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As XKs Unlimited's representatives at the 2005 Challenge, my wife La Vonne and I took flight early on Wednesday, September 21st. We arrived in Atlanta at 4:00 p.m. local time and made our way north on I-85 to Brazelton and the host hotel, the Chateau Elan. The attendant at the Enterprise counter assured me "You can't miss it." Sure enough, he was right.
Each time I travel to the South, I'm struck by the lush surroundings. While most everything at home on California's Central Coast had browned with the summer, Georgia remained green. Of course the price paid is "double-double" temperature and humidity levels, but both were bearable.
Chateau Elan was a first-class facility for the weekend. A gracious, friendly staff, well-appointed rooms and good food place this hotel in the upper echelon I'm sure. In one of the accompanying photos you can see the open-air receiving area and buffet dining room.
After a fine breakfast buffet Thursday morning, we wound our way over hill and dale to find the fairgrounds where the slalom was underway. As the photos attest, there was a wide array of Jaguars on the tight course. With a picnic lunch spread out before us and an abundance of great people and cars, morning quickly disappeared into afternoon, when we were to leave for the evening's activities.
There were four air conditioned tour busses ready to take us on the "Antebellum Experience." We took back highways from Brazelton to Madison, winding through some of that aforementioned green countryside dotted with rolling farm land and small towns. Madison is one city that General Sherman sparred during his march to the sea. If you will recall your U.S. history, Sherman and his Union soldiers razed everything from Atlanta to Savanna, effectively cutting the battle ground in half. Many of the beautiful plantation- type (Antebellum) homes were destroyed, but Madison was spared. As the photos depict, these graceful old residences still stand majestically in this quiet southern town.
That evening, after a walking tour through four of these homes, we were treated to an outdoor supper of Bar-B-Q pork and chicken with all the fixin's -- including the requisite peach cobbler, of course.
On Friday, my wife and I took off for a self-guided tour of the surrounding area. All day long we could hear the sound of racing engines being put to the test in the distance, and since I knew Road Atlanta race track was nearby, we set off to find the source the sounds. After a couple of wrong turns, we came across the sprawling facility. I pleaded our case with the gate attendant. "We're from California," I said, "and have always wanted to see this race track. Won't you please let us in?" And, sure enough, she was gracious enough to give us a one-hour pass!
On the track, a few teams were testing for the Petit Le Mans races coming up at the end of September. Although we were unable to see much action, I was able to get a few photos of the cars at speed. On Friday evening we ducked out of the official schedule to meet with La Vonne's nephew and his wife for dinner, down the road in Norcross.
Saturday we set up our catalog display adjacent to the show grounds for the concours. As co-hosts and primary sponsors of the concours, I was pleased to see such a strong turnout, with Jaguars from all eras. The photos don't do the hardware justice, I know, but imagine yourself in a Turkish sauna while viewing all this beauty. Jaguar Cars brought the new XK for everyone to ogle. I must say the car is very striking in person. The traditional lines have been brought forward to move the evolution along.
The weekend's finale was a formal sit-down dinner. This year's guest speaker was Ian Callum, head of design at Jaguar. For those who didn't get a chance to see the new XK at the show grounds earlier in the day, the latest cat was brought into the dining room for all to inspect up close. After listening to Mr. Callum, I believe Jaguar design is in very capable hands.
It was a busy weekend, but my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the other guests. We look forward to seeing those who can make it west for the Western States event in Bend, Oregon, July 11-14, 2006!
Dave Light
XKs Unlimited Marketing Manager/Club Liaison
