Vintage cars make pit stop in Edwall

EDWALL - The Fire District No. 4 fire station here was the checkpoint for the SCM1000 Road Rally that passed through town Monday, June 12, giving those who wished a glimpse of some of the rarest pre-1975 sports cars in the world.

The inaugural 1,000-mile rally was held in Oregon in 2018. The event was so popular that organizers decided to continue the event, but to find alternative routes each year.

This year, between June 11-16, 40 car owners from across America and Canada signed up for the opportunity to tour the two-lane roads of eastern Washington.

Each morning, drivers depart their base at the Davenport Hotel and set out on a scenic 250-mile drive through the countryside. Along the way, they stop at designated rural fire stations to stretch their legs and enjoy refreshments, before making their way back to Spokane.

Edwall was the last stop on day one of the rally after a morning trip to Dry Falls near Coulee City. The following day, June 13, they would follow the Pend Oreille River on their drive to Metaline Falls.

Two locals took part in the rally.

Mitch Silver from Spokane drove his red 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 and Sarah Nelson Young, a 1995 graduate of Reardan High School, drove a 1963 Porsche.

The first car arrived in Edwall at 3 p.m. It was a black 1957 Talbot-Lago America driven by Stephen Ross from Calgary, Canada.

"There were only eight cars like this ever built," he said. "This one is valued at right around $500,000."

The next car to pull in was a 1964 Porsche Outlaw driven by Tom Malloy from Villa Park, California.

"I've never been to eastern Washington before," he said. "It is absolutely beautiful. We are having a great time looking at the scenery."

Terry Hefty, an investor from Louisville, Colorado, munched on a cookie while visiting with other drivers in the shade of the fire station.

When an onlooker mentioned he'd never be able to afford Hefty's 1959 Aston Martin, Hefty responded, "It would all depend on the size of your ranch."

Richard Lincoln traveled the farthest to attend the rally. He shipped his one-of-a-kind silver 1973 Porsche, valued at $750,000 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

"Race car driver Peter Gregg built this car," he said. "It is very rare and very special."

Lincoln said he enjoys attending events outside of Florida so he can experience the beauty of other regions.

"It's hot today, but I'm with my buddy and we got the wind blowing through our car. It doesn't get much better than this," he said.

Sue Lani Madsen, a local firefighter/EMT, helped other community members serve refreshments to the drivers.

"Seeing these cars is pretty cool," she said. "Having them stop here is a great opportunity to raise our profile because there are people from urban areas who don't realize how much of the country relies on volunteer firefighters and ambulance."