With no more Driving Events scheduled for the remainder of 2013 this is going to be a short column. In fact, it is probably not until April before we'll see each other, driving our MG's, on the road again. Luckily there are quite some non-driving events in this 4-Month period, ranging from Natter 'n' Noggin's, club meetings, train trip, swap meet etc. There is a lot of MG going on even when the temperatures and roads are not very hospitable to most of our MG's.

Speaking of Natter 'n' Noggin; mark your calendars Tuesday, January 14, for a free drink courtesy of Finn McCool's manager Mike Geigel. Although these events are not part of the combined driving events calendar of the MG Clubs of Chicago, you don't have to be a member of the organizing club to join these events. Why am I reminding you? Well the other day a member of the VMGCC asked me for a CMGC membership application because they wanted to come to a N&N. I am sure that I speak for both clubs that we love it when people join, the more members the better. But you don't necessarily have to be a member to come to an event. If you have a MG, you're welcome. If you're interested in MG's, you're welcome. If you're a car guy and just want to hang out with a bunch of MG people you're welcome. And if you decide to join because you want to support the clubs, of course you're welcome too.

The next month or two we will be planning the 2014 Driving Events Calendar. Please let me know if you have suggestions or ideas that you may want to share. From what I can see at this time, the calendar will look pretty similar to this year. However, there are a few important things to note:

First is the NAMGBR Convention in French Lick, Indiana from June 15-19. That is quite early in the year and we may have to shuffle a few rallies and tours around because we are planning to get a very large group from Chicago together for this event.

Second, I would like to see an evening/night rally/tour return on the program. The last couple of years, the Lucas Memorial Night Rally has disappeared because we couldn't find an organizer. Although Lucas Memorial Night Rally is a great name, it doesn’t have to be the same thing as we had in the past. Key is to have an organized ride, in the dark, under the stars and the moon, and with the top down. Ideas?

And lastly, there has been very minimal interest in the auto cross events. We are always invited to the Austin Healy auto cross in the spring, but participation in the Miata events never really materialized in 2013. To continue the program we need a facilitator, a person that publishes the dates, participated, and administers the results.

Please feel free to call me at 847 342 9804 or email me at reinoutvogt@gmail.com with suggestions, comments, and ideas. I love to hear from you and your feedback is always welcome.

Well, that was it for 2013. I wish all of you the Happiest of Holiday's and a Mighty Good New Year.


"The more you drive, the more you smile".

-- Reinout Vogt

(Continued from page 4)
Proposed Project Car - Jim Evans has offered the club his ‘68 MGB as a club project car. However, in order for the club to undertake the restoration, the club is looking for 2 things from members: A place to store and work on the car, and a Manager for the project whose role will be to manage the schedule and make sure that the project keeps “rolling” along. It would be great if the club could restore the B and raffle it off at the NAMGBR Convention in June. If you know of a garage we could use, or are interested in managing the project, contact any club officer.

No meeting in December! Next meeting is in January, although there will be a Natter-N-Noggin on December.

The meeting ended at 9:32.

Yours respectfully,
David Novak
Chicagoland MG Club Secretary.