History
Started in 1997 by MR2 and photography enthusiasts Joe and Roxanne Pearlstein
as a way to enjoy and share two of their passions, Joe and Roxanne in their 1992
Crimson Red MKII NA along with 9 other enthusiasts got together and developed a
route through the amazingly scenic hills of New York States Hudson Valley. A
tradition was born. For years the first Saturday of November was reserved for the
cruise through some of the North East's prettiest fall foliage. Through the years
new members joined old, new friends were made and old friendships rekindled,
a new generation of MR2's, MR2, and Celica Alltrac's joined the line up..
In 1998 Joe succumbed to complications from a weak heart and passed away.
Friends say that they learned of Joe's death while at an auto-x, and when they
offered to return home, Roxy instead urged them to stay and win for Joe. As friend
and Auto-X'er Jeff Fazio would attest, this request was granted. As for MR2's Fazio
stated, "Joe was steadfast in his love of the MKII NA - unmodified. He just loved how
it came from the factory and felt like the turbo was just too much." In his memory the
run continues to this day bearing his name as a memorial. Few things have
changed since that first meet in 1997. The run is still made during the peak of fall
foliage, new friendships are still sown, old ones still rekindled...
And maybe more so in these uncertain times we live in, it makes us realize that in
all of us we can still share one mans love of nature, photography and automobiles.
