Don't Miss Out   Secrets of Jo Daviess Tour 2018

The 2018 Jo Daviess Tour will be remembered as one of the best drives of this season! A group of twenty-five Chicagoland MG Club members came out to relax and enjoy a spectacular two-day drive. Upon arriving at the Country Inn and Suites in Stockton, IL on Friday, there was plenty to do. Club members took a dip in the pool, viewed the surrounding countryside, and enjoyed snacks while visiting on the large front porch. That evening, the group gathered and headed over to Route 20 Bar & Grill in Freeport for a delicious all-you-can-eat fish fry.

Final brake bleeding after repair.

Hand brake cable sawed through the brake line.

On Saturday morning some unscheduled work had to be done. Jamie and Tim Schafer’s blue MG Midget needed an emergency break line replacement. Some inventive club members made the repair using the parking lot curb and a few scavenged wooden pallets as a makeshift car lift! Well done! Then, while lining up for the first leg of the drive, Penny and Victor L’Heureux’s engine was slow to start. Luckily, that was quickly resolved and with only a slight delay, the drive was on!

True statement!

The morning was bright and beautiful and the roads were winding and scenic. The first stop was at the Mississippi Palisades State Park. This area along the Mississippi River is one of the loveliest parts of Illinois and the event planners really mapped out a great route for the club. After a walk to Lookout Point everyone returned to their MGs and headed south to Poopy’s Pub for lunch. The thirteen little British cars got a lot of attention amidst the choppers and cruisers at this well-known biker destination.

Flatbed delivery back to the hotel.

After a nice lunch the group returned to the parking lot. Unfortunately, more problems for Jamie and Tim as their MG Midget wanted to start but couldn’t. All attempts to get the engine going failed leaving Jamie and Tim stranded. Fortunately, they made a few calls and returned to the hotel with their car on a huge flatbed tow truck later that day. In the meantime all able cars headed down the road because “the drive must go on”!

Ric & Nancy Maitzen on the road in their TD.

The afternoon drive continued to delight with a beautiful ride and ideal weather conditions. There was a stop at Rocky Waters Vineyard for a break with a taste of wine and some lovely scenery. That evening featured a top-notch dinner at The Rafters. After the meal Ric and Nancy Maitzen were congratulated on their thirty-ninth wedding anniversary! Believe it or not, the anniversary couple was driving in the very same red 1957 TD that they drove on their wedding day so many years ago.

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