The open road... It's a dream for many of us, and despite the fact that it's not that open after all with traffic and speed limits, it still has a lot of appeal. Places like Arizona where the scenery is magnificient with a lot of open space bring us close that dream...

Friday at the Challenge Championship was rally time which doesn't mean drive flat out like they used to do in the classics of the 50s and 60s; it just mean take your Jaguar out on a road, follow directions and given speed to make it thru check points a set times. And of course, gather a few bugs on the windshield, some dirt here and there and brake dust on front wheels... a nightmare for trailer queen owners...

JCNA clubs have been holding rallies for year, probably as long as Concours d'Elegance. Most are lucky to have great roads to hold rallies, others like my own club in South Florida are left out with dreaming about taking it to scenic places where the hills are not just landfill and turns are more than on ramps to congested highways...

North / Central Arizona is certainly a great place to go rallying, especially in the spring when it's not too hot. It's also a pretty easy because of the limited number of roads... less chances to get lost. It doesn't mean the navigators have nothng to do because they still have to figure out elapsed times, speeds, etc...

To simplify things and not have to deal with trying to keep up a certain speed while exiting Phoenix, the start of the rally took place at a gas station on the edge of the city, at the start of the Bee Line Highway which heads out to the north and higher elevations. Some 50 jaguars gathered in the parking (yes it was big enough) waiting to be sent out at 1 minute interval after receiving route instructions.

The first stage took us on Hwy 87, a nice 4 line divided highway heading north toward Payson and Sedona, a great road with plenty of scenery changes. Unfortunately, an 18 wheeler chose that same morning to flip over and completely block the road for an hour giving us plenty of time to study the desert flora. Only 5 or 6 cars made it thru before the wreck, therefore eliminating the first stage from the results. Teh good news is that it gave us the freedom to speed up and attempt to make up for lost time; 87 with long sweepers and plenty of elevation changes is a great road for that. Traffic was non existent since everybody had been held up for so long.

After passing the first check point in Payson, the desert gave way to more mountains and pine forests;.altitude meant cooler weather, always welcome in an older Jaguar. Little traffic allowed drivers to really enjoy this section which took us to check point nr 2 just off I17 south of Sedona. From there more back roads took us toward Sedona and its incredible red roack formations with the finish taking place at the Red Rock State park where lunch was served at one of the picnic pavillion.

Because of the late time after the road closing in the morning, most decided to head straight to Phoenix on the interstate but some of us decided to take the long way home with an even more scenic road thru Jerome, Prescott and Wickenburg. Before heading out, we went up a few miles into Sedona to see the fabulous red rock formations which surrounds the town. Then, we headed south towards Jerome, a little town anchored of the side of the mountain. The town and the road leading to it, with its hairpins, has a European flair; well worth the detour. No time to stop and exlore though but we did stop a few minutes just past Jerome at a view point along the road offering a breathtaking view of the valley below.

More driving followed, climbing to the top of the mountain at about 7500' before descending toward Prescot. Again, terrific roads through the pine forest enjoyed by all in our small group. After Prescott, the roads went thru more hills and mountains snaking along canyons but all very smooth... perfect e-type prowling territory!

This very enjoyable drive put us a bit behind for the Western Experience dinner taking place on the other side of Phoenix at an old ghost town complete with building, steam train and actors in period costume. We arrived there just in time for a demonstration of the old west justice system when a well known JCNA member was arrested at gun point, thrown in jail, tried and found guilty.... more on that later!

The Western style buffet was great, set up in a large outdoor coral overlooking the valley and city light. Food was abundant and delicious with live entertainement. A perfect ending to a fun day!