The 5th annual "Muscle Car 1000" - one of the most luxurious collector car adventures in America - will be cruising Northern California for this year's amazing tour experience. Approximately 40 musclecar owners will be able to drive their vintage vehicles a thousand miles over five days.

The tour will stretch from San Francisco through Yosemite, Tahoe, Sacramento, and Napa, and includes drag racing on Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) and Half Moon Bay. Half of the $6,450 price tag is donated to Hunger Relief Organization ("HeRO",) a charity whose goal is to end world hunger.

"About 50% of the experience is the thrill of getting on the road, and on the track, with 40 other fellow musclecar nuts," says Muscle Car 1000 founder, Chris Hoskins. "But the other 50% is about what happens out of the cars - access to unique venues, winemaker dinners every night, and seeing your car on display. Muscle Car 1000 combines raw automotive excitement with luxurious living."

Muscle Car 1000 defines eligible cars as: 1964-1973 American Muscle Cars (think GTO, Roadrunner, Barracuda); 1955-1973 Corvettes; and 1962-1967 Cobras. Not seen as symbols of luxe living when they were new, these vintage muscle cars now fetch a pretty penny from collectors, such as Hoskins himself. "I created Muscle Car 1000 because there was nothing like it - a really fun car rally that caters to the upscale lifestyle. That last part was my wife's idea, and it was a good one!" As he was planning the first details of his original rally, Chris consulted his wife for additional input on how to ensure the event would also be appealing for both men and women attendees as well.

At first, she told him she had no interest in spending long hours in an old car in the name of "fun." But additional discussion brought out suggestions to include five-star hotels, luxury spas, exquisite dining, and incredible experiences, all meant to provide memories and friendships to last a lifetime for ladies and gentlemen alike!

Another good idea: Hoskins donates half of the $6,450 entry fee to HeRO, a charity he founded to end world hunger. And thanks to Muscle Car 1000, that goal is on its way to being realized. Last year, HeRO -- an organization that participates in global efforts to eradicate hunger in the developing world -- opened seven feeding centers and one infant malnutrition center, all in Honduras. Hoskins plans to use money from Muscle Car 1000 to open additional feeding centers. He notes, "Muscle Car 1000 is making a real difference in one of the world's poorest countries."

This year's Muscle Car Itinerary (October 5-9, 2008) is as follows:

• Day One: Car will be shown on a red-carpet "concours d'elegance" display at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco; harbor cruise including a private once-in-a-lifetime candlelit dinner on Alcatraz; and an overnight stay at the incomparable Ritz Carlton, San Francisco.
• Day Two: Police escort Muscle Car 1000 caravan through San Francisco; drive to Yosemite; alfresco dining at historic Ahwani Hotel.
• Day Three: Drive backroads to Lake Tahoe; stay at Squaw Valley Resort; dinner by the waterfalls.
• Day Four: Drive to Sacramento - lunch on the Capitol (potential Governor visit); on to Napa, dinner at Stag's Leap cave.
• Day Five: Drive to Sears Point for drag racing and lunch at Infineon Raceway; on to Half Moon Bay for closing night ceremony at Ritz-Carlton.

If you have an eligible musclecar and are interested in learning more about the event or are considering signing up, just go to MuscleCar1000.com. The entry fee -- which covers the participant and her guest (riding in the same car) -- includes all event-related hotel stays and meals. Gas is on you, as is getting your car to the kick-off location in San Francisco, and home from the final destination in Half Moon Bay.

The Muscle Car 1000 luxury travel adventure has been so popular with participants from previous years that only a few spots remain, so be sure to contact them as soon as possible to reserve a place for yourself and your collector car!

Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com