Copperstate 1000 by Mark C. Bach

What to do after you buy a collector car? Why you drive them of course! And if you have some free time (and money) you might even go out with others on a rally like the Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000. For 20 years the Copperstate 1000 has been held within the State of Arizona to allow select owners a chance to take their rides out for a spin around the state and enjoy some spectacular scenery and friendship. For four days this April, the rally toured the state with a squad of Arizona Department of Public Safety motorcycle cops as escorts and a flat bed tow truck bringing up the rear. They even have a cargo truck to transport the extra luggage and spare parts that won’t fit in some of these cars.

This year the rally left from Tempe, Arizona on April 11, 2010. The public could cheer them on as they left the staging grounds of a local ball field (idle after baseball spring training). This might be the only chance to see and hear one of these exotics on the open road. Typically the Copperstate 1000 brings out a lot of European sports cars plus some pure American muscle. This year they even had a classic yellow Mini Cooper entered. While the rally does have a competition within it, the atmosphere is more collegial. Some folks can be even spotted applying their vinyl rally decals on their cars the day of the event. Most drivers have folks in the “co-pilot” seat and this year’s trend was pin striping the names of the drivers and passenger on the door sills.

Cars have to be 1973 or older, pass a mechanical inspection and be insured. This is not a race to the finish line (like the legendary Cannonball Rally) so drivers are warned to obey all traffic speed limits and regulations. The entry fee is a steep $5,500 but includes meals and lodging for two for the full rally.

In addition to the rally participants, the promoters set aside some close parking spots for 300 + local car aficionados who bring out their own collector cars for an impromptu, unorganized car show. After all how often can you find a Fiat van driven on the local streets?

The proceeds are used to support a local charity. Check out www.copperstate1000.com for the route they used this year and some photos from past events. It’s always nice to see classic cars being driven and not just stored in some private garage, out of sight of the drooling public.

See ya’ on the road.

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