The 2009 Canadian Hot Rod Tour “Points East” – Article 1

There was no more appropriate truism for the 2009 Canadian Hot Rod Tour than “the one thing you can never plan for is the weather”. Leading up to our departure, the weather had been shaky at best and the forecast for our route was not much better. Despite that, on departure day, an enthusiastic group representing the first seventy cars assembled in Whitby Ontario with big smiles on their faces (and fingers crossed). As it turned out that day, the crossed fingers did absolutely nothing but the smiles remained that day and throughout the tour – with one major exception. More about that in Article 2.

Day 1: Whitby to Ottawa, Ontario

It had rained overnight and was overcast as we left Whitby but what a fabulous convoy of cars! The planned stops in Havelock and Kaladar went as planned and we picked up five more cars. Unfortunately, shortly after leaving Kaladar, en route to Perth, it started to rain and, by the time we arrived in Perth, it was raining hard. As fate would have it, it continued raining all afternoon and well into the evening – wiping out a planned event at the A&W in Ottawa. Bummer. Wouldn’t you know it though, by about 8:30 p.m. the sun came out.

Thanks to: The women and men of the Perth Curling Club for hosting a welcome soup and sandwich lunch.

Day 2: Ottawa to Riviere-du-Loup Quebec

Our itinerary for Day 2 was a pit stop in Cornwall then stops at the Chateauguay A&W, a visit to the CCR Technologie shop in Delson Quebec (both just south of the river from Montreal), a stop at the A&W in Levis, Quebec and our overnight stop in Riviere-du-Loup. Just before crossing into Quebec, the sun came out and we got to enjoy that beautiful golden orb (for a few hours at least).

At the Chateauguay A&W, we arrived to a nice reception of local cars and spectators and, after a too-short visit (tight schedule to keep) we made our way to the CCR Technologie shop in Delson for our lunch stop / shop tour. Once again, we arrived to a parking lot full of local cars and more great hospitality with lots of great shop projects to see. CCR very generously provided tech help to a number of our participants.

The sun was still shining as we left Delson but not for long. En route to Levis the rain started – hard rain. After Levis, the rain was accompanied by fog which made for very nasty driving. The good news? Everyone made it to Riviere-du-Loup safe and sound.

Thanks to: A&W Chateauguay and CCR Technologie.

Day 3: Riviere-du-Loup to Miramichi, New Brunswick

I could write a complete story about this day but you’re going to have to settle for a very condensed version. Theme of the day: East Coast hospitality. After a stop at the Campbellton New Brunswick A&W, we cruised down into Bathurst for lunch at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. We were honoured not only by the friendly reception of cars and people but by the warm welcome delivered in person by Stephen Brunet – Mayor of The City of Bathurst.

After a police escort out of Bathurst and a short run down to the outskirts of Miramichi, we were met by Brenda and Richard Goguen of the Miramichi Rock and Roll Festival in their pink Caddy. Brenda and Rick passed us off to a Miramichi Chevy SSR police car which led us downtown where we were greeted by a public address system announcement, clapping festival goers and reserved parking in the town square. That evening, the Festival hosted a fabulous reception for us at Miramichi’s Goodie Restaurant with live music and Elvis! (That’s where he went…) A fabulous day overall.

Thanks to: Yvette Lavigne, The City of Bathurst, The Miramich Rock & Roll Festival and Goodie Restaurant.

The Canadian Hot Rod Tour is presented by Canadian Rodder Inc. in conjunction with A&W / Cruisin’the Dub.

Points East was sponsored by: Classic Car Insurance, Performance World, Brightwork Auto Art, Horton Hot Rod Parts and Canadian Hot Rods Magazine.

Photos Row 1: Kickoff in Whitby, the fog en route to Riviere-du-Loup, A&W Chateauguay

Photos Row 1: Arriving at CCR Technologie, Mayor Stephen Brunet of Bathurst NB, Following the Pink Cadillac into Miramichi NB

Check out the Tour DVD, with over 400 slides, HERE

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