The TCOC invites you to the 40th anniversary of The Gathering.  With events that include a spectacular mountain tour, a car show at Shelton Vineyards, and an exciting autocross, The Gathering has fun for every fan of British cars!

Online pre-registration is now open here.

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 17, 2026
1:00-5:00 Registration- Hampton Inn & Suites, Dobson, NC
1:00-4:00
Blue Ridge Foothills Tour- depart any time between 1:00 and 4:00 from Hampton Inn- Dobson (front door) Concludes at the same point (approx. 2-hour drive)
5:00-5:30 Meeting for all Saturday Volunteers
6:30 Ladies Night Out- Harvest Grill, Shelton Vineyards
7:00 Live Auction of British Car Parts and other items
Free Pizza and soft drinks (BYOBeer)
Saturday, April 18, 2026
8:00-12:00 Registration at Shelton Vineyards
9:00-3:00 Participants Choice Car Show
9:00-3:00 50/50 Raffle (Drawing at 3:00 at the Awards)
by 11:00 Bring Wrench Wracer Concours entry to Bandshell
12:00 Winery Tour and Tasting (limit 30-sign up in Winery)
12:00 Grand Reserve Tasting (Prior reservations required)
12:30 Wrench Wracing Concours balloting ends
1:00 Wrench Wracing Match Races at the Bandshell
1:00 Cars Show balloting ends
3:00 Car Show Awards Ceremony, 50/50 Raffle drawing
4:00 Winery Tour and Tasting (limit 30-sign up in Winery)
4:00 Grand Reserve Tasting (Prior Reservations required)
6:30 BBQ dinner at Hampton Inn (must Preregister)
Sunday, April 19, 2026
7:30-Noon Autocross @ Surry Community College,
Emergency Services Training Center

Blue Ridge Tour: We’ve mapped out a twisty route through the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tour departs from the Hampton Inn (our host hotel) between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Friday.

Auction: Vendors in the British car community always generously donate a variety of items for our live auction. This year, the auction will also include used items and memorabilia. If you bring an item to auction, the entire winning bid will accepted as a donation to the TCOC. The auction happens at the hotel on Friday night, with plenty of pizza and soft drinks included.

Ladies Nite Out: While auction takes place, the ladies have an opportunity to enjoy great friends, great food, and great wines at Shelton’s Harvest Grill Restaurant. Participants can catch a ride from the Hampton Inn at 6:30 PM and then get a ride back after dinner. Seating is limited! You must register by Tuesday by emailing Jan Cook: kbtvr@triad.rr.com.

Participants’ Choice Car Show: On Saturday morning, you’re invited to stroll the picturesque grounds of Shelton Vineyards as more than a dozen British marques take the show field. Balloting ends at 1:00 PM with the Awards Ceremony to follow at 3:00 PM.

Dining Options: The Harvest Grill, on the grounds of Shelton Vineyards, is an award-winning bistro with enclosed patio seating as well as an intimate dining room. (Reservations are suggested.) If you prefer to enjoy a picnic on the grounds, the Harvest Grill Express offers a tasty assortment of food items. Additionally, there will be several Food Trucks on site. No outside food or beverage/No outside catering is permitted. Catered picnic lunches can be arranged with the Harvest Grill for groups of 10 or more.

Shelton Vineyards Wine Tours and Tastings At 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Shelton Vineyards will offer tours and tastings. This includes a guided tour of our 33,000 square-foot winery, with an overview of our wine-making process and a tasting of our wines. Sign up for a tour time inside the winery on Saturday. No advance reservations. Limited to 30 people per tour.

Wrench Wracing: This lightning-fast race requires little more than an extra tool or two and an imaginative mind. There will be both match racing and a popular vote “concours” held for wrench racers. All entries must be gravity-powered, be no longer than 9” and no wider than 4”, weigh less than 2 lb., and feature a hand tool as a major portion of their design. For more info, contact Jamie Palmer, 919-623-3955 or tr6driver@yahoo.com.

Saturday Night BBQ: Relax and trade stories after the car show with a sumptuous buffet-style BBQ dinner at the Hampton Inn, 6:30 PM on Saturday. Pre-registration is required, with a max. of 120 participants.

Autocross: April 13 sees the return of the Gathering Autocross, starting at 8:00 AM. This popular competitive event will be held at Surry County Community College on the Emergency Services Training Center driving course, 630 South Main Street, Dobson, NC

Early Registration: All registrations postmarked by March 15 receive $10 off the weekend registration fee. The first 300 registrants will receive show dash plaques.

Trailer Parking: Free trailer parking is available in a lot adjacent to the registration area. There is also trailer parking at the Hampton Inn, weather permitting.

Tents, Vendors: No individual tents and awnings are allowed on the site during the show. Club tents are allowed within a designated area. If your club wants to set up a tent, contact Steve Ward at (704) 617-2180 or SteveWardAtty@gmail.com.. Steve is also the contact if you wish to be a vendor at the Car Show.

Car Classes: The following classes are featured in Saturday’s car show.

Class Description
A1 Sunbeam Alpine
A2 Sunbeam Tiger
A3 Sunbeam Modified *
A4 Sunbeam Rootes **
B1 Jaguar XK120, XK140, XK150 
B2 Jaguar E-Type – Series 1
B3 Jaguar E-Type – Series 2 & 3
B4 Jaguar Sedans
B5 Jaguar XJS
B6 Jaguar XK/XK8
B7 Jaguar F
C1 Austin Healy Sprite
C2 Austin Healy 100-4
C3 Austin Healy 100-6,3000 MK1
C4 Austin Healy 3000 MK2 & MK3
D1 Historic MGs
D2 MGA
D3 MGB/MGC GT Chrome
D4 MGB/MGC GT Rubber
D5 MG Midget
Class Description
E1 Mini thru 2001
E2 MINI 2002 – on
F1 Rolls Royce/Bentley
G1 Morgan All Models
H1 Morris
J1 Classic Land Rover
K1 Special Interest Sport & Sedan
L1 Lotus All Models
M1 TVR All Models
N1 Triumph TR3/3A/3B
N2 Triumph TR4/TR4A
N3 Triumph TR250/5
N4 Triumph TR6 thru 1973
N5 Triumph TR6 1974 – on
N6 Triumph TR7/TR8
N7 Triumph Spitfire
N8 Triumph, Standard & other

* Sunbeam Modified = Tiger or Ford Engine
** Sunbeam Rootes = Any other Sunbeam

The Featured Marque for 2026 is Sunbeam