Ridin’ with Ralph & Susan
November 2025 – Blount British Car Club Newsletter
Driving the Tennessee lanes with the Lehns (also pronounced Lane)!
by Ralph Arata
Jesse & Mallory Lehn led a diverse group of British car owners on what has become their annual “Circuit de la Blount” fall tour. This was the second of 2 club tours with the first being a Fall Leaf Tour by Dennis & Janice Clack in Tellico Plains last month.
The weather, tour and turnout could not have been better. It was sunny, in the 60s and there were 18 cars 36 people. Not a bad showing for a small club. Coming from somewhere else, Susan and I have found that every road in Tennessee is an ”MG” road! The tour was certainly no disappointment. I might mention that this tour followed a “Cars & Coffee” event at Jesse’s shop in Marysville which was also highly well attended. Jesse does look busy.
The Circuit de la Blount was short and sweet and taking place in the fantastic Blount County countryside.
The group of British cars was diverse taking in MGBs (of course), Triumphs, Jaguars and even a Fiat 124. All the cars were great specimens of British motor history i.e. well looked after.
The lanes (Lehns) & lakes of Blount County are always something that Susan & I appreciate here. The club sponsors and number of these tours which are great but the Cars & Coffee followed by the Circuit de la Blount is a crowd pleaser.
Our group ended the tour at the Small Town BBQ for lunch. We had a private room and boy did we fill it! The food was outstanding. This must be a popular eatery as the line to pay lunch bills stretched out the front door to the sidewalk. Susan bought 2 of their sausages to go!
Coming from one heck of a club in Chicago where we were very active, Susan and I have found the Blount British Car club (BBC) one heck of a welcome to a new place with new British car people. Of course, it is very difficult to complain about the mountains and roads here. Having people that get involved and do these drives is simply a bonus.
Thanks to Jesse & Mallory for the drive and we look forward to more members stepping up to plate with these kind of drives in the future. A really good time with British car friends both old and new!