Founded in 1997, the California Melee is the ORIGINAL low buck classic sports car rally. Each year in mid-September (specifically the weekend after Labor Day) the California Melee gathers a limited group of approximately 50 mischievous classic sports car buffs and treats them to a three-day, +750 mile tour of the most beautiful backroads Northern California has to offer... on the cheap! Unlike some other classic sports car driving events, we understand the cost of building and running old cars, so we have always believed that an event entry shouldn't cost more than a set of tires, or maybe a wiring harness.

Sure, chances are you won't see pre-war Alfas or enjoy a catered lunch at some fancy winery on the Melee. You will experience the thrill of running with oil burning E-types, coolant belching GTVs and oil dribbling Porsches as well as enjoying a couple of sleepless nights at some seedy motels. Remember, what we lack in pedigreed machinery and gourmet cuisine we make up for in pure grass roots enthusiasm and fun!

Don't, however, be ashamed if your ride regularly scores well at one of those snooty concours d'elegance events, we like those cars too. What's important is your enthusiasm for driving and a willingness to mix it up with the often unwashed masses of the old sports car hobby.

All that's required is a good attitude, a pre-1976 sports or touring car and a paltry entry fee ($339 in 2005) which covers both driver and passenger and includes motel, awards banquet, t-shirts, stickers and more!