Hello to all, and I hope that you enjoyed the 2013 Driving Season as much as we did with Emma. You can read, and enjoy the photos, of the last couple of driving events in this issue of the newsletter. And then, it is time to get ready for the awards presentation, which will be different this year. Since we did the driving season together with both clubs, it only seems right to do the awards presentation together also. We weighed several possibilities and for this year our (combined) Holiday Party seems to be the best opportunity. We will do the awards for the 2013 Driving Season only. The club specific awards ceremonies stay the same; the February Annual Business Meeting for the CMGC and the Charter Members Dinner in February or March for the VMGCC. The Holiday Party is Saturday, December 7 . Details should be in this newsletter also. I hope that many of you are planning to attend so that we can hand out to the awards in person to as many recipients as possible.

The last rally of the season was the Halloween Rally that we had just last weekend. It was different in a few ways: no trick questions, no signs and billboards to watch while driving, and the most clear driving instructions. Several attendees commented after the rally that they enjoyed the ride so much, not having to be on the look-out for clues and answers all the time. The score was based on some special tests and activities that took place in a forest preserve. Nothing to distract from the driving experience while on the road to the next check point. I would like to hear from more members if this is something we maybe should continue, implement in more events, or just forget for the future. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

December is a quiet month for MG Driving Events but may allow you to think about the upcoming 2014 season a little bit. What did you like this year and should be continued. Which elements of the 2013 season didn't work so well for you and should be improved. And maybe even the most important; are

you able to help with organizing an event in 2014. Rally masters, tour organizers, and special event coordinators always appreciate some assistance.

Before I end this column, I would like to bring up one more topic. Maybe not really Driving Events related, but also a lot of fun. And that is Natter 'n' Noggin, the second Tuesday of the month. We get together for some bench racing, tire kicking, a bite, and a drink. We alternate between Roundhead's in Downers Grove, a.k.a. the South Side N&N, and , yes you guessed it right, the North Side N&N. Even months at Roundhead's are doing very well, always well attended. Odd months, at Finn McCool's in Mount Prospect slowed down a bit and are lagging in attendance lately. The manager Mike Geigel is a real car enthusiast, just like us. His dad owned a MG TF and a Healy Sprite when he grew up and he has a 1975 Bradley GT, a British kit car on the basis of a '67 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Mike has offered to buy everybody a drink at the next N&N. This newsletter is probably too late for November so we'll do it in January 2014. Please mark your calendars and we hope to see you. A lot of partners, spouses, and significant others always liked Finn McCool's and who knows, with a free drink we'll see them all back again too.

Well, that was it for this Month, four different topics. Just to summarize to make it easier to remember:
- 2013 Driving Events awards at the combined Holiday Party, December 7.
- Feedback about the Halloween Rally
- Think about helping with the 2014 Driving Season
- A free drink at the January N&N at Finn McCool's

As always, please call me at 847-342-9804 or email me at reinoutvogt@gmail.com with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. And remember:


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

-- Reinout Vogt