In England every year since 1896 a race has been in November run from London to Brighton. The entrants are restricted to cars built before 1905. The “Run To Brighton”/”Bob’s Farewell Tour” was organized by the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago (VMGCCC) and the Model A club.

Turnout was good from the Model A group and therewere a few MG’s — MGA, MG Midget and a MG RV8. Reinout had intended to bring his M type Midget but weather did not permit. There was light drizzle in the morning that

cleared as the day progressed. At this time I still didn’t have my wipers working so I learned to drive with rain covering my windshield for a while.

We stopped and got a chance to view a private collection of very old cars in Lake Zurich. There was a 1904 Cadillac, a 1903 Ford, a curved dash olds, three massive Lincolns, a Packard and a few others. Supposedly the owner of this fine collection was to participate in the English Run to Brighton in November.

We ended the tour at a bar in Brighton where there was a buffet of Italian beef and various choices of potato salads. There were some good conversations to be had between clubs that don’t often get together. The roads we travelled offered some fantastic views and there were actually a few hills and twisty bits. Bob will be moving to California mere blocks away from a fellow member of the Model A Club where he will continue to assist in restorations, and organize fantastic tours of country back roads.
-- Seth Jones

CMGC Spring Chicken Tour
Sunday, May 22, 2011

On Sunday, May 22nd we had our Spring Chicken Tour. The weather was beautiful, the food was good and the company was outstanding. This was the fourth year that Jan and I have hosted the Chicken Tour at our place in Lake Geneva. The attendance was a little bit lighter than it has been the past couple of years due to the Vintage Club having their Spring Tour in Oregon, Illinois. There were 17 cars that actually drove the tour and three that came just for the outing afterwards. I think I counted 30 people that were at the picnic. The driving tour this year started in St. Charles wound its way through some nice country roads and finished in Lake Geneva.

I expected the hungry crew to arrive between 11:00 and 11:15 AM. Right when the worry was starting to set in Jim Evans and Dan Herman pulled in. I asked where everyone else was. Jim said he wasn’t sure because he was the 6th car in line. Dan mentioned that he saw a crew of people make a wrong turn. Needless to say, the remainder of the crew found their way to my place for lunch.

This year Jan and I changed the chicken menu up a little bit. We had a chicken fiesta!!! There were the fixings for tacos, fajitas and tostadas as well as some Mexican casseroles. I have to say that this event would not have happened without the help of my lovely bride Jan. She certainly was able to pull the lunch together for us all to enjoy.

We look forward to next year’s event, but I have to say that I am running out of good roads to Lake Geneva. If anyone has a route or some suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.
-- Bill & Jan Reece