CANADIANS FARE WELL AT CALIFORNIA CAR EVENT
North Vancouver’s RX Autoworks claims big prize for its Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B
Last weekend I was on the Monterey Peninsula in California to celebrate the 35th anniversary of my parents bringing my brother and I to the historic races at Laguna Seca racetrack.
I also went to Pebble Beach where the team at North Vancouver’s RX Autoworks made Canada proud by winning best of show with their freshly restored Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta.
Best of show at Pebble Beach is really a big deal in the automotive collecting world. Two locals served as judges: former Province columnist Nigel Matthews and John Carlson, president of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada.
At the historic races at Laguna Seca, Canada — and B.C. in particular — were well represented with a number of drivers, including longtime friend Ivan Lessner and his beautiful 1948 Austin Healey 100-6.
It was also a delight to see Cal Meeker charging hard in his 1979 Tyrell 009 Formula One car as well as placing third in his newly acquired 1987 Spice GTP race car. The big Canadian winner was the thundering 1959 Sadler MK 4 that was built by Canadian Bill Sadler and won the Group 3A race.
Ultimately the big winners of any of these events are the fans who get to see some amazing automotive history. A volunteer worker told me there were 150 unique positions filled by volunteers over the weekend. This weekend, take your kids to the beach and take a walk down to the Crescent Beach Concours d’Elegance in Surrey. If we want to continue enjoying our auto hobby we need to bring the younger crowd with us to car events. And don’t forget to thank all the volunteers who make our hobby possible.