Premier previews the 1st Annual Southwest Passage Rally
September 27-October 2, 2015
Santa Fe Concorso, Taos, Telluride, Gateway Canyon and 1OOO miles of driving fun in the mountains of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico!
Where: Starting and ending at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, staying three nights at The Peaks in Telluride, plus driving through the San Juan, Chuska and Rocky Mountains on smooth but twisty, two-lane blacktop.
When: Sunday, September 27 through Friday, October 2, 2015.
Information: www.vintagerallies.com
Contact: [email protected], 860-364-0311.
Cost: $6,000 per couple, all inclusive.
Eligibility: Limited to 50 sports, racing or GT cars built 1990 or earlier, or any exotic vehicle.
Image Source: 1980 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA RS (Jean Constantie)
Overview: Rich and Jean Taylor have organized 85 1000-mile rallies over the past 23 years and raised over $2-million for charity in the process of having a good time with vintage cars. Vintage Rallies events are all-inclusive, with luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, fun things to see and do. Everything is handled for you, including luggage, experienced mechanics and free loaner vintage sports cars if your rally car breaks. Your only personal expense is gasoline for your car!
Sunday, September 27
During the day, from 1O:OO to 4:OO, we can attend the Santa Fe Concorso held in the Club at Las Campanas. This year’s celebrity guests are Sir Stirling Moss and Luigi Chinetti, Jr. After the show, we’ll adjourn to a nearby private estate owned by Vintage Rallies friends for cocktails and our rally meeting.
Dinner will be in downtown Santa Fe. We’re staying overnight at newly-renovated La Fonda, a classic 1922 luxury hotel located on the historic Plaza in downtown Santa Fe. Secret Tip: The Bell Tower Lounge at La Fonda is the best place in Santa Fe to watch the sunset. Try a Bell Ringer Margarita!
Santa Fe is easily reached from I-4O or I-25. We can safely leave tow rigs for the week. If you’re flying in, we’ll pick you up at Santa Fe Municipal Airport or Albuquerque International Sunport anytime after Friday noon. Jean Taylor has booked rooms starting Friday night, and we urge you to arrive early to tour around this captivating city. Call her asap.
Among the many things to see in Santa Fe are the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, 161O Palace of the Governors, 161O Mission San Miguel, Railyard Art District, Canyon Road Art District and 1869 Cathedral of St. Francis, made famous by Willa Cather’s 1927 novel based on the life of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, Death Comes for the Archbishop.
Monday, September 28
We’ll rally North through Kit Carson National Forest on our way into Southern Colorado. We’ll stop for lunch in Victorian Durango before heading through the San Juan National Forest on the famous Million Dollar Highway to Telluride, Colorado. Our destination is The Peaks Resort & Spa.
A four-star Grand Hotel overlooking Mount Wilson in the heart of the Rockies, The Peaks offers the newest and largest Spa in Colorado, Indoor/Outdoor heated pool, golf, tennis and all the expected luxury hotel amenities. Downtown Telluride is just a short gondola ride away. Dinner and Overnight at The Peaks.
Tuesday, September 29
We’ll explore new trails to the North and West, driving through Uncompahgre National Forest before visiting fabulous Arches National Park. We’re planning lunch at The River Grill, part of exclusive Sorrell River Ranch. After lunch, we’ll circle back to Telluride over more terrific Rocky Mountain roads. Dinner will be in downtown Telluride; Overnight at The Peaks.
Wednesday, September 3O
We’re off to the Northeast, heading through Grand Mesa National Forest to our checkpoint at Big Powderhorn Ski Area. Then we’ll wind our way on rural farm roads to the unexpectedly posh Gateway Auto Museum. Lunch will be overlooking the Palisades at Gateway Canyon. After lunch, we’ll twist our way South back to Telluride on Highway 141, one of the best sports car roads in the world. Dinner and Overnight at The Peaks.
Thursday, October 1
We’ll rally South through the mountains to the famous artist colony of Taos, New Mexico. Of course, we’ll visit the historic Taos Pueblo before enjoying lunch in downtown Taos. After lunch, we’ll take the marvelous “back road” to Santa Fe. Overnight will be at La Fonda; our Western Chic Victory Banquet will be in downtown Santa Fe.
Friday, October 2
After a lavish cowboy-size breakfast, Southwest Passage is over till next year…except for new friends and great memories!
Image Source: 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Testa Rossa, Rob & Patricia Moler (Jean Constantie)
For more information contact Rich Taylor at [email protected] or 860-364-0311.