2022 VanDusen ABFM in Vancouver BC

[stugilmour]

Just completing my Plus 2 preparations for the VanDusen All British Field Meet on Saturday May 21st 2022.

Stella is finally ready to go. Yesterday she passed her spring inspection by our local sports car club, although she benefited from a bye on the handbrake test.

This year is shaping up to be a great show. We have an impressive 50 Lotus entries, which represents over 10% of the 450 cars. The Lotus Club of BC has a full weekend planned. Really looking forward to meeting up with several other Plus 2 owners.

I will be leaving Calgary next week for the show. The Trans Canada highway thru the Rockies is closed for construction, so my planned route follows the southern Crowsnest Pass Highway 3. The journey will be approximately 800 miles over two days.

A great trip through the historic Kootenay region. Route includes several challenging mountain passes through the Rockies and Selkirks. The region has a frontier mining history. Early transportation included a fascinating mix of railways and paddle wheelers.

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Hoping to post a few travel updates. Looking forward to seeing lots of show pictures from other attendees. All the best to everyone planning their trip.

[Mazzini]

Good luck and I look forward to reading your posts and seeing the photos.

[gjz30075]

Sounds like fun Stu. I'm looking forward to reading about it.

[h20hamelan]

I would stay away from Creston Salmo Crowsnest pass (my rad blew- so its cursed for me!). A very tall pass, although it was just paved 2 years ago. The nice twisty ( 3A- Creston through Vernon) drive, though it adds 2.5 hr and the longest free ferry. To me, the hwy 3 is in absurd condition (ask the spring thaw people like David b), because of all the extra truck traffic from the washouts last fall. I would stick to unused/little used highways (even if it takes a few hours longer).

You could keep Banff south through Radium, i just drove this its in good shape.
But then you might consider Vernon-Kamloops and Duffy Lake. But hey, then you’ve hit the best roads in BC! While adding a 1/2 day, but, i suspect your on a two day trip, so only 1/4 extra per day!!!!

Have fun!

[stugilmour]

Stella is finally ready to go. I even have my road snacks figured out.

Stella threw a curve ball on the final test drive. The temperature gauge was reading at the high end of normal, when forever it pegged at mid range while cruising. Luckily I noticed the fuel gauge was also reading distinctly high, well above a full tank.

Turns out the ground & mounting screw on the electronic voltage stabilizer had loosened. I have no idea if I am correct here, but I suspect this failure mode may apply a nominal12 supply to the two gauges? I didn’t check the stabilizer output without the ground but the gauges both simmered down to normal.

Here she is smiling from her spa day.

Stella ready for the dance. All those tools, spares & luggage have improved the rear stance.

Cheers!

[stugilmour]

Excellent first day!

Heading out early morning. Just above freezing and overcast.

This is heading south on the Cowboy Trail, east side of the Canadian Rockies. Famous ranch country. A really pleasant road with fast sweeping corners and magnificent vistas. A C7 ‘Vette led the way at a brisk pace.

The Frank Slide in Crowsnest Pass. Turtle Mountain basically buried the coal town of Frank.

The only real road holdup of the day. Someone towed a mobile home onto a bridge under repair, and then got out the tape measure! We were underway in about ten minutes after he backed off the bridge.

The summit of Kootenay Pass on the Selmo Creston section of Highway 3. Raining at the summit, but lots of winter snow still around.

Stella feeling better on the west side of yet another pass. This pass, although less elevation, was much more challenging, with 2” of accumulated slush on the road. I will never complain about All Season Touring tires in a Lotus again.

Safety arrived at Midway BC. Glad I booked a room, as the small town is full. Midway was actually Mile Zero of the Kettle Valley Railroad, which became a branch line of the Canadian Pacific.

Stella is running great. Really the only issue today is the cord for my beverage cooler is damaged. No big deal as it was more a coffee and hot chocolate day anyway.

More adventures tomorrow.

[h20hamelan]

nice work Stu and Co

why I take a miss on the Paulson and S-C every time, your brave. At least Vernon-Loops you miss the highest.
I bet your return trip will be grand, sun in the future...

Snow in Whistler today

[stugilmour]

Day two was fabulous. Midweek traffic was light, mostly locals driving like they want to get somewhere. Stella ran great, never missing a beat.

Up early and on the road. Orchards and vineyards with mountain backdrops.

A brief pause before heading down the switchbacks to Osoyoos.

One of my best drives through the Hope Princeton. All of the twisties ended up free of traffic. Stopped for a quick picnic breakfast at the roadside.

The weather kicked up again as we approached Hope. Chilliwack for gas and lunch, and clear sailing into the city.

[The Veg]

Wow, I sure do wish I was there driving along with you guys!