17th Annual Camping Trip to Road America
July 19-21, 2013

We again stayed at Plymouth Rock Campground diagonally across from Gate 2 at Road America. Other choices could have been Marsh Park at the intersection of county roads J and P or staying on the Road America track property, which requires a super pass for the race event for all adults. The campground was, as always, secure with adequate bath houses, a camp store and a fast food grill that serves Goose Island beer. As well, if you have no children in your household, this campground is a good place to observe them from a safe distance.

This was the racing date now known as the Hawk (as in brake pads) and previously known as the Kohler Invitational Challenge (as in toilets) and the Chicago Historic Races. Back in the day, Road America was one of the tracks used for Can Am racing and these cars were featured this third weekend of July.

The weather, as always, was warm and fine. Rain seldom falls on the track on this weekend. Many of the classic cars were there, including the McClaren MP6 series cars, several in McClaren orange paint. They seem to get faster every year. Absent were the Allards and Kurtis cars built in the 50s. And absent also was the metallic blue Scarab ‘Meisterbrauser’ of Augie Pabst, Jr., though he is still listed as a director of Road America. Although none of the usual Chicagoland MG Club racers were participating, we knew others who were on the track, including Randy Byboth, from the Minnesota MG Club, driving his gorgeous blue ‘64 Sprite, North Suburban Sports Car Club’s Brian Garcia, very fast in a ’65 Cheetah, and Matt Primack, in a ‘69 Lotus monoposto formula car.

Both the parade of racing machines from the track to Elkhart Lake on Friday and the concours on Saturday were interesting to see (and hear – children should have hearing protection). There were many classic cars as well as new models, including a line of six quite new Aston Martins. To keep this in perspective, just think ‘Miata Club’.

This camping and race experience is well worth the time, effort and expense if it is your cup of tea. Unfortunately, participation has been flagging for the last 3 or 4 years due to a multitude of very practical reasons. So this activity will be recommended for individual participation and not a CMGC activity in the future. Anyone who wants to go next year may contact us if they have questions. snyder@chicagolandmgclub.com.

~~Ann & Jake Snyder