Carolina British Classics XV - 2023

 Friday March 31, 2023

Finally, the long anticipated first event of the year is here - the Carolina British Classics show in Columbia/Cayce, SC.  We met up in Athens, GA with 7 other LBCs and 2 non-British cars from the Peachtree MG Registry for a caravan to Columbia.  Of the 8 LBCs, no two were the same color!

From Athens we made our way along the backroads to Washington, GA where we took a short break at the historic Fitzpatrick Hotel.  We then continued on to our lunch stop at 3 Marias Mexican restaurant in Saluda, SC.  This is a permanent food truck with covered outdoor seating and good, authentic Mexican food.

After a good, filling lunch, it was on to Columbia, SC, check in our hotel and R&R before the show tomorrow morning.

Saturday April 1, 2023

It was a short drive to the speedway.  The speedway is a 1/2 mile track that was one of the early NASCAR tracks from the '40s - '70s.  Richard Petty drove his first race here in 1958.  Today, the track is an event center hosting various events on its 9 acre infield.  Today, it is the Tartan Day South Festival honoring the traditions of the UK.  Along with all sorts of Scottish athletics, food, dancing, music and crafts, there is a British car show.  Because of the threatening weather and short rain, there were many no-shows, but those that did come had a great time and there were lots of nice cars.  

Here you can see an MG Magnette, a nice Morris Traveler and an even nicer MG Midget!

Here is one of the more unusual cars, an MGB 4X4!

During the show, one of the Aiken Sheriff's Pipes and Drums came by to serenade our Midget!  Lots of bagpipe music today!

Here is an attempt at a overall shot of the field with the cars in the foreground and the festival tents in the background.  You can also see some of the old racetrack.  

 

It was a fun event and even a short rain did not dampen our spirits!  The Peachtree MG Registry had a good showing, taking home 3 firsts and 3 seconds!  

After a uneventful drive home, it was time to clean up the car and get ready for our next two events which are in Florida - Brits on the Bay in Pensacola and the GOF South in Gainesville.