Home
Photo Galleries
2009 Results
2010 Info
Submit Your Entry
Latest News
Partners
Contact Us
Payments
the motorcars
the experience
the faces
<span class="text"><font color="#000000" class="text"> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; "> <span style="font-size: medium; "><strong>North America's Only Competitive Vintage Road Rally<br /> </strong></span><span style="font-size: medium; "><strong><br /> </strong></span><strong>DATES FINALIZED FOR 2010!<br /> The 2010 Carolina Trophy 1000km will run from September 26-October 1. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; "> <strong><br /> What is the Carolina Trophy?</strong><br /> 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 Lake Lure, NC, the Carolina Trophy is a competitive TSD and regularity trial in the spirit of the Mille Miglia Storica, 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 small towns and experiencing the camaraderie of like-minded enthusiasts, piloting classic motorcars of every shape and size, all headquartered in one of North America's most unique and luxurious resorts.</p> <p> Our home is the 1927 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, and unlike many other events, we stay in the same Inn throughout the event. Each day follows a "leave and return" format that means we don't move from hotel to hotel as most other events do. So no rushing. No stress. No packing and unpacking. From start to finish, the Carolina Trophy is designed to make sure you enjoy yourself and your car to the fullest.</p> <p> If you have never been on a road rally before, have no fear. No special equipment or licenses are required and we have expert assistance on hand at all times to make sure that first timers and seasoned veterans all enjoy themselves equally. The event is limited to motorcars manufactured on or before December 31, 1979, but there is also a class open to interesting vehicles manufactured 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.</p> <p> Five days of driving, enjoying and experiencing classic motorcars and championing the lifestyle that surrounds them. That is what the Carolina Trophy is all about.<br /> </p> <p> <strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); ">"Thank you for an amazing adventure! We loved the location, the venue, the people and of course the roadways! We have a difficult time describing this to friends; it’s like you just have to be there!" </span></strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); "><strong><em> - R.G., MGA Roadster</em></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <img alt="" height="240" src="/users/PaulMisencik10284/docs/Image/Ferrari_330_over_river.jpg" width="360" /><img alt="" height="240" src="/users/PaulMisencik10284/docs/Image/rally_car_interior2.jpg" width="360" /></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>TOURING VS. RALLYING:</strong><br /> Worldwide, vintage rallying has never been more popular. For vintage motoring enthusiasts, a rally provides a unique opportunity to challenge themselves and their machines in an environment of gentlemanly competition and camaraderie. Plus, it provides a venue where vintage motorcars can be enjoyed in the manner in which they were originally intended — covering considerable distances on interesting and challenging roadways, with driver and navigator working together to achieve an ideal result. Less extreme than a targa but more exciting than a tour, a rally hits a unique sweet spot.</p> <p> Regrettably, North America has been left behind somewhat when it comes to vintage rallying. Admittedly, there are plenty of events here that call themselves "rallies," but they are more accurately "tours" and not true rallies at all. That is not necessarily a criticism - they are usually wonderful events — but for the true rally enthusiast, or the enthusiast who wishes to experience what a true vintage rally is like, most "rallies" in the USA don't provide the full experience.</p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>INTRODUCING THE CAROLINA TROPHY:</strong><br /> When we started the Carolina Trophy back in 2004, we designed it to offer the best of both worlds — the comfortable aspects of a tour with the gentlemanly competition of a serious rally. So although entrants can certainly treat the event like a tour if they wish (and every year many do just that), the Carolina Trophy is timed and scored with precision, and has the blood of a motorsports event coursing through its veins. The result is something quite special and charmingly unique. It is an event that provides the excitement, passion, and competitive spirit of the grand events found throughout the world. Over the years the Carolina Trophy has become known for the incomparable beauty and challenge of our routes and the dynamic, friendly nature of our entrants and crew.</p> <p> A road rally is one of the oldest forms of automotive competition, but it is not a race; it is an exercise in driving and navigational precision that takes place on public roadways. All stages are run during the daytime on paved tarmac, so there are no closed course speed trials, gravel sections, or high-speed racing. Instead, driver and navigator work together to navigate a challenging route and maintain precise average speeds throughout the course. No special licenses or equipment are required, making the Carolina Trophy one of the most accessible, safe and enjoyable forms of motorsport around, and one that captures a unique essence. Part vacation, part competition... all fun.</p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>DOES THAT MEAN YOU HAVE TO CARE ABOUT WINNING?</strong><br /> Absolutely not. In fact, a substantial percentage of our entrants are simply along for the experience, to enjoy the routes and the lasting friendships that are always made during the week. But if you ARE serious about your rallying, or would like to see what all the fuss is about, the Carolina Trophy will allow you to indulge your passion like no other event in the country.</p> <p> Besides, you might be surprised. Many of our entrants who arrive thinking they are unconcerned with their rally performance become gripped by the challenge, and ultimately become more competitive than they thought they would.</p> <p> A vintage rally can be remarkably addicting...</p> <p> <br /> <strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); ">"As a first-timer I can't tell you how impressed I was with all you do for this event. It was so wonderful to see the organization, which allowed us to relax and enjoy every second. We can't wait for next year!" </span><em><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); ">- J. N., Porsche 356</span></em></strong></p> <p> <br /> <strong>OUR HOME - THE 1927 INN AT LAKE LURE</strong><br /> Over the years, we've moved the Carolina Trophy to different bases around the Blue Ridge Mountains, in part to access new and exciting routes and in part to find a "home" for the event that fits us perfectly. In 2008 we found that home with the 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa, and after two years and universally positive praise from our entrants, we'll be returning again in 2010.</p> <p> Situated on the shore of Lake Lure, surrounded by astonishingly beautiful views of the mountains, the Lake Lure Inn is comfortable, historic and luxurious. Designed with leisure in mind, the nostalgic atmosphere of the inn 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.</p> <p> 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 entrance, with a secure marina just around the corner for trailer and transporter parking. Breakfast will be in the main dining room every morning, and dinners will be on the property, so no driving is required for provided evening meals.</p> <p> <img alt="" height="270" src="/users/PaulMisencik10284/docs/Image/ct5.jpg" width="360" /> <img alt="" height="267" src="/users/PaulMisencik10284/docs/Image/ct11.jpg" width="360" /></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE CREWS:</strong><br /> Every year, Evan Amaya and the staff of Reborn, Co — one of the most respected restoration facilities in the region - are on site throughout the week to provide any mechanical assistance you might need. Evan sweeps the route every day to make sure everyone arrives safely and has any help they might need.</p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>THE ITINERARY:</strong></p> <p> <br /> <strong>SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26:</strong><br /> Entrants arrive and check-in to the event and their rooms. For 2010, we have a multi-marque car show at the Inn on this day, so entrants and their cars will be introduced to the public and local media. The morning features our optional "practice rally," where entrants can elect to run a short version of one of our rally stages and have their calculations and performance checked by our rally experts. In the late afternoon we hold an "Introduction To Road Rallying" class, where we explain in detail how the rally is timed and scored and how effective rally calculations are performed. In the evening, our cocktail party and supper allows entrants to mingle and meet new faces and old friends alike.</p> <p> <strong>MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27:</strong><br /> After a full breakfast in the main dining room overlooking Lake Lure, we have a driver's briefing and distribute route books for the day. Then it's straight into the first day of rallying where morning and afternoon stages are split by a scenic lunch stop. Back at the Inn, dinner is served in the main dining room while video and still images from the day are shown on a projector. New for 2010, the first "leader's jersey" is presented, and daily awards are given out for all sorts of different serious and humorous categories. The Moose and Goose bar is a popular spot after dinner, as are the comfy rocking chairs on the front porch, allowing entrants to relax among the cars and fellow competitors.</p> <p> <strong>TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28:</strong><br /> Full chat! Breakfast in the hotel again, a driver's briefing, and then more than 250 miles of serpentine mountains roadways await the teams. Lunch is provided along the route, and dinner is again provided back at the hotel. The leader's jersey is presented, daily awards are handed out.</p> <p> <strong>WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29:</strong><br /> Following breakfast and the driver's briefing, another 250 miles of challenging roadways beckon the entrants. Lunch is provided along the route, and back at the hotel in the evening, the leader's jersey presentation takes place and daily awards are given out. Dinner is not planned this evening, so entrants are free to explore the many fine restaurants and nightlife of Lake Lure, nearby Chimney Rock, or the larger nearby towns of Asheville and Hendersonville.</p> <p> <strong>THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30:</strong><br /> The final driving day of the rally splits two tricky stages with a gourmet lunch, and if past years are any indication, these two stages will decide the podium positions of the rally. Back at the hotel the cars are displayed for group photos and another informal car show. In the evening, the suspense ends at the final gala banquet and awards presentation, where trophies are presented in many different objective and subjective categories. The final leader's jersey is presented as well.</p> <p> <strong>FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1:</strong><br /> Entrants wake, enjoy another breakfast overlooking the lake, and then check out of their rooms and depart, forced to wait another 51 weeks until we get to do it all over again! </p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); "><strong>"What a week! We expected to come and just tour around, but took a crack at the rallying and were instantly hooked! What a hoot! Sitting around the hotel in the evening, telling fish stories and laughing ourselves silly was worth it all by itself. Thank you for everything!!"</strong></span> <span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); "><em><strong>- M.D., Jaguar XK120</strong></em></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>RALLY NAVIGATION:</strong><br /> The entire Carolina Trophy course for the day is shown in the road book given to each entrant one hour before their start time. The road book follows the classic "tulip rally" format, which show distances to each instruction, average speed to maintain, and clear diagrams of each turn and challenge. The road book is NOT DESIGNED TO GET YOU LOST. It is clear, precise and accurate. You can request a primer version of the route book by contacting us in advance of the event.</p> <p> We hold an "Introduction to Road Rallying" class on the check-in day of the event, which will go over all the details of how to rally successfully, including navigation and rally calculations.</p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>OPTIONAL PRACTICE RALLY:</strong><br /> New for 2010 is an optional Practice Rally, held on the morning of the check-in day. If you would like to attend the practice rally, our experts will go over a short route book with you, help you with your calculations, and check your work. Afterwards, you will go through the regular rally start procedure and actually drive a short course, passing sample checkpoints along the way. Once the course is complete, our experts will go over your results with you, show you where any errors were made, and advise you on how to correct them when the rally starts in earnest the following day. Cost is $250.</p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>TIMING AND SCORING:</strong><br /> The event is timed and scored with precision, based on a classic TSD format. Complete and detailed rules will be made available to all entrants comfortably prior to the event. All timing is handled by a state-of-the-art, fully digital system that employs a wireless transponder carried in your vehicle. The transponder sends time data as you pass through each checkpoint and is accurate to 1/100th of a second. On each leg of the rally there will be between four and seven checkpoints, which you will pass without stopping. Some of the checkpoints will be hidden. Others will be fake. You must maintain proper rally speeds at all times during the route in order to maximize your performance. 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, global positioning devices, or any device that calculates average speed in real time.</p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:</strong></p> <p> <strong>"MY CAR IS A 1983 MODEL. CAN I STILL ENTER?"</strong><br /> Maybe. Although the event is open to all motorcars built in 1979 or earlier, we occasionally allow later vehicles as part of a "special interest" class. Eligibility for the special interest class is at the discretion of the organizers, so please inquire as soon as possible. Examples of cars that have been eligible for the special interest class in the past include accurate-appearing Cobra replicas, a replica of the Porsche 953 East African Safari Rally car, and an original ex-works Audi Quattro rally.</p> <p> <strong>"HOW DO MY BAGS GET FROM HOTEL TO HOTEL?"</strong><br /> They don't. Unlike many other "rallies," the event does not travel to different hotels every night. We stay at the same historic and luxurious inn throughout the event. That means instead of waking up and rushing to pack your bags and get them to the lobby, you can sleep in a bit and sip coffee, watching the morning fog burn off the lake. It means that after a long day in the cockpit, you don't have to find your bags and unpack again — your room is just the way you left it before the day's stage. </p> <p> <strong>"ARE THERE ANY STAGES AT NIGHT? ON GRAVEL? ON DIRT?"</strong><br /> No. All stages take place during daylight on paved roadways that are open to the public. To the best of our ability we chose roads which are well-maintained and will not cause undue stress or strain on your vehicle. That said, unforeseen circumstances do occur and require you to cross short stretches of gravel or graded dirt. Usually 100 yards or less, and you are never required to carry any significant speed over them. Most years there are none of these sections at all, but in 2007 some last-second road construction on one of the routes required a short stretch of graded dirt — approximately 80 yards long.</p> <p> <strong>"ARE THERE ANY 'CLOSED COURSE' STAGES?"</strong><br /> Usually, no, but depending on the final routes, there may be. If so, these stages will be slow speed precision trials, not open-road high speed events. You may, for example, have to navigate a gymkhana course four consecutive times, trying to record the exact same time for each lap. Or perhaps accelerate from a standing start and then stop again in a designated zone, achieving as close as possible to a given elapses time for the exercise. Challenging, but never dangerous.</p> <p> <strong>"DO I NEED A HALDA OR A RALLY TIMER?"</strong><br /> No, but mechanical rally devices are allowed if you have them, providing they meet the criteria spelled out in the official event rules. </p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>INCLUSIONS, PRICING AND CONTACT INFORMATION:</strong><br /> For competitors, entry into this unique and exciting event for a car and a crew of two persons is $4,950. Every car entry includes:</p> <p> - Five night accommodations for two (double occupancy) at the incomparable 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa, the historic hotel located on the shores of Lake Lure, North Carolina</p> <p> - All meals and entertainment during the event, including full breakfast every morning, a final breakfast on the day of checkout, a welcome reception and buffet dinner on Sunday, full dinners on Monday and Tuesday, and a grand finale banquet and awards party on Thursday.</p> <p> - Two open-bar cocktail parties during the week.</p> <p> - All rally plates, car numbers, road books, transponders, and other rally-related gear.</p> <p> - Guarded, secure overnight parking all nights.</p> <p> - A framed photo of your car in action during the event.</p> <p> - The use of our service desk and mechanical assistance crews during the event.</p> <p> - A Carolina Trophy clothing package for each team, plus sponsor goodies.</p> <p> - Preferred entry into the 2011 Carolina Trophy.</p> <p> </p> <div> </div> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p></font></span><br> <h1> 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 Lake Lure, NC, the Carolina Trophy is a competitive TSD and regularity trial.</h1>
send email
PO Box 1181 Vienna, VA 22180 (704) 351 2087
