January 9th, 2010 in Cullman, Alabama was bitter cold with high of only 27 degrees - perfect weather for a Polar Bear Run! It was so cold in fact, that it was the Run that almost didn’t happen. So just what is this Polar Bear Run that I speak of?
Well, the original PBR was started back in 2000 by the Georgia Triumph Association who thought they should take their normally fine weather loving British cars for a midwinter drive. The drive is always run on the last Saturday of the year, rain or shine. While there’s usually a large contingency of TR6’s, everything from TR3’s through TR8’s can be found in that bunch. Many decorate their cars and are decked out themselves in all manner of Polar Bear attire.
Back in 2006 the GTA planned a drive which brought them to Birmingham, AL utilizing only old highways and back roads. In an example of true southern hospitality, the Birmingham British Motoring Club planned a drive of their own, allowing the BBMC to meet up with those die hard sports car fanatics of the GTA at Talladega, and to welcome them. From that point, and after a hardy meal, the drive continued via the back roads to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. In all, an estimated 130 cars participated in the days activities.
The drive was really popular with the BBMC so the following year they held one of their own (the GTA having planned a route that took them through their own state that year.) Other local clubs such as the Porsche Club of America – Alabama Region, the Alabama Chapter of Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Dixie Muscle Cars, the Birmingham Mustang & Ford Club, the Central Alabama Miata Society and many more were invited and it became a popular multi-marque event. In 2008 the drive included two parade laps on the track at Barbers – a big thrill for those who had never had such an opportunity!
This year’s event, however, was a bit different. First, the January 9th, 2010 date meant that there really wasn’t a 2009 PBR. Second, the involvement in organizing the event by other clubs made this more of a group effort than the primarily BBMC planned event. Two members from the MBCA, Jim Roberts and Bob Hinds are credited with charting the route that would begin at Barbers Vintage Motorsports Museum and take us via challenging but well maintained roads to the covered bridges in Blount County and to the 13th century Tuscan pilgrimage “Church of the Blessed Sacrament” near Hanceville. Our ultimate destination was the “All Steak” restaurant in Cullman, known for their delicious orange yeast rolls. Yum!
Rick Teer, President of the PCA was proactive in arranging for the BVMM to be open with restroom facilities available. The PCA even looked as though it was going to have the largest showing with their huge marketing of the event. Something else that would be new this year was the invitation of even more clubs, including the Alabama Sports Car Club of America and their contingency of Autocrossers who were thrilled with the idea of going on a spirited drive during their racing off-season.
But this year Alabama had some unseasonably foul weather with a record breaking number of days with subfreezing temperatures and even snow two days before the event! No roads were ever closed as there was just enough warm air in the lower atmosphere to prevent the snow from sticking to roadways, but there were a few icy patches here and there. And then it happened. Barely two days prior to the event the Bear sent out an email stating that the drive had been postponed until January 23rd – the very same day as the PCA Tech Session at Barbers – because it was (wait for it…) TOO COLD!!
Photo Courtesy of Matt Williams
The disappointed emails and Facebook posts began almost immediately. But one individual was not to be deterred. Quinton P. Young, III from the ALSCCA, often referred to by many simply as “Q”, was that individual. He had been so looking forward to this drive for the first time and had invited a number of friends as well. Q decided that he was going to go for a drive anyway and whoever wanted to join him could. After confirming that the Museum would still be accessible the word went out.
The MBCA and PCA members were thrilled to keep the date, having the hardiest cars in the bunch. Jim Roberts of the MBCA and Tom Fleming of the PCA began rallying the troops to show up. There was a bit of confusion however, since Jim didn’t realize that Q was trying to throw together an ad hoc drive based on the same sites that Jim had originally planned to visit and Q didn’t realize that Jim planned to bring his original routes with him (which presumably will be used again on the official run on 1/23). Q had previously visited these sites on photo assignment so he had a pretty good idea how to get to each and a quick search online yielded the routes to be followed. As such, both showed up with routes that had been laid out and handouts printed up.
Photo Courtesy of Quinton P. Young, III
So what to do? Well, offer up both routes of course! With so many people turning out for the drive, it was just as well since it split the large group up into two more manageable teams and since the final destination was the All Steak, we’d all just meet up at the end. Those that wanted to go on Jim’s route lined up on one end of the parking lot and those that opted to follow Q lined up on the other. And this is where it got interesting…
Photo Courtesy D & J Photography
Jim’s route took more back roads which required a little less aggressive driving in some instances while Q’s route started out with more 4 lane highway that made it easy to stay together and drive at a reasonable clip. Q’s team first stopped off at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve where we all got out for some photo ops. One hardy soul, Kevin Henderson, was dubbed the Official Mr. Polar Bear for not submitting to the frigid temps by sporting only a T-shirt for the entire trip! He even managed to start his trek off with some very wet shoes after attempting to traverse the Turkey Creek by stepping on unsubmerged stones. We didn’t say he got the sharpest tool in the shed award…
After leaving the preserve we made our first pit stop, overwhelming the first of many local gas stations. As we were leaving we made our first wrong turn and subsequently the first of many u-turns. Ironically as we made our way back to where we started and eventually got headed down the correct highway, we managed to pick up a stray.
Photo Courtesy D & J Photography
Aaron Coleman was minding his own business, simply out to get the oil changed in his Trans Am, when he noticed this line of big winged Evo’s, a Porsche 911, a Miata, a lowered RX-7, a Mustang GT, a couple of Focuses, a GTO and a Firebird Esprit all making a left turn in front of him, obviously trailing one another. He caught up with our motley crew and eventually fell in line with us. When we stopped at the Horton Mill Bridge, he pulled over with us to find out what we were up to. We explained who we were, what our mission was and invited him to tag along. Oil change plans went by the wayside as Aaron decided to spend the day with us and he enjoyed an afternoon of car camaraderie as we continued on our travels.
Photos Courtesy of Matt Williams
Photo Courtesy D & J Photography
The next bridge was a real challenge. Apparently Jim’s crew realized that the access to the Swann Joy Bridge was pretty well blocked from the side they approached so they bypassed it completely. Having not spec’d out the route ahead of time, our team ended up having to turn around in someone’s driveway – someone with hand painted signs that said “Do not turnaround in Driveway”. Its not like we really had a choice but we kept our fingers crossed that we would not be greeted by a shotgun toting owner.
At this point those of us with GPS devices took over to navigate our way to the other side of the bridge. This variance in our routes is what allowed the other team to arrive at the All Steak a full hour and a half ahead of us but I still think it was worth it. This particular bridge had actually been open to drive across as recently as last year and a couple of us old timers had done so on other drives. Today, however, it is completely blocked off with a mound of dirt. Those that dared hiked across the bridge to the other side and were pleasantly rewarded with a winter wonderland. Huge icicles spectacularly hung from the sheer rock cliff rising above the road.
Kevin (the guy with no jacket) scaled the wall like Spiderman and knocked one of the larger formations loose. Even after about a 15 foot drop, the icicle held together as if it were some sort ice sculpture roughly resembling a guitar. Jokes abounded that someone should take the thing home and keep it in their freezer for a year so it could be included in next year’s run, as if it were the symbol of the event like the Olympic flame! At the very least it was used as part of our group photo and I think it was decided that there was really no way to get it home in one piece so it was left to melt once the deep freeze of the Deep South is over.
We loaded up again and finally headed to a very late lunch, but considering the change in our route, the preprinted instructions were no longer applicable. Back to the GPS devices again. With John Viviani and I in my Miata best positioned to lead the pack, we became the chosen ones. We lined up at the four way stop back down the road from the bridge and John programmed his Garmin. Garmin said to go straight ahead, so we did. Not 50 yards from the 4 way our paved road became a dirt road and we had to make a u-turn.
Fortunately most of the pack was still at the stop sign so it wasn’t too painful. Before preceding any further, howeve, John reprogrammed the GPS to ONLY take us down paved roads, which it did – for awhile. After a couple of miles down a very narrow paved road, it too turned to dirt. I guess in Blount County a hard packed, graded, chirt (combination of clay and dirt) covered road is considered to be paved! No really!! Then our dirt road became and snowy dirt road but at this point we were pretty well committed and it was only 1.6 miles to the next County road (definitely paved) so our adventuresome group opted to go for it.
This was all well and good until we crested the top of the hill and realized, it wasn’t so nicely graded anymore. In fact, it was quite rutted with large rocks sticking up in the middle of the road that, at the very least Q’s Evo and Kevin’s RX-7, would take issue with considering that the ground clearance on their front spoilers was little more than an inch. John hopped out and, while walking along side them, helped navigate the obstacles that might break something and bring the drive to a screeching halt. Of course this meant that the cars had to stay far to the right side of the road, precariously close to a precipitous 100 ft drop off. One or two white knuckles could be seen gripping the wheel but everyone made it over safely and back down to the smoothly graded and snow covered part of the dirt road.
Photos Courtesy of Quinton P. Young, III
Once again we all lined up to ensure we had everyone and the lighthearted nature of the drivers abounded. Sara Reno Tongsuvone was laughing as she popped her head out of her bright blue Evo and yelled, “No one mentioned anything about a Rallycross!! Where are all of the Subarus when you need them?!” I don’t know but I heard that Porsche used to be a pretty big Rallycross competitor so I guess that means Kathy Chahrouri wins best suited car with her 20 year old 911!
We eventually made it to lunch and caught up the other team. They seemed happy to have taken their much milder and saner drive but our team seemed pretty happy with their whole experience. I guess you could say that a good time was had by all. After lunch Jim’s group called it a day while Q’s group opted for one last covered bridge before nightfall.
Photos Courtesy of Jeff Newman
The Clarkson-Legg Covered Bridge was an excellent ending to the day. The scenery was fantastic! Behind the bridge is dammed up pond which was frozen completely solid, once used to power an old grist mill nearby, which was home to a family of ducks. The lay huddled together in the center of the pond sound asleep and took umbrage at our intrusion.
We gathered again for one last group photo as dusk approached and finally admitted it was time to go. A spectacular finish to a spectacular day. Lots of new friends and time well spent with old friends that had been out of the scene for awhile. Life doesn't get any better than this...
It was quite clear, even to a novice such as myself, that this was the last chance for some of these drivers to make it in the rankings and there was plenty of aggression out on the track. I think one of the most unbelievable comeback stories of the weekend revolved around a spectacular wreck that occured when Scott Sharp's Acura prototype was completely destroyed during Petit Le Mans practice. Amazingly, he walked away without a scratch but equally amazing was that the Patron Highcroft team built a new Acura prototype in just over 20 hours. You can check out video footage of the 
