We will kick off events Friday evening with a cruise-in at the Highlands Historical Society. This event will be a wine and cheese reception featuring entertainment and attractions relating to the history of the Town of Highlands. The cruise-in will provide everyone the opportunity to “meet and greet”, and to tour the interesting attractions at the history center. Registration for all events will be available for late arriving participants. The entrance fee for this event is $15.00 per person.

Saturday

Saturday will feature two events; the car show and the Ladies Poker Run. We have added a number of classes to the car show agenda this year in an effort to recognize and appeal to an expanded array of automobiles. Over thirty awards will be presented to automobiles selected by participant judging. The car show will begin at 10:00 AM, and will conclude at approximately 4:00 PM, following the awards presentations. Food and beverages will be available on site at all times. We anticipate over 125 vehicles will be on display at the car show. Registration is $25.00 in advance and $35.00 on show day. Space for the show is limited, and I encourage you to submit your reservation early.

The Ladies Poker Run, to be held in conjunction with the car show, is an event we started last year that was extremely well received and enjoyed by the spouses. It features a walking tour of participating downtown merchants, all within easy walking distance of the show. The ladies have the opportunity to win some great prizes and visit some of the outstanding Highlands merchants. There is no fee for this event and you may register on the day of the show.

Sunday

Sunday morning we will kick off our annual road rally at 9:30 AM. This event features a competitive contest (trivia; not timing) and a beautiful drive thru the mountains and landmark features of the area. We will stop for brunch during the rally at a noted local restaurant and conclude this event back in Highlands at the Ugly Dog Pub for awards and good times. We anticipate this event will conclude at approximately 1:00 PM. The registration fee for the rally is $20.00 per person; the fee includes brunch and unlimited good times. We are limited to the first 40 registrations for this event. Once again, I encourage you to submit your reservations soon.

The Alfa Romeo, one of Italy’s finest cars, began in 1910. The company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars. The company gained a sporty image to the whole marque when Enzo Ferrari founded a racing team as an Alfa Romeo team in 1929.

Alfa Romeo was imported to the United States by Max Hoffman, in the mid 1950′s. Max Hoffman began the importation of many European cars to the US in the 50′s, including Porsche. Alfa Romeo ceased exporting cars to the US, in 1995. However, in 2008, Alfa Romeo once again began exporting cars to the US, with the introduction of the 8C Competizione model. Starting in 2013, Alfa Romeo plans to mass produce the Alfa Romeo 4C in the US.

Please join us at the Highlands Motoring Festival to view some of the finest Italian cars, both past and present.

Judging classes will include 12 classes ranging from Touring, which will be cars manufactured before 1949 without any apparent body or engine modification, to Special Interest, those vehicles manufactured after 1987 that are special or unique. Special Interest Class cars must be pre-approved for entry to be accepted in this class. Most classes will distinguish between American and Foreign.

In addition to the classes, there will be a seperate class for the Marque of the Year Class, for the 2012 Festival, that will be Alfa Romeo vehicles.

For more information and descriptions, go to the event page. As always, we are open to any questions. So, please leave a comment below.

• Friday night – July 13th- 6:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Wine Social at the Highlands Historical Society
    • Featuring – Local music and entertainment
    • Classic cars
    • Appetizers and drink
• Saturday – July 14th-  10:00 – 4:00
  • Highlands Motoring Festival Car Show
  • Ladies Poker Run
• Sunday – July 15th – 9:30 – 12:30
  • 2nd Annual Road Rally (casual – trivia, not speed)
  • Brunch
  • Awards

The fastest time won a new digital 1:32 slot car set, compliments of O.P Taylor’s Toy Store.  Competition was fierce but the winner was young (8 years of age), Jack Spahr, first time driver.  Talk about Christmas in July.  Watch the video.

• 1954 Jaguar XK 120 – Knight Martorell , Highlands, NC             
• 1947 Dodge D-24 – Grady Hawkins, Hendersonville, NC                     
• 1928 Dodge  – Bill Burson, Hendersonville, NC                            
• 1956 Ford F-100 – Lon Tanner, Cumming, GA                                    
• 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS  – Donald Wilson, Franklin, NC                                 
• 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air  – Chandler Partin, Cleveland, GA                            
• 1948 Chevrolet Panel Van  – Phillip Powell                                                             
• 1970 Chevrolet El Camino  – Nancy Steinman, Seneca, SC                                  
• 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle  – Richard Wolf, Franklin, NC                                   
• 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air – Ted Moon, Commerce, GA                                        
• 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle  – Jim Pollan, Gainesville, GA                                    
• 1933 Chrysler Sedan   - Bryan Hendricks, Highlands, NC                           
• 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air  – Charles Durand, Augusta, GA                                
• 1967 Plymouth Satellite  – Jim Nelson, Marietta, GA                                           
• 1948 Chevrolet Pick Up  – Kathy Erwin, Cornelia, GA                                        
• 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air  - Bill Perry, Franklin, NC                                              
• 1932 Ford 4D  – Johnny Hulsey, Gainesville, GA                                 
• 1955 Chevrolet 150   - Mike McCoy, Mt. Airy, GA                                        
• 1953 Ford F100 – Harold Eidson, Clarkesville, GA                
•  1955 Chevrolet 210 – Kent Garrison,                                                              
• 1966 Chevelle Ricky Boswell, Hull, GA                                              
• 1950 Jaguar Mark 5 – Tim Vos, Highlands, NC
•  1951 Chevrolet Deluxe – Jim Butterworth, Cornelia, GA                                   

1956 Ford F100 – Benny Sutterfield, Cleveland, GA