10/3/09: 2nd Annual High Country Challenge (NC)

[Sisko99]

Greetings Opelers!

I've been seeing you guys at AutoFair for years and last fall, my friend and I did manage to talk to the group that was there about our first annual event. However, it was dang near last minute. So this year, I'm hitting you guys early to see if I can't ensure the presence of an Opel or two. The basics are below...as is the website, where we will be putting up further details. However, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post up as I'll be making the rounds regularly to answer questions or you can e-mail me at information@highcountrychallenge.com.

It's all for a great cause. What could be better than getting to drive your car and help out a charity at the same time?


Welcome to the 2nd Annual High Country Challenge!!!!
Scheduled for October 3rd, 2009

Full details: www.highcountrychallenge.com


What is this?
The High Country Challenge is a self-guided driving event through the heart of Americana. We provide the sponsor stops, you determine the route. An automotive adventure where you get to see beautiful sights, interesting locations, and great roads.

Where is it located?
The event this year will be centered in and around the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.

Why should you participate?
Proceeds from the event are donated to a beneficiary each year. The NCNG Soldier and Airmen's Family Assistance Fund will once again be the recipient.

Who can play?
Anyone. We recognize one driver or one driver and one navigator as a team. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles are all welcome.

Cost?
$50 per vehicle; includes a light dinner at the last stop and all proceeds go to charity.

Prizes?
Grand Prize - All expenses paid (hotel room for one night and gas money for the day)
Additional prizes – Product and Service donations from Event and Route Sponsors

How does the event work?
The participants will visit as many of our route sponsor stops as they desire. At each stop, trip tickets are available that will be used to qualify for the drawings at the end of the event. The more locations you visit the more drawing entries you earn. Pretty simple. Beyond that....we're not going to tell you how to get to each location or when you have to be there. The number of route stops will be kept relatively low in order to provide you with the most flexibility to get out, relax and enjoy the countryside.


Here are a few random pics from the event last year:

[Sisko99]

Couple more photos...

[Sisko99]

Good news! We got our first official Event Sponsor today!

Supercar Sensations, based out of Concord, NC, has given us a gift certificate good for their Test program. In the Test, you get to drive 3 of their supercars over the course of an hour!

Check out their website at www.SupercarSensation.com

[Sisko99]

Just wanted to let everyone know that online registration will be active as of noon today (8/10).

[Sisko99]

So...just a quick run down of this year's sponsors and stops to date...

Partner Organizations:
Carolina Z Club
ZDayZ


Gold Sponsors:
CarboTech
Asphalt Ventures (Free track day on the table.....)
Boosted Performance

Silver Sponsors:
Supercar Sensation
Wilkes Web Solutions
Hooters of Lake Norman (Free Chicken....and good scenery....)
Spotless Detail

Bronze Sponsor:
The Pit


And now for this year's confirmed stops:
There will be four regular stops, 1 mystery stop and the whole thing ends at the Winery. To date we have three of the four nailed down along with the final destination. Kevin and I are hoping to have the remaining stop nailed down this week.

Returning for their second year....



This store was our innagural mystery stop. They've stepped up this year to be one of our regular stops



New to the lineup this year is a great store that's been around since 1914.




And finally, making the jump from stop to playing host to the evening portion of the event....



As I said, we hope to confirm our last remaining stop this week.

[Sisko99]

Just a quick update: We added Discount Tire as a sponsor yesterday morning. On top of that, we've confirmed the caterer for dinner at the Winery, which will be the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse. Our last route stop has been confirmed as well...check the website for details. Lastly, we've confirmed another partner club...which will be the Tarheel Sports Car Club.

[Sisko99]

3 weeks to go! We'd love to see some of you guys out there!

[newman27]

This looks like a great event - good work pulling this together. I can't make it this year but will definitely keep it in mind for next year. This is the type of car event I can get my wife to attend and she'll actually enjoy it!

[Sisko99]

This looks like a great event - good work pulling this together. I can't make it this year but will definitely keep it in mind for next year. This is the type of car event I can get my wife to attend and she'll actually enjoy it!

Newman27, that right there was something we had in mind when we came up with the idea last year. While I myself am not married, the guy that planned the event with me last year is and we decided that the driving event should be something that can kill two birds with one stone: Get us out and driving while being something that the wife/girlfriend/whomever would enjoy as well. Drive your car and earn brownie points at the same time!

We'll definitely have an event next year and I'll keep you all up to date with the details.

Also...if you want, send an e-mail to information@highcountrychallenge.com and we'll make sure we e-mail you when we have the dates for next year.

[Sisko99]

Down to about a week and a half to go. Come have some fun while helping out a worthy cause!

[Sisko99]

The Challenge is this weekend! Come on out and join the fun. We should have a pretty good turnout with some very nice cars!