VTR’s 2008 North American Triumph Challenge

About The Convention

The 2008 NATC Committee and the Detroit Triumph Sportscar Club (DTSC) are pleased to have you at this year’s national VTR convention, the 2008 North American Triumph Challenge.

It’s been quite a while since the DTSC hosted the national convention. In fact, it has been a long 24 years! To commemorate, the DTSC has decided to resurrect the old moniker for the Vintage Triumph Register National Convention.

The North American Triumph Challenge was started by the Illinois Sports Owners Association and the Detroit Triumph Sportscar Club. Established in 1976, NATC was an independent event from the VTR National Convention. NATC attendees were challenged to get the highest overall score in four combined events - autocross, concours, rallye, and an economy run. ISOA and DTSC hosted nine of the first ten events from 1976 to 1985.

The VTR National Convention joined with NATC in 1980. The NATC name was dropped in 1993 or 1994 as the VTR National Convention was hosted by VTR Chapters who didn’t require the name to attract attendees.

And what better place to return to our roots than in the state that put the country on wheels, Michigan! The Ypsilanti area has a long history in the automotive and manufacturing worlds. Henry Ford and the automotive industry came to Ypsilanti in the 1930s and beautiful Ford Lake was created to generate hydroelectric power for the manufacturing plants. During World War II, Ypsilanti became home to the Willow Run Bomber Plant, a factory which would employ 100,000 workers.

Today, Ypsilanti’s automotive history is celebrated in the historic Depot Town section of the city, which clustered around the railroad is home to two wonderful museums, The Michigan Firehouse Museum, the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum & Miller Motors Hudson. Miller Motors was the last operating Hudson dealership in the country and today displays many of the features of an auto dealership of the 50’s and 60’s era.

Ypsilanti is home to Eastern Michigan University and borders the city of Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan. The Ann Arbor Summer Arts Festival, also known as the Ann Arbor Art Fair, is considered to be one of the nation’s largest and best art fairs.

The Marriott at Eagle Crest has just undergone a series of renovations making it one of the premier facilities in the area. We know you will enjoy the activities centered in and about the hotel. Guests at the Sheraton Four Points will be pleased with all the nearby shopping and entertainment opportunities, most of them within walking distance.

In spite of the packed events schedule, we hope you will find time to explore the many attractions the Ypsilanti area has to offer. Many world renown attractions such as the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, and The Detroit Institute of Arts are just a short drive away.

In closing, the 2008 NATC Committee and all the members of DTSC hope you enjoy your time in Michigan with us.