2008 Classics on the James (Richmond VA)

Hello All,

Just a heads up to mark your calendars for the 2008 Classics on the James (Richmond, VA). It is Sunday, September 14th, 2008.

Last year, approximately 70 Ferraris and over 300 cars attended, with this year looking even better. Please look through the thread labeled "Richmond Pic Thread" and see the pictures.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167275

Last year's Saturday night event was a group drive to dinner at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. Many folks drove down the Saturday prior to the show, with accomodations available in the $100/night range at the Crown Plaza Hotel. This years featured marque: Jaguar.

THIS YEARS SATURDAY NIGHT EVENT: A skybox at Colonial Downs for an evening of horse racing with a catered buffet. FREE, as guests of Foreign Cars Italia and Colonial Downs to all Ferrari owners and their guests.

Saturday, September 13th 2008: 6 PM - 8 PM Free skybox and dinner at Colonial Downs
Sunday, September 14th, 2008: 10 AM - 4 PM Classics on the James car show

 

Sounds great!!! If anyone of you guys missed this last year, plan to attend this year. What an awesome event!!! I think I will come down Friday evening again like last year and spend an extra day!!!!

 

I'm in. Last year's show was great; I have to say that w/ the Colonial Downs feature this year, you guys really know how to put on a show and make your guests feel very special. My hat is off to you!

One thing though, my car is not Classiche certified, can I still show????


that was a joke . . . .

So, Toggie; you bringing the E-type or the Ferrari??

 

i'll be back!

 

Carrie and I will be down for the weekend! This one sounds even better than last year, if that is possible!!

Gotta go down Friday night and chill, plenty of good restaurants in walking distances and great atmosphere!


Robert

 

That is if we can get a table! All turned out perfect anyway!!! Improvise with pizza!!!

 

Maybe I'll stay home....

 

I know I will

 

Bryan,

Good question. Both the 430 and E-type would be fun to take tothe Richmond event. It makes me think about which car is easier to drive on a 100 mile overnight trip, has more room for luggage, is more reliable for that length trip, is more fun to have once I get there, etc. Even though the featured mark of the event is Jaguar, I'll probably bring the 430. Maybe I can find a friend to drive the Jaguar and bring both cars.

 

I've heard that Jaguar concours judging can be extremely hardcore - makes Ferrari concours judging look like a day at the beach. "Im sorry Mr. Smith, but your Wilton wool carpets are supposed to be a loop pile, 36 loops per inch, not this 28 loops per inch swill that you have in your poor Jag. Please hand over your keys as you are not worthy to own . . ."

 

My wife and I were there last year and had an absolute blast-fantastic show-we will be back. Maybe this year we will actually have a car to enter-FINGERS crossed.

 

Thanks for all your interest and kind words. Jaguar actually holds a Concours within the show itself and is hard core for sure. They don't even talk to us, they are the "real" car enthusiasts. Nice Aston Martin display, good number of Rolls, Bentleys, MGs, Austin Healeys, Triumphs, etc. Quite decent. I don't even know if I am spelling this stuff corrrectly because I don't leave the Ferrari section!

 

Do you people remember if there is trailer parking??The Barchetta and weather issues make it a must for long out of town trips and stays. Jon in Delaware

 

There is trailer parking, plenty of it. FoW, Foreign Cars Italia and Sport Auto usually bring 18 wheelers and a few others do, too, along with the standard 24' trailers. Plenty of flat, paved, trailer parking within 1/4 mile of the show. Plenty of room to maneuver and offload.

 

I'm in. Looking forward to it. Last year was a blast. Never been to a horse race other than Point to Point - Middleburg, Casanova, etc, or the original Virginia Gold Cup held on the hill in Warrenton. Can't wait to see Colonial Downs.
Ray

 

hmmmm...might bring the Pantera out...hmmmmmm

 

Actually, all European cars are welcome. There have been several over the years.

 

also, the hotel we stay in has a nice garage and the event is right across the street.

 

And a wash station on the roof that came in real handy!!

 

Fantastic, John! Haven't been to a horserace in decades. 2 Eberts and a Dino will be there on Sat.-Sun.

Bill

 

Colonial Downs:
http://www.colonialdowns.com/

10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy
New Kent, VA 23124

About 30 miles east of Richmond on 64.

Ray

 

John,

When does the sign up begin for this?? As I remember last year they were limiting the number of cars. Also do you know what hotel?? I would assume the same one or is there a link to the website?? Thanks.


Robert

 

The Central Virginia British Car Club website says that registration will be available as of July 1. Like most clubs, things administrative tend to run behind because the work is done by volunteers, but here is the link to the webpage. I will watch to see when it is up:

http://www.britishcarclub.com/classics/classics2008.htm

In the meantime... although there are a lot of Ferrari photos on Fchat, the gallery section of the CVBCC has a lot of photos of some of the other marques that come, and it is neat to look at. Some fairly unique displays. This year Jaguar will be having a fully sanctioned Concours d'Elegance. Some nicely done photography:

http://www.britishcarclub.com/classics/pix/show_pix.htm

Finally, the hotel was the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 555 East Canal Street, Richmond, VA 23219, right around the corner from the show field. I am not sure if the block rooms/rates have been established yet. I will check on that also. If it is a Grand Prix weekend, a big screen will be set up in the hotel lounge. Hospitality lounge throughout the weekend, also, with free beer and wine and snacks. The price was reasonable at around $100 per night with segregated, covered, and 24 hour security for parking (with a wash station):

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/riccs;jsessionid=CMDYCSXLTJCICCTGWANCHPQKM0YBWIY4?_requestid=194714

Last years show was one of the best in years and I think the word has spread. It promises to be better as far as all makes are concerned. Group drive Saturday evening September 13th to Colonial Downs for an evening of horse racing with a FREE skybox and dinner (6-8 PM) courtesy of Foreign Cars Italia and Colonial Downs, with the Classics on the James Sunday September 14th (10 AM - 4PM).

 

A BIG thanks to John for the wash station last year!!! As I remember you and another gentlemen ran a hose line 4 stories up the side of the parking garage for us!! Very cool! Thanks a lot for all the info John!


Robert

 

+1----That hose was the longest I had ever seen going uphill, but did the job and worked out perfect!!!!