The International 190SL Group 2011 convention will be held between September 19 – 23 at The Boars Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Although the convention is being held from Monday evening through Friday morning (to allow both weekends for traveling), if you have the time, we have also planned trips and activities from the preceding Saturday through the following Saturday. Of special note, the annual convention will also, for the first time, host the international convention of the Mercedes-Benz 190SL clubs, and we hope to have 190SL owners joining us from Germany, France, Italy, England and other countries.
Virginia is not only one of the most beautiful states, but is also home to some of the most historic locations in the country. The convention this year will take us from the first English settlement at Jamestown, to the Colonial Capitol at Williamsburg, to the revolutionary war battleground at Yorktown, to the civil war capitol of the Confederacy in Richmond, and then to the Charlottesville area – home of Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence) and James Madison (father of our Constitution). In addition to historic locations, we will travel along some of the most scenic roads in the country – the Colonial Parkway, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive. To compliment the feast for your eyes, we will also be well fed and visit several notable vineyards for samplings of Virginia’s fine wines.
The convention will differ from previous years in several ways. First, we will hold a Before the Ball tour in addition to a shorter After the Ball tour. The second change is the Concours d’Elegance and Peoples Choice competitions will take place on Tuesday afternoon - on the first full day - so that competitors will then be able to enjoy their cars on the driving tours (without worrying about getting them dirty during the remainder of the convention). For those who want to test their driving skills, we will hold a competitive Gymkhana on Tuesday morning. Also, new awards rules are being instituted for the Concours (see the Concours thread), whereby all entrants who achieve a specific point score are eligible to receive awards. Finally, to keep our group together and provide an opportunity to review the next day’s activities, dinner for at least three of the evenings will be provided in the registration fee.
Continue to check the club website for more travel information, registration forms, and links to related websites to help plan your trip. While you’re thinking about it, make your reservations now at The Boars Head Inn to ensure you have a room (you can always cancel later if there is a conflict). If rooms are unavailable at The Boars Head, there are two economical hotels located conveniently nearby (see Lodging thread below).
We have tried to provide many interesting sites and activities during the convention - a “Best of Virginia” sampler - and provide opportunities for a wide range of budgets. Please follow the provided links to help plan your trip and get the most out of your visit. Please also do not hesitate to contact your hosts, Brad and Pam Brady, at 804-364-8330 or bradford.brady@comcast.net to answer any questions and help with your travel plans.
We look forward to seeing you this September in Virginia!