Fuelfed Buckeyes & Bourbon Rally – April 19-23, 2023
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By demand, this year Fuelfed added a NEW early spring drive to the schedule for those that want to head to warmer weather for incredible roads and adventure – the Buckeyes & Bourbon Rally. The rally will be April 19-23, 2023. Buckeyes & Bourbon takes the bespoke approach that Fuelfed is known for in rallying and expands to a new elevated format. We will drive from Chicago to the scenic Hocking Hills area of Ohio and end in the bourbon capital of the world, historic Bardstown, Kentucky.
Note: If leaving from Chicago is not convenient, there are other options for meeting up with the group (ex. meet at the Weds. lunch location in Indiana or at the group dinner Weds. evening). Use the Comments area of the form on this page to let us know your situation.
To Register for the event, scroll to the form at the end and apply by January 31 when our room block with special rates ends.
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OVERVIEW
The rally blends driving warmer-weather curated routes with unique lodgings, great food, historic distilleries, and great people.
First, we escape the long cold Midwest winter for warmer climates to explore the uncrowded and lush rolling roads only the western Appalachian range can provide.
Second, we’ve secured unique accommodations rarely available for relaxing multi-night stays. Dining & cocktails —what is a Fuelfed rally with out unique culinary & cocktail experiences? Buckeyes & Bourbon provides days of incredible driving with sampling the historic distilleries of Kentucky.
Finally, we are curating all vehicles manufactured prior to 2000 to ensure a great mix of classics. You are encouraged to submit with two or three cars to increase your chance of acceptance. Our group will be limited to a max of 15 cars or 30 people.
Buckeyes & Bourbon will be different is several ways from our other rallies. More days, 2-night hotel stays, and fewer cars and people. This will be a more social group experience. And, while we have carefully selected restaurants, only a few of the meals will be included in the fee, enabling you to have a wider selection and more control over your meals in most cases.
What won’t be different is the quality of the experience, people, or routes that you have come to expect from Fuelfed. After planning vintage rallies since 1998, we’ve learned a thing or two on what makes for a unique and safe event.
Scroll for Event Fees and Registration Form.
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ACCOMMODATIONS
For this rally, we will be based for two days out of two unique hotels that excite us. Due to the time of year, YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR ROOM RESERVATIONS NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31. Please act quickly. You will need to call the hotels directly to reserve your rooms.We have 15 rooms in each location held at reduced rates until then. A limited number of rooms have two beds.
For our first two nights in Ohio Fuelfed has reserved a mix of separate cottages, yurts, and a geodome at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls. If you want more than one bed, there are two cottages with two beds, OR you can reserve a cabin with multiple beds outside of our hold (act quickly). Nestled in the secluded surroundings of nature with marvelous views, they each have their own distinct character. The expansive property sits on 75-acres of uninterrupted woods and forests and is surrounded on three sides by Hocking Hills State Park.
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Our final two nights in Bardstown, KY, we will be staying in a newly renovated mid-century boutique inspired motel. In fact, we are their first group reservation. The motor lodge has breezy outdoor spaces with welcoming fire pits, a swimming pool, poolside bar, and a retro-styled rec room. Rooms with double beds are in limited number; please act fast. The property is a short walk or drive from historic downtown Bardstown.
FOR HOTEL INFORMATION, contact us.
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AGENDA
Day 1 (Weds.): Day of driving to Ohio. P.M.: Welcome Group Dinner (dinner included).
Day 2 (Thurs.): Day of driving the roads of Hocking Hills. P.M.: Casual Fine Dining
Day 3 (Fri.): Day of driving backroads to Bardstown. Arrival drink. (lunch and arrival drink included) P.M.: Dinner suggestions provided. (no group reservation)
Day 4 (Sat.): Private distillery tour, tasting & lunch (all included). Afternoon drive to distillery. P.M.: Final Group Dinner (dinner included).
Day 5 (Sun.): Drive home with group or on your own.
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DRIVING EXPECTATIONS
There is no pressure to go fast or drive beyond your comfort, and the rally is suitable for the novice. This not a guided tour either. Our group will break into a few run groups, but everyone will have the routes (via an app) and the end locations. Each stage is carefully routed and takes roughly one to two hours to complete with 15 minute rest / refuel / hydrate stops. Your goal is to have fun and be on time for lunch and dinner each day. You are also welcome to explore on your own at any point and meet up with us later.
There will NOT be chase vehicles. It is your responsibility to ensure that your car is road worthy and to handle your maintenance/towing issues during the rally so that the experience of fellow drivers is not adversely affected. You need to have driven your classic a minimum of 500 miles since your last repair before going.
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EVENT FEE: $1,450 for 2 people (driver + passenger) / $920 for solo driver.
Event Fee Covers: Vetting of curated experience and routes. Also included: Routes (via app), stickers, event premium, lunch and dinner reservations (except Friday night); Weds. private group Welcome dinner, Fri. lunch, Bardstown arrival drink, Sat. private group distillery tour & tasting, Sat. private group lunch, and private group Final dinner. We have 15 rooms blocked at two unique hotels reserved until JANUARY 31; you’ll need to call them directly to book & purchase yourself.
NOT Included: Hotel accommodations, alcoholic beverages (unless included in a tasting), breakfast in Bardstown, 2 lunches & 1 dinner (individual checks), Friday night dinner (you will be given a list of restaurant options in advance for Friday night to make your own reservation). No Sunday meals are included or planned.
Cancellation/Refunds:
If you cancel after Jan. 31 and we are not able to meet the minimum number of people required in our contracts without you, we will NOT be able to provide a refund.
If we are able to meet the minimum without your participation, the refund will be: 100% refunded if Fuelfed receives your cancellation before Feb. 1, 75% refunded if cancellation is between Feb. 1-Feb. 28, and 50% refunded if the cancellation is between March 1-March 13. No refunds give after March 14. Please get confirmation that your cancellation was received.
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TO REGISTER, USE THE FORM BELOW as soon as possible.
You’ll receive an email back within 48 hours of receiving your application which will include a payment link and hotel information if accepted. Your spot will be reserved AFTER your payment is received and Fuelfed sends you confirmation. Email us directly with questions.
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