TLCA Thanksgiving run

[65swb45]

This was THE premier event of the TLCA back in the 80's, before Rubithon started. It kept on for a while in the '90s,but disappeared. Any chance of it making a comeback, or is this just one more thing that dates me?

 

[Chef]

Hey Mark;
Pre-dates me...who put it on (what chapter hosted)? A first step would be to get in touch with them, or come up with a crew willing to do the work it takes to get ti together...

Tony may know, he's older than me (smack!).

Thanks, Alan

 

[65swb45]

I don't really remember for sure, but I think it was the Ventura Chapter. They were the biggest and oldest chapter of the TLCA, as the founding 4 came from there. John and Melissa Fulton were among them.

I don't even know if there is a Ventura chapter any more.

 

[Chef]

No current Ventura Chapter listed. I'll see if I can find last time they were?

 

[Otis]

Mark,

I was on that run with you...I guess I am getting old also...The So Ca TLCA club now has an informal Thanksgiving run each year out at Truckhaven Hills. It is a great place to off road in both stock and modified trucks. You, and anyone else, are welcome to join us.

I thought that this article from the April 1988 Off Road magazine might interest some people. I also have magazine articles of the 1st and 3rd Rubithon's. If anyone wants me to scan and post them, let me know. The article is here:

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

 

[Chef]

That article post-up was cool as heck, thanks!

 

[hatfieldcb]

That is WAY cool! Brian Schreiber, hmmm. The name sounds familiar. I know Rising Sun was formed in 1981 and TLCA tried to recruit us back in the 80's to become a chapter (before my time). Didn't happen until the late 90's It sure would be cool to see more of this kind of stuff. Especially in Toyota Trails!

Chris

 

[Otis]

Since you guys seemed to like the article, here is another one from the same run:

Page 1 (fullsize)

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

 

[Chef]

12th Annual, in 1988, would make the first one 1976, or right about the time TLCA started, right? That's great stuff!

Mini trucks leading the way even back then (ducking!).

 

[65swb45]

That's some cool chit Otis. Brings back more memories. Daryl Butler coming out from Utah with his full-length hatchback 40 and getting so carried away at the games that he got a concussion and kept trying to complete the course even tho he'd blown the rear pinion!

Or Mike Bennett [the official owner of the 8nojeep licence plate] snapping the
tailshaft on his homemade sm465 conversion.

I think we had our banquet in that same restaurant shown in the mag article.

I remember competing against the Kings red fj40 at the CA4WDC truck show several times.

I dug out some of my old trails last week. So far the oldest I could find was 91.

 

[TRT2]

These types of runs take planning and effort by a dedicated group. I'll bet that for one reason or another, that dedicated group dwindled or other hurdles finally spelled the end of that event.

As Alan notes, it just takes someone to coordinate it all.

Now a days, there are many informal Turkey day type runs, most notable is the DATDR (Day After Turkey Day Run) coined by Morgan a couple years ago. Our club also hosts an informal DATDR run in the SF N. Bay area.

But the key words... 'Before Rubithon'!

The event I miss the most is the Crawdad Poker Run... run outta town by overbearing forest service regulations and other bull jive. I still go up there to fish, camp and wheel... but that event was a lot of fun.

Tony
www.rubithon.com

 

[TUFFTORQ]

Does anyone know if these same trails are open in and around Lone Pine for a decent event? If so, I'd like to check with our club to see if they'd be willing to hold a TLCA event. Maybe next year... Any ideas or suggestions?

This was THE premier event of the TLCA back in the 80's, before Rubithon started. It kept on for a while in the '90s,but disappeared. Any chance of it making a comeback, or is this just one more thing that dates me?

 

[PabloVTA]

Ventura chapter?
did somebody say VENTURA?

we're here...

and yes, I'd love to bring this back.

somebody please help with maps of the old runs, flyers, anything?

 

[65swb45]

Ventura chapter?
did somebody say VENTURA?

we're here...

and yes, I'd love to bring this back.

somebody please help with maps of the old runs, flyers, anything?

Mike Bennett might be able to help with old flyers.

I know where some of the trails in the area are if you want to do some scouting runs in the spring.

We can talk about it at Calico.