GT-49 Insider Tips
Reid Trummel
President, Columbia Gorge MG Club
So far we have we outlined the climate, the venue, the roads and the features of this year’s GT based in Welches, Oregon, July 15-19, and how all of that combines to produce an ideal location for a GT. Hosted by the Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Gorge MG Club, we described this area as “sports car heaven.”
Then we described some of the great events that occur just before and just after GT-49, encouraging you to come early and stay late for an extended MG vacation that includes not just GT-49, but also a huge all-British car show, racing at Portland International Raceway, a TSD rally, and a large concours.
Now it’s time to share some insider tips that add still more reasons to attend GT-49 this July.
We’re delighted to announce that Keith Martin, publisher of the popular Sports Car Market magazine (sportscarmarket.com), will attend GT-49 and be the featured dinner speaker on Tuesday of the event. Keith’s wide experience in the collector car hobby and his personal experience of once having owned an MGA will add a new dimension to the week. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet and chat with Keith as he is not just a guest speaker one evening, but he is attending GT-49 and touring with us!
Another special guest at GT-49 is John Twist, a man who perhaps needs no introduction to MG owners and enthusiasts. John will conduct his famous and popular drive-through diagnostic clinic during GT-49, so you can gain an expert opinion and insights on what your MG needs to achieve “greater perfection” as an included part of the event.
We’re also delighted to announce that the Forest Grove Concours d’Elégance (forestgroveconcours.org) that occurs just two days after GT-49 will include a special class for the MGA. This is a display-only class, so there’s no need to fret about your MGA not having concours-perfect paint. Bring your MGA and display it at no charge, enjoy the 300+ cars of the concours, and help promote the MGA and raise awareness of it in the collector car community. Be sure to register for the concours before June 15.
And then there are the roads, and do we have great touring roads! Yes, we mentioned them before, but now we’d like to highlight some of the curated self-guided tours you can enjoy before, during or after GT-49. We don’t call this sports car heaven for nothing.
Our headquarters for GT-49, the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort (www.mthood-resort.com), is located just one minute south of US Highway 26, and heading east of 26 takes you to Mount Hood on a tree-lined forest corridor that brings you to the iconic Timberline Lodge (www.timberlinelodge.com). Constructed from 1936 to 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, it was built and furnished by local artisans during the Great Depression. Timberline Lodge was dedicated September 28, 1937, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is today a National Historic Landmark. It also makes a great lunch destination.
Continuing past Timberline Lodge on Highway 26 brings you to a turn north onto Oregon Highway 35 and into the city of Hood River where you’ll find the spectacular “Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum” (www.waaamuseum.org). The WAAAM has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique airplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. In fact, it has over 130 cars and some impressive motorcycles too. If you don’t get a chance to visit during GT-49, you might want to schedule a stop there on your way home on Friday the 19th. It’s definitely worth a long visit.
There are many other great drives and great destinations in the region, and so don’t blame us if you want to extend your stay or even make plans to return. GT-49 runs Monday-Friday, July 15-19, and it’s now only weeks until all the fun. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Oregon, and our best advice is to arrive ready to immerse yourself in sports car heaven!
