2017 Tour d'Orange

This is the most fantastic event of the year. In the past they staged in Costa Mesa but that site is no longer available. Last year it was Aliso Viejo in Orange County. I'll update this as I obtain more information. Due to the wide spread presence of our members I suggest you meet at locations in your geographical area and caravan to the staging area.

I will meet at the Green River exit off the 91 freeway next to Starbucks at about 6:30 a.m. Last year we had 17 people, some of which I had never met. We then caravan on an empty freeway to our destination. Some say that was the most fun of all.

I reset the start time to a more acceptable 7:30 a.m. for those who are not meeting at Green River so you can meet in your area early enough to get a good parking spot at the staging area and see as many of the cars as possible.

I like to arrive at the staging area no later than 7:30 a.m. to look at all the cars. In the past there has usually been about 500. At Aliso Viejo I never received a count but suspected more than 300. It increases every year. They only set that location 36 hours before the event and many didn't hear about it.

There are a wide variety of vehicles from exotics, kit cars and vintage racers. 54 from our club signed up. The Corvette and Porsche clubs show up in force. There were Mustangs everywhere. You don't have to have anything special as all are welcome. My Son brought his Fiesta ST. One year I saw a smart car. A few years back I saw 4 guys in a beat up old import with a donut for a tire. They had fun until the sheriff pulled them over for an inappropriate right turn across four lanes in front of me. Better them than I.

The tour departs at 9:00 a.m. They do a 70 mile loop of Orange County including Laguna Beach, Laguna Canyon, South Orange County including El Toro Road and Santa Marguerite Parkway. We then proceed into the Orange County Canyons including Live Oak passing Cooks Corner and on to Santiago Canyon. You get to drive amongst the beasts so to speak.

We have met in the past at In and Out Burger in Tustin. Not sure that will be the destination this year. Usually about 250 cars make it to the end. The tour takes about 2 hours depending how you address the event. I like to start in the middle or back and move through the pack though I usually get excited and get off quickly. Depending on the location it can be similar to a Le Mans start so be careful.

I will post more information as I obtain it. Hope to see all of you at this years event.