Triumphest 1993 – Sacramento

Triumphest here I come! The TR6 has a full tank of gas, a trunk full of clothes, and the requisite number of spares and tools: I’m off!

First stop out of Santa Barbara  is Lompoc to meet Eric Wilhelm with the Moss TR3 and then it’s open road to the Harris Ranch along I-5. Here we met with about six other cars from my club, Southern California Triumph Owners Association. We were running a little behind schedule, but arrived just as they were getting ready to leave, so it worked out fine.

I had expected a quick run up I-5, but the club decided to cut across to 99 and head up that way. For those of you not familiar with our highways, both of these run north to Sacramento on opposite sides of the central valley. The main difference is that I-5 is newer and more isolated, with few services. It makes for a quick run especially with long stretches posted with a 65 mph speed limit. Well, the detour was actually a good ride, but highway 99 slowed us quite a bit as we went through all the little towns. The traffic was not long lived at these points so we stayed close together for the entire run; until the last turn before the hotel off ramp. In Sacramento, there is this wonderful interchange that begins with a quick exit from the freeway in heavy traffic, which of course broke up our caravan, then makes two 270 degree right turns onto a different freeway. Well, we lost two cars, not too bad. Luckily they had an idea of where the hotel was and showed up within the hour. The Raddison Hotel was beginning to look like a Triumph gathering was about to take place. Triumphs surrounded the center check-in area and infested the parking lot.

Well the event was similar to most such events: a lot of enthusiasts, a lot of nice cars, a lot of fun events. The Moss crew sponsored a tech session with Norman Nock of British Car Specialists fame. He, and his family, gave tips on how to deal with the dreaded Lucas electrical system. Well received and very informative. We also sponsored a pinewood derby race which was a lot of fun for all, even me! I tried to cheat against one of the really fast cars by holding my competitor back at the start – I still lost! The Moss suite and motor home were constantly buzzing with people asking for help and advice, and exchanging stories. As always, it was great to meet and talk with everyone.

The culmination of Triumphest was the banquet. I was impressed with the efficiency with which the awards were presented. Now, we all know how much fun it is to eat good food and then sit in a banquet room for hours while speeches and awards are given. But a wonderful job of streamlining got the whole thing over by 10PM! Moss awarded the newly named Digger Davitt Memorial Trophy to E Ticket Triumph Racing for the person or group who has done the most for the Triumph marque on the West Coast and Jan Dawson was given a special farewell presentation.

The next morning we all met at the State Capitol for The Picture. If you have ever been to Sacramento, you know that Irving to describe Capitol Park is very difficult. It is truly one of the most beautiful parks in the state. We lined up on three levels of steps on the west end of the capitol, a great sight! The Capitol building with its gold ball topped cupola and dome for a back ground made for a really nice photograph. The state rangers insisted on oil control, so we were each handed a sheet of paper to put under our cars for those rare oil leaks. This event, too, went smoothly and we were leaving the grounds for home by 9:30 am. I must say the departure itself was an experience. About one hundred Triumphs driving down the tree lined paths of Capitol Park, then roaring out onto the downtown streets in all directions as each made for home.

And that is where we were headed as well, Eric and the TR3 in my rear view mirror and southbound Interstate 5 ahead. The cars were humming nicely as we waved farewells to others… For us home was eight hours away, but with the top down and the sun out the miles rolled by easily.

See you next year in San Diego, September 29-October 2, 1994!

By Peter Arakelian, Moss Purchasing