In October 1903, 17 American auto manufacturers fielded 34 entries for an arduous test. They followed an 800-mile route through the Catskill Mountains in New York and on to Binghamton and Buffalo, Erie, Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pa.
This Catskill Conquest Rally follows a portion of the historic route through the heart of the Catskill Park. It is open to all cars of any vintage, it is non-competitive and provides a tour linking history and experience. It visits museums and community events and entrants drive awesome roads through farms and hamlets. It starts with a breakfast and orientation and then releases the participants to enjoy a day at their own pace.
Cartographic maps will trace the route from the start at the Catskill Visitor Center, 5096 State Route 28, Mount Tremper. The route is through the Esopus Valley of the Catskill Park on the historic route of the 1903 Run. It stops at the Cauliflower Festival in Margaretville, then proceeds through Delaware County to the village of Franklin for a stop at the Franklin Railroad and Community Museum and a lunch option. From there, Polar Bear Ice Cream offers another lunch option before stopping at the Hanford Mills Museum, where an Antique Engine Jamboree will be underway.
Of the original 1903 Endurance Run marques, a few became classics in following decades. Packard, Pierce Arrow, Franklin, and Locomobile made cars well into the 1930s. This year there will be a 1930 Franklin 7 Passenger Sedan leading the field. Three Franklins were entered in the original Endurance Run.
A Rally Book will document this history of the Birth of Automobiling and road building. The rally drives on smooth roads through beautiful country.
The entry fee is $100 per car, payable by check to Historic Automobile Endurance Runs, LLC, 3024 State Route 28, Shokan, NY 12481. Visit www.1903autorun.com to download an entry form, or contact 1903autorun@gmail.com or call 845-616-4550.
The run takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, the 120th anniversary of the 1903 Endurance Run.
