MTFCA Forum

June 8-9, 2024. 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run and Lowland Tour hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club. Come join us for the "First and the Oldest" Run. Hold the dates and watch our website at http://www.scvmtfc.org for location, details, registration and entry information as they develop. Chris Bhirdo, Chairperson, cbhirdo@gmail.com

Great to hear. Let’s get all those speedsters up and running.

Andy

Yeah! I'm ready for a good old fashioned endurance run with all the frills and California back road scenery. Bring it on!

Ed aka #4

how about a true 200 mile next year?

Tim

It's been awhile but the past few endurance runs felt more like tours. This past motorcamp was a couple days but the terrain was more rugged than the past runs and it felt great driving over the dirt, fording streams ect. There has always been something about the endurance runs that makes you feel a sense of accomplishment just for finishing.

Not too many old car tours run up and over Mt. Hamilton. Just saying. I'm sure the organizers will make every effort to put on a great event. Thank you in advance to all the folks that donate their time and effort to make even the smallest tour or event a success and something special.

Going to be a busy June in California. Auburn Swap Meet on the 2nd, SCVMTFC Endurance Run on the 9th then the San Diego National Tour on the 16th. F.A.S.T is also reporting a potential Hill Climb in Virginia City on the 14th/15th. Hmm, can you get from Virginia City to San Diego in a day?


Andy

Yes you can Andy. Sleep is highly overrated

If it should materialize, bah humbug on a hill climb just before the national tour. Blow your engine on the hill and miss the tour. Wrong scenario. Not my idea of fun.
Ed aka #4

It is unfortunate timing Ed. Virginia City as a background for a hill climb would be great, but doubtful I could attend both. F.A.S.T. is technically a Model A thing so scheduling is probably not going to take MTFCA events into consideration. I’ve pretty much committed to having the Mercury ready for June.


Andy

Where can I find more info on the tour, like what qualifies or disqualifies a car, location and is there camping near by. I looked at the web site but was not able to find any info. Thanks

Which tour? The speedster info usually comes out in the new year. You could contact them through their website for the rules.

Andy

Thanks Andy

The Endurance Run is for pre 1928 speedsters and race cars only. The accompanying Lowland Tour is open to all pre war (WWll) cars.

Ed aka #4

Wow, heard some stuff detailing next years SCVMTFC Endurance Run. Sounds like the new chairman is reviving some of the great things of the early
runs, and among other thing's, it sounds like it's going to be a real "ENDURANCE" run. Can't wait to hear more.

Ed aka #4

Hope to hear details.

Tim

Sunday, June 9th, the SCVMTFC 53rd Annual Endurance Run and Lowland Tour begins and ends on the beautiful VA Medical Center campus in Palo Alto, CA, departing down the Flag-lined driveway with easy access to the winding Santa Cruz Mountain roads, redwood forests and spectacular ocean views! On Saturday, June 8th, the Tech Inspection offers a great opportunity to catch up with friends, check out each other's cars and enjoy a summertime BBQ and cold drinks. This is a special event, with Veterans from the VA Medical Center, family, friends and enthusiasts gathering to see our cars, mingle and enjoy the festivities. Registration forms and more event information coming soon at www.scvmtfc.org. Stay tuned! Chris

Really great roads back and forth off of skyline. Excellent endurance run territory.

Andy

I remember going through Santa Cruz, then up the Santa Cruz Mountains and Skyline, ducking off down into Woodside one Endurance Run about thirty years ago! The finish was still in Santa Clara that time, but Santa Clara since has become less fun to drive through. Sounds like next year will be a good one!
Maybe? Probably not. Sure would love to go again.

good stuff Chris. sounds like you are off to a great start.

Tim

One year we went through a back gate of Big Basin park and took a fire road through the park. Looking forward to this run.


Andy

Wayne, you can do it, you've done it before. Get the lead out and.........you'll be glad you did, You'll really enjoy this one.

Ed aka #4

Thanks to everyone for their comments and interest in our 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run and Lowland Tour, June 8-9, 2024. It's exciting to hear the chatter build. We expect to have information on our website mid-January, including registration forms and information on local accommodations. I do want to share with everyone that I took a drive last week to "road test" some of the possible routes. My reaction after spending the day up and down these beautiful roads? Wow! Not only are they fun to drive, the views are truly breathtaking. I'm not going to spill the beans, but a word of advice; if you haven't already, get your speedster tuned up and in tip top condition. You'll be glad you did! Stay Tuned!

Some video footage of last years event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2b_5QRNi3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3OuDeaZoWU

Breaking News! Registration Forms and information are now available on www.SCVMTFC.org website for the 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run & Lowland Tour.

There’s never been a better time to dust off your time machine and show off your driving skills. This year’s endurance run is open to ALL speedsters of the era from 1900 through 1927. And, if you’re wondering if you and your speedster have the “Right Stuff,” you do! While we encourage all participants to present their speedsters as they would have appeared during the era represented, components like hydraulic brakes, all types of carburation, alternators and the like are accepted. All speedsters, of course, will be required to meet all safety requirements as listed on the Self Check Inspection Form.

This year’s event is on track to be truly spectacular! The route through the Santa Cruz Mountain Range will take you on some of the most beautiful roads in the world. Imagine motoring up winding roads amongst the giant redwoods and heading down to the coast for breathtaking ocean views. You’ll even pass through historic towns and villages on roads older than your speedsters.

The day before the main event is our Tech Inspection at Bertolotti’s Garage, where you can catch up with old friends, make new friends, enjoy a delicious barbecue and tour Bertolotti’s amazing collection of vintage automobiles.

Sunday morning, we gather at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, for the main event. U.S. veterans, families, friends, and Lowland Tour participants will all be there to cheer on the speedster drivers and riding mechanics. Our opening ceremony will include the presentation of the American flag by a fully uniformed color guard in period dress and a guest singer to lead us in our National Anthem. Then we will hear the words we’ve all been waiting for: “Drivers, start you engines!” Can you hear it? That’s the roar of all those mighty speedsters as they eagerly await the drop of the green flag!

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate our 53rd year of this truly amazing event! Don’t keep it a secret. Tell your family and friends where you’ll be in June and bring them along to be a part of history in motion. See you there!

Chris Bhirdo
Chairperson, SCVMTFC 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run & Lowland Tour
cbhirdo@gmail.com
(408) 505-0153

Rare sighting in Northern California along the 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run & Lowland Tour route!
https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/download/f ... &id=182149

MORE BREAKING NEWS!

We just finalized hotel arrangements with Motel 6 Sunnyvale - North. The hotel is conveniently located halfway between Bertolotti’s Garage in Santa Clara and the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto. A quick drive down Central Expressway easily takes you to each location without having to use the Freeway. In addition to having a large parking lot, street parking is also available on the weekend.

We are looking forward to seeing you and your speedster! And as Tom Bodett would say; “We’ll leave the light on.”

Chris Bhirdo
Chairperson, SCVMTFC 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run & Lowland Tour
(408) 505-0153
cbhirdo@gmail.com
www.SCVMTFC.org

Hope to see you all there.

John, are you coming??? That'll complete the package!

Ed aka #4

I've never been more excited about an event as I am about this year's Endurance Run & Lowland Tour, hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club. This year's event starts on Saturday, June 8th, with our Tech Inspection and a fully catered BBQ at Bertolotti's Garage in Santa Clara. John Bertolotti has opened up his collections for participants and guests to see and enjoy. Even if you've seen the collection before, it's well worth seeing again and sharing the experience with family and friends.

This year's TI will be focused on safety and reviewing the Self Inspection form you filled out with your registration packet. Think of it as spending time with your friends who help and advise so you can have fun on the run and not have to worry about a missing cotter key or broken exhaust hanger.

Come for the fun and spin the "Wheel of Fortune" to win a prize! Oh, and don't forget about your Pole Position. That's right, we will be drawing numbers for Pole Position again this year. Get ahead of your friends even before the Green Flag drops! And did we mention food? We are serving up true Texas BBQ from Armadillo Willy's to fill you up for the next day.

Sunday morning, we gather at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto at the break of dawn. Veterans, families, friends and local community, will all be there to see your cars and hear the roar of the engines. Participants of the Lowland tour will also gather to show their cars and cheer on the speedsters as they depart and head for the hills!

We are grateful and honored to share the beautiful campus with the VA Medical Center and the Veterans they serve. Our opening ceremony includes a fully uniformed color guard presenting our flag and our special guest, John Licea, who will lead us all in singing our National Anthem. What a tribute to our men and women who served our country!

And we're off! The green flags drops and swoops back and forth as the speedster roar to life and head down the flag lined driveway. What a sight to see! You really don't want to miss it. This year's route is truly spectacular and will test the muster of the drivers and riding mechanics and the automobiles they pilot. Beautiful winding roads take you through the redwood forests and down to spectacular views of the California coastline and back up again. Along the route you'll be passing through small towns, rich with history and abundance of charm, with great photo opportunities. That's all we can say for now. The route will remain under lock and key until Sunday morning.

What about the Finish Line? We will be waving the checkered flag at the entrance to the VA Medical Center, underneath the giant American Flag. When all speedsters are accounted for, Including those who may have ended up on one of the Trouble Trailers, we wrap up the festivities with our awards ceremony. We are also planning a victory lap for the winners! (If they still have the energy, and gas in the tank, to do it...)

And Cake! Did we mention cake? We are planning on having plenty of cake on hand for dessert to award everyone who joins us for the 53rd Annual Endurance Run & Lowland Tour!

So, how about it? Are you in? Don't hesitate. Sign up now at www.SCVMTFC.org.

See you in June!

Chris Bhirdo
Chairperson, SCVMTFC 53rd Annual Endurance Run & Lowland Tour

Our friends at SFS Bay Area just applied this to my van to help promote our endurance run this year. Doesn't it look great?

It’s almost ready, if Chip Foose shows up. I might be finishing in the parking lot ala the Jorgensons.

Andy

Looks great! Reminds me of our “Put Together” Model T. We finished putting it together in just over 15 minutes. So, you should be good!

Just got my entry confirmation, I better get crackin.


Andy

F.A.S.T. is not just for Model A's. It is open for all pre- 1934 cars and trucks. We all know that it is almost impossible to schedule an event on a weekend when nothing else is going on. In this case we worked closely with the Board of Tourism for Virginia City. This was the only date that we could fit in. Remember the city makes it's living from tourism and is very supportive of this new event. We hope it is a fantastic success and becomes one of the "must attend" events on the West coast. We hope we will be able to expand the weekend with more hill climbs and other events. As it becomes more successful (read that as more participants and spectators) we might be able to move to a different weekend. We try to look at all the old cars events that are taking place before we schedule our events. It would be great for people from all over to have the Virginia City Hill Climb marked on their calendar a year in advance. You could even take some rust from that pile out behind the garage and create a vehicle just for our event. Remember, you don't need an 20 galleon gas tank to go one tenth of a mile. So how about it! If you don't want to take a chance of not being able to run the 53rd Annual Speedster Endurance Run just come up an watch us have fun. Remember, we are running on the city streets- just on block from the main street. I participated in your event years ago and hope to next year!
Thanks, Steve Straw

Steve, It sounds like an exciting event. You hit the nail on the head, it's all about participation, and the more the merrier! We're also looking to have a great turnout this year. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Chris,
Does anyone have the ability to live stream the start?

Tim