BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
British V8 in W. Va?
Because of the excellent driving roads as well as the scenery we have been discussing this for years and perhaps 2017 is the year to make it happen. Dan B and the West Virginia British Car Club (which is a very strong and active organization just a few years old with a steadily growing membership) have volunteered to support the effort. I have suggested the Oak Hill/ Beckley area as a hub for the meet, and some of us are working on finding a suitable motel.
From the Oak Hill/Beckley area excellent roads radiate out in all directions. For the most part, US Rt. 60 was bypassed by I-64 in the 70's when it linked up with the W.Va. Turnpike (which has some very nice high speed turns all of it's own coming into Beckley from the west). This means that Rt 60 between Charleston and Lewisburg sees reduced traffic, which converted the sections over Gauley and Sewell mountains from a primary truck route to an enthusiast's road with the remainder mainly handling local traffic. In fact there is a very nice section west of Lewisburg that is used so little that grass grows in the cracks of the pavement, and this is a Federal 3 lane highway through the mountains with some very memorable curves. To get there from Beckley you would go through Prince to Clifftop and on to Rt 60, turning right and heading down into Rainelle: [www.google.com] Between Clifftop and Rt 19 headed west is a rollercoaster if you like that sort of drive and between Rt 60 and Fayette Station to the south are a couple of tight twisties that make a decent short loop and ultimately give access to the "Ram's Horn" clifftop over the Gorge with a great view of the best rapids. (access is not marked) To the west, 16 and 61 make up another good loop and you can divert up the river at Deepwater to either cross the river to Kanawha Falls and Rt 60 or go up the mountain and ultimately hook back up with 16, a very twisty road. Here's another good road so I hear. Tazewell VA to Marion on RT 16. Called the "Back of the Dragon": [www.google.com] Then there's the "Claw of the Dragon", reputed to be an all day drive at 224 miles in the same area. This is all about an hour south of Beckley with a goodly stretch of Rt.16 connecting them, in fact 16 runs through Beckley, Oak Hill, Fayetteville, below Hawks Nest Dam and joins US Rt.60 at Chimney Corners. Other than the population centers, an altogether enjoyable road to drive. Of course taking 16 from Beckley to Tazewell is likely to take you more than an hour. Dan B and Ken can suggest some other excellent roads in the area as I know Dan has found some great roads in his recent travels and Ken has been through the area a number of times. I had been trying to remember the name of a particular hotel in the area, and just now found it: The Holiday Lodge and Conference Center [www.holidaylodgeoakhill.com] We had some of the very largest rafting groups use this hotel back in the day and I can vouch that it meets our standards (or at least it did) and if they aren't happy with an autocross (bet they won't complain) there are at least a couple of other good options nearby. And finally, if you allow the extra time or the weather is just too hot there's nothing better for it than making an excursion down the New River, or even just hanging out down on the beach at the Fayette Station rapids down by the rafting take out. Like to hike? There are good trails and lots to see headed up into the Gorge. Horseback trips if you like too. Truly one of the better vacation areas. So how about some feedback? We can do this if enough of you voice your approval. As for me, I spent a dozen years in the area and have wanted to go back ever since so I just know you're gonna love it. Jim |
Scott68B Scott Costanzo Columbus, Ohio (561 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:30AM Main British Car: 1968 MGB GM 5.3 LS4 V8 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
As long as none of the activities involve bending over, definitely count me in! :)
Seriously, it sounds like a tremendous amount of fun! Can't wait! Scott |
RMO 699F Mike Maloney SW Ohio (531 posts) Registered: 12/09/2007 12:28PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB Sebring GT, 3.9 Rover V8 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
As I have discussed with you and Dan in the past, I consider this part of the country sports car heaven...going back @ 35 years ago I used to tow a Palamino pop up camper with my Dodge Omni and spent a lot of time with family and kids at Pipestem resort campground and the surrounding area...route 19 is Gods country with great sports car roads...I'm in!.
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kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Sounds like a great place to host V8 2017. Go For It ! SAFETY FASTER!
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MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
I feel like an autox or track day is mostly to make up for Meets that do not have the roads & scenery that make for great LBC drives. Meets in Townsend, Colorado Springs, West Virginia, & others like that have so much to offer I see no reason to waste any of the precious three days or so that we have with playing in a parking lot.
Let's spend the timeout on the roads (safely, of course) & enjoy the countryside! |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1165 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
I'd seriously consider a white water rafting excurson just to break up the backroads driving experience - in any event, it sounds like a very promissing venue....count me in!.
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lawnvett PJ Lenihan Winston-Salem, NC (477 posts) Registered: 04/29/2009 11:37AM Main British Car: 74 MGB-GT 3.4 V-6 crate, 5 spd |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
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TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
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MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Whitewater rafting? Haven't done it in 30 years. Gonna have the Chiropractors & Masseuses ready for us at the end of the run? :)
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Don't necessarily have to run the gorge. A float trip from Prince to Thurmond or from Sandstone to Prince is also an enjoyable day on the river with a few small rapids (up to class 3) just for fun. I suspect we could press my old raft into service for that. But there is plenty of time to sort it out.
I dashed off an inquiry email to the hotel, haven't heard back yet. Probably should follow up with a call next week. Jim |
Dan B Dan Blackwood South Charleston, WV (1007 posts) Registered: 11/06/2007 01:55PM Main British Car: 1966 TR4A, 1980 TR7 Multiport EFI MegaSquirt on the TR4A. Lexus V8 pl |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Oak Hill Holiday Inn may not be in that great of shape. Unless they have remodeled, it was pretty run down the last time I stayed there. But there are several other hotels within an hour of that area which could be suitable. There certainly is no shortage of fun sportscar roads!
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Dan. the Holiday Inn is closed with no plans to remodel. It wasn't the place I was thinking about anyway. Have a look at:
[www.holidaylodgeoakhill.com] That's the one I was trying to remember. It'd be worth getting someone to run by and have a look. Home the moving is going well. Jim |
donfaber Don Faber Terra Alta WV (111 posts) Registered: 10/31/2007 10:53PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB 3.9L Rover V8 |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
i spoke to a cousin who lives in Lewisburg (WV) - he suggested speaking to local Chamber of Commerce (Lewisburg, Beckley, Oak Hill) - is that something others have done in the past? I'd guess that depends on quality of local chambers. MIght be worthwhile in looking at dates. hotels, etc. I have no problem contacting a few folks...
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
I talked to the Holiday Lodge today and they are interested.
Rick, what would you suggest as the number of rooms to be held in reserve for us? Jim |
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Might be. We used it for large groups back when I was running whitewater. It is in a good location.
Dan, do you think someone from the WVBCC could swing by and see what condition it is in, and what the rooms look like? Jim |
mowog1 Rick Ingram Central Illinois (1523 posts) Registered: 10/17/2007 09:36PM Main British Car: 1974.5 MGB/GT 3.9l Rover |
Re: British V8 in W. Va?
Let me know when you are ready to contract and I'll give you some guidance.
As for the number of rooms...I would block out at least 60 and continually stay in contact with the hotel regarding room pickups...we ended up using more than we originally contracted for with 2015...but the hotel worked with us and gave everyone the contracted rate and applied room utilization to our obligations. |