This past Saturday, September 19, over 60 classic and vintage cars took part in Oxford Community Center’s (OCC) inaugural Charity Road Rally. The vehicles gathered at OCC, where they received a home-cooked breakfast, courtesy of Fred Zell, owner of Prestige Auto Vault. The rally then traveled 62 miles to 98 Cannon Riverfront Grill restaurant in Chestertown, where awards and gourmet box lunches were given out. Winners had to identify various items along the route to score points.
Zell, who also sponsors the monthly Cars & Coffee at OCC, said that the idea for a rally started at these meetings. “We’ve been having more and more people show up each month. So, the thought came to us to try to do a COVID friendly road rally because people are pent-up up at home and frustrated that there have been no events for their cars.”
The popularity of this rally, however, was a surprise even to him. “We initially had hopes of getting 20 or 30 cars,” he said, “then 40 signed up, then 50 signed up, and all of a sudden 60 signed up. We’re very delighted at the response. We got a variety of cars from the early 1900s up to present-day cars, sports cars, convertibles, etc. It’s such a pleasure to get out over 60 cars and some 127 participants, and have a beautiful day for it. So, this is really special.”
Looking around as the cars were lining up pre-start, was OCC board member Byron “Brud” LaMotte. “After so many events at OCC were canceled,” he said, “we kind of came up with ways to have some fun activities where people would still be socially distant and have fun with old cars. The rest kind of happened.”
Tom Costigan and his wife Pat stood by their Triumph Spitfire waiting for the rally to start. “When this idea first got floated out there, it was ‘well, yeah, probably might be fun.’ And then the avalanche came! The outpouring of cars out here is just amazing. And the quality of it as well. It’s all pretty spectacular.” Costigan hopes it will be an annual event.
Liza Ledford, Executive Director of OCC, might just be making that hope a reality. “What a day,” she said. “The cars were incredible, and each driver was ready to roll! It was a blast to see them pulling out and then again at the finish line. Beautiful weather and excellent breakfast and lunch completed the day. Everyone was very happy, and we are gearing up for next year!”
The winner of the road quiz “All around Best Driver Award” was Joe Robillard, who took home a $100 gift certificate from Doc’s Sunset Grille. Peter Stifel won the “Oldest car to complete the course” with his 1910 Thomas Flyer, and the “Klunker Award” went to Paul Scuderi’s 1973 Triumph Stag. that came across the finish line smoking.
The event was sponsored by Fred Frederick, Koon’s Toyota, Benson & Mangold, Campbell’s Boatyards, Prestige Auto Vault, Doc’s Sunset Grille, Latitude 38, and artist Polly Cox. Proceeds from the rally will help to underwrite the many activities and services OCC provides the community.
Bob Stelmaszek says
I was fortunate to participate in this very well planned and executed event. Organizers Lisa Ledford, Byron LaMott and their associates should be congratulated heartily. One recommendation I’d like to offer is for future events to either avoid rte 50 (especially on weekends) or secure crossings with police traffic guidance. Thanks to all who made this a memorable event that will hopefully be repeated.
Brud LaMotte says
Thanks Bob,
We knew that was a trouble spot which is why we had a state trooper lined up to be on station for safety, but they let us down. Unfortunately we had to cross rt. 50 somewhere. The town policemen was also supposed to be at the OCC exit and he showed up just after we left. Thank you for the input and glad you enjoyed the event.
John Tochko says
The first photograph in the OCC Road Rally shows an upside down Maryland flag being waved at the competitors. This is a common mistake with the MD flag. If folks would just remember that the red and white quadrant next to staff should be on the bottom just like the Stars and Stripes.