Asheville, North Carolina, the Carolina Trophy is a competitive TSD and regularity trial in the spirit of the Mille Miglia Retrospective, Alpine Rallye and Three Castles Trial. 

Imagine an event that captures the true spirit of semi-competitive motoring in the classic sense of the term. An event that combines road rally stages and long distance regularity trials, all set in a gracious social atmosphere and elegant accommodations. Imagine driving your classic motorcar the way it was meant to be driven, on challenging mountain roadways amidst breathtaking scenery and incomparable natural beauty. Imagine motoring through charming mountain towns where the local residents line the roadways to cheer you on, and the camaraderie of like-minded enthusiasts, piloting classic motorcars from Ferrari, Aston-Martin, Porsche, Jaguar, Maserati, Austin-Healey, Ford, Lancia, MG, Bentley and more, all headquartered in one of North America’s most unique and luxurious resorts.

Our home is the Inn at Lake Lure - one of the most historic properties in the Carolinas - and the breathtaking mountain roadways that surround her. The twisting, serpentine tarmac of the Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mountains provide the setting for road rally stages that total approximately 1000 kilometers.

From start to finish, the Carolina Trophy is designed to make sure you enjoy yourself and your car to the fullest. If you have never been on a road rally before, have no fear. No special equipment or licenses are required and we will have expert assistance on hand at all times to ensure that first-timers and seasoned veterans enjoy themselves equally.

The event is limited to 60 motorcars of distinction manufactured on or before December 31, 1979, but there is also a special class open to interesting cars built later than that date. Each vehicle is piloted by a crew of at least two people (driver and navigator), and although the stages are timed and scored, the Trophy is not a race. The emphasis is on driving precision and navigational expertise.

Five days of driving, enjoying and experiencing classic motorcars and championing the lifestyle that surrounds them. That is what the 2008 Carolina Trophy is all about.

The most breathtaking roadways you have ever seen
The Carolina Trophy traverses some of the most breathtaking roads on the continent. For those who have never driven through the Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mountains, you are in for a treat. The winding roadways are full of challenging switchbacks, dramatic elevation changes and absolutely stunning scenery. Best of all, they are in excellent condition and very lightly traveled and there are times when it feels as if you have the mountain to yourself. Notations in your road book that mention names such as “Saluda Grade” and “Medusa” will certainly serve as boisterous dinner conversation!

Stages will range in length and timing regulations, but for 2008 the routes will average a total of approximately 225 miles per day. The event will follow a series of TSD and regularity trials. Point scoring rewards consistency and precision, not outright speed, so although cars are divided into classes based on age and other factors, drivers of older or more “touring” oriented vehicles will have just as much chance to shine as those of later-model sports cars.

The driving days will be quite full, but the routes will take competitors through numerous charming towns and scenic resting points. Serious rallyists may choose to press on hard, while those less interested in their score may elect to stop and take in the scenery. Either way, there is no “wrong way” to approach the event. In the evenings, competitors will have plenty of time to enjoy the city of Asheville with its incredible restaurants and nightlife, or take part in nightly social activities at the estate.

It’s a magnificent route. One you will remember always.

The itinerary from start to finish:

DAY ONE - Sunday, September 14, 2008:
Competitors arrive and check into the event and their rooms. Scrutineering is in the main parking area which is open to the public for a walkaround. Entrants will fit their required rally plates, number and advertising decals. We also host the optional “Intro to Rallying” class, which will be held in a dedicated room and where we will address every aspect of rally navigation, scoring and calculations. Following the “Intro To Rallying” class, all entrants adjourn to the Veranda restaurant and patio, where we enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and light supper.

DAY TWO - Monday, September 15, 2008:
After a full breakfast in the hotel, the event starts with the morning driver’s briefing, and then it’s straight into the first series of trials totaling approximately 225 miles over a stunning mountain route that is both challenging and enjoyable. Morning and afternoon driving stages are split by a break for lunch, with each stage lasting approximately two-and-a-half hours. Back at the Inn, dinner is provided in the main dining room and entrants can enjoy watching film taken during the day’s stage on a large projector.

DAY THREE - Tuesday, September 16, 2008:
Full chat! More than 250 miles of driving sections will get your blood pumping, particularly several stretches which are as twisting and challenging as any roads you will find anywhere. Smooth and lightly traveled yes, but certain sections of today’s stages are one switchback after another. But don’t worry, these stages are interspersed with rolling, beautifully scenic sections that give your arms a rest and your eyes a chance to enjoy the views. Dinner is again provided in the main dining room, and we have a special guest speaker for the evening.

DAY FOUR - Wednesday, September 17, 2008:
Another 250 miles of driving, with a very special break for lunch.  Dinner this evening is not planned, so entrants are free to explore the many fine restaurants and nightlife of Lake Lure, nearby Chimney Rock, or Asheville.

DAY FIVE - Thursday, September 18, 2008:
Today has two relatively short stages totaling around 175 miles. These stages conclude the driving portion of the event.  After returning to the Inn, the cars will remain on display for an informal Concours d’Elegance which will run from approximately 3:00PM to 5:00PM. Then it’s to the onsite hall for the private awards banquet, featuring trophy presentations, an elegant plated dinner and entertainment.

DAY SIX – Friday, September 19, 2008
Entrants wake up, eat breakfast, check out of the Inn, and head back home for another 51 weeks before we get to do it all over again!

Preparation and navigation:
Organizers will make mechanical assistance crews available to all entrants. That said, we cannot guarantee the availability of crews at any given time, nor can we guarantee familiarity with your particular vehicle, and it is important to remember that the responsibility to keep vehicles in proper and safe running order rests with each entrant. We strongly recommend that your car be subjected to a thorough and complete service before arriving at the event, and that you bring sufficient spares and tools with you. Such spares will also help our assistance crews repair your car quickly. View a list of recommended spares by clicking here.

Navigation:
The entire Carolina Trophy course is shown in the road book given to each entrant at check-in. The road book contains arrows, indications of distance and required speed for each section. Descriptions are accompanied by “tulip” diagrams, which are stylized sketches of each control point. If you would like more information, you can contact the Carolina Trophy and request a primer version of the road book. As mentioned above, we will also be holding the “Intro To Rallying” class on Sunday after event check-in, which will detail all of the aspects of how to complete a rally accurately.

Timing and scoring:
The event is timed and scored based on a combination of TSD and regularity formats. Complete detailed rules will be made available to all entrants comfortably prior to the start of the event itself. All timing is handled by a state-of-the-art, fully digital system that employs a wireless transmitter mounted in your vehicle. The transmitter sends timing info as your car passes through each control, is accurate to 1/100th of a second and generates a printed hard copy of each vehicle’s time at the end of the stage. Permissible in-car devices include stopwatches, mechanical mileage meters (even those with digital displays), hand held calculators and manual rally tables. Forbidden devices include laptop computers and global positioning equipment of any kind.

Frequently asked questions:

“My car is a 1983 model. Can I still enter?”
Maybe. Although the event is open to all motorcars built on or before December 31, 1979, we have also added a “special interest” class to accommodate owners of special-interest, later-model vehicles. Some later model cars are rare and wonderful and we feel it is important for them to be seen and heard and driven and shown. The deciding factor in whether or not you qualify for this class depends on the organizers, so please inquire as early as possible. Examples of cars that have qualified for the “special interest” class in the past include an all-aluminum Kirkland Cobra replica and a faithful replica of the Porsche 953 East African Safai Rallye car, built on a 1988 Carrera chassis.

“Are there any stages at night? On gravel? On dirt?”
No. All stages take place during daylight and on paved tarmac. To the best of our ability, we have selected only roads which are very well maintained and will not cause undue stress on your vehicle.  That said, unforeseen circumstances may occur and require you to cross extremely short segments or transitional areas on gravel for a hundred yards or so, but we try to avoid them and you are never asked to carry speed over them.  This is usually not the case, but in 2007 some last-second road construction created a very short stretch of gravel – about 100 yards.

“Are there any ‘closed course’ stages?”
Depending on the final routes, there may be. If so, these stages will be slow-speed precision trials, not high speed events. You may, for example, have to navigate a course laid out in cones four consecutive times, trying to record the exact same time each lap. Or perhaps accelerate from a standing start and stop again in a designated zone, achieving as close as possible to a given time for the test. Challenging, but not dangerous.

“Do I need a rally timer or Halda Twinmaster?”
No, but mechanical rally devices are allowed if you have them, providing they meet the criteria spelled out in the official event rules.

Inclusions, pricing and contact information
For competitors, entry into this unique and exciting event for a car and crew of two persons is US$4,950

Every car entry fee includes:

• Five nights accommodation for two (double occupancy) at the incomparable Inn At Lake Lure, the historic hotel located on the stunning shores of Lake Lure, NC.

• All meals and entertainment during the event, including full breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday, a final breakfast Friday, a welcome reception and buffet dinner on Sunday, full dinner on Monday and Tuesday, and the grand finale banquet and awards party on Thursday.

• All rally plates, car numbers, road books, time cards and other event-related materials.

• Guarded, secure, overnight parking all nights.

• A photo of your car in action during the event and a commemorative dash plaque

• Preferred status for the entry of the 2009 Carolina Trophy

• The use of our driver’s service desk and mechanical assistance crews throughout the event*

• A Carolina Trophy clothing package for each team, plus sponsor goodies

NOTE: All information contained on this web site is accurate at the time of writing, but is subject to change without notice.