Atlanta Car ClubAtlanta Car Club

ROAD TRIP! TALLADEGA

FEBRUARY 2012

Our group met at our hotel in Anniston, Alabama and visited until everyone arrived. Of course, first thing is off to lunch, our favorite pass time after driving our lovely Allantes. Art and Brenda Sevelius who live in Anniston made our hotel and restaurant recommendations and boy were their choices fantastic. After a king size Italian feast at Cavelli’s for lunch, we headed to the speedway.

First, we toured the Hall of Fame Museum and took lots of photographs of the amazing cars on display. After touring the museum, we boarded a bus to take us around the track at an amazing speed of about 15mph. Our driver was delightful and made hearing about the history of the track not only interesting but very entertaining. Some of the highlights we learned were that the Super speedway is on 1,000 acres of land and the track is 2.66 miles and is the biggest and fastest track in its category. Turn 3 is at a 33 degree pitch (equal to a seven story high building). They employee 50 people full time just to maintain the grounds and keep it ready for all visitors but especially the 200,000 that attend the Talladega 500 every year. Our driver stopped at the winner’s circle for us to take photos. The chairs in the stands are painted to give the optical illusion that there are people seated even when they are empty. We could almost hear the people cheering and the revving of the engines as we looked around the track. We returned to the museum and stayed until they closed. Needless to say, everyone had an awesome experience.

We dined at Garfrerick’s Café’ Friday evening. (We did not attempt trying to say that 3 times fast or slow)! It is a gourmet restaurant with many scrumptious choices ranging from quail to steak to ahi tuna. It was a wonderful meal with lots of lively conversation and laughter.

Saturday morning, we returned to the speedway for a classic car show and auction. There were a few interesting cars but cannot recommend this as a show to visit. A few stayed for the auction and they were disappointed. The rest of us went to lunch at Mexico Lindo and it had a very festive décor and delicious food. One thing we learned, at least in this part of Alabama, they believe in serving BIG portions. After lunch, some of us browsed the antique stores in the area.

Our hotel was very accommodating and we were allowed to meet and have cocktails in an area in the hotel lobby each evening. Saturday evening we went to Classic on Noble. This is a MUST when visiting this area. It is a beautifully decorated place, with chandeliers made from crystal wine glasses, gorgeous fresh flower arrangements, unique artwork, amazing food and impeccable service. Their signature entrée’ is shrimp and grits and a fried green tomato salad. Each dish was an artistic presentation and tasted as good as it looked! We were so sorry that our wonderful hostess, Brenda got sick and could not join us. We all hope she is feeling better and thanks so much to her and Art for a wonderful time in their hometown. I think most of us would make the drive again just to visit Classic on Noble!

Once again, we have made memories that will bring us joy for many years to come. What a fabulous group!!

Race Ya! See you next time.

Paula Vopelak - Vice President