The rain did not stop car enthusiasts from hitting the road in support of clean fresh water at the Stroud Water Research Center’s second annual Road Rally on June 10 in Chester County.

The official Axalta Coating Systems pace car led off at 2:30 p.m. and cars were released every two minutes. Drivers counted bodies of water and restoration sites while answering fun clues about the history of the region.

The halfway point was the Marsh Creek State Park boat launch where drivers and their navigators checked in with volunteers, refueled on Herr’s Snacks and water, took selfies, and then continued to the Finish Line Party.

The Finish Line Party took place in the Lenfest Center at the beautiful ChesLen Preserve which is owned by Natural Lands. ChesLen Preserve is the largest privately owned nature preserve open to the public in Chester County.

Miles of marked hiking trails lead visitors through shady woodlands, flower-filled meadows, fields of corn and soybeans, and stream valleys.

A delicious BBQ dinner and drinks were enjoyed as drivers and their navigators talked about the missed turns made along the way.

During the party, Stroud Center Director Dave Arscott explained some of the restoration work and research projects taking place through the watersheds that were explored during the day.

Regina Tracy, global CSR of corporate affairs and internal communications at Axalta Coating Systems, helped Arscott to award the prizes from the day-- from a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS that won the Car Most Likely to Get Stuck in a Creek to a Ford Galaxie that won the Most Unusual Car.

The Grand Prize winners took home gift certificates for oil changes and a bottle of champagne in their baby blue Porsche Boxter.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water Research Center website, Click Here to subscribe to UpStream.  Click Here to subscribe to Stroud’s Educator newsletter.  Click Here to become a Friend Of Stroud Research,  Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, include them in your Circle on Google+ and visit their YouTube Channel.

[Posted: June 13, 2018]

6/18/2018