Within sight of the Museum of Science and Industry and just a little west of Lake Shore Drive is a small rock placed in a park in 1995 that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first automobile race in the United States. That commemoration was a large affair with quite a few automobiles from approximately 1900 and reinacted the route to Wilmette and back.

This was the 13th informal commemoration of that 100th anniversary. This year’s attendees from our Club included Mark and Kyle Gannon in a MGA MKII Deluxe, Bob Hanselman and his guest from California in a MGTD, Barney Gaylord with his MGA, Doug Clark with his MGTF and us with our MGBGT. And the roadsters were driven there with the tops down, for the most part. There were about fifty other cars including street rods, three Lamborghinis, a Ferrari, restored and modified cars from the 1950’s, a lowered early model Chevy pickup and even a Panoz. The original race in 1895 was run with foot-deep snow and several of us commiserated over the number of past events when we had to take the batteries out of the cameras to warm them inside our coats, but the weather this year was extremely mild compared to some years and the camera batteries worked perfectly.
Bill Wildt of Motorsports Unlimited was there filming in front of the Rock. He reminded his viewers of the importance of the original 1895 race and carefully interviewed everyone who was willing to be taped.
In keeping with the past Thanksgiving at the Rock events, we went to Stages on 31st Street for an early lunch before heading back home.
-- Jake and Ann Snyder