The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) has been running a Father’s Day race weekend atBlackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL for many years, 2017 was the 25th edition. And many club members have been going to these races through the years; same as racing participants and some as spectators. The weekend often conflicts with other events on our calendars (National Conventions and Highland Games for instance) and I don’t think that we ever made it into a formal club event.

	Most of the Group 1 racers share a paddock tent to protect the drivers and cars from sun or rain. Both were in plenty supply this Father’s Day Weekend. The Group 1 race cars vary in size and speed from this thirties Indy Racer to Scott’s tiny 1932 J2.

Six racers with seven MGs represented the MG Clubs of Chicago this year; Marvin Primack in a 1949 Lester MG, Jeff Powell and Tom Moore in 1948 and 1949 MG TCs, Pat Morse in a 1953 MG TD, Scott Fohrman in a 1932 MG J2 and a 1964 MGB, Dave ‘Cowboy’ Bralich in a 1969 MGB.

Other club members were also active in several race related activities; Jake and Ann Snyder staffed the Turn-4 track-side flag and safety station and Pat McManus was wrenching in the paddock for group of three MGBs.

The MGBs run in a class with other race cars, Volvo 1800’s Triumph, Lotus etc. and are very competitive, while the older MGs, the gentleman racers who are a little less competitive and very careful with their race cars, participate in a special class called Group 1.

Here are some photos with commentary notes. Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos of Jake and Ann at their flag station, of Pat Morse’s TD, and of Pat’s put area. And I accidentally deleted a beautiful photo of Tom Moore’s TC on the grid from my camera phone. Hey, what can I say, I’m not a professional reporter, just a (race) car fan.

Here are some of the race cars from our club members. From the front; Jeff’s TC with No. 818, Scott’s J2 with No. 11 and Tom’s TC (Silver).

Jeff and Tom getting ready for a race. Note that the Group 1 gentleman racers don’t need a roll cage (some do, but it is not mandatory). Drivers wear full Nomex fire-proof driving suits and the race cars have an on-board fire extinguisher and a battery emergency disconnect switch.

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