Vintage Viewpoint

The Newsletter of the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago

Vol. 47, No. 6 June 2013

FROM THE OFF SIDE by Win Gould, President

AND A GRAND PARTY IT WAS!

The 2013 Driving Season is officially underway! Sunday, May 5th dawned bright and clear as Barb and Glenn

Grossklags gathered a whole flock of MGs together on Edens Plaza,

then herded them northward on a scenic Spring Breakfast Drive

through the North Shore’s winding roads to the Lake House

Restaurant in fabulous Lake Bluff.

The Chicagoland MG Club was invited to join us, and as a result

more than thirty individuals all infected with the same propensity to

play with strange little automobiles filled the west end of the

restaurant. The food was good, and from the way some repeatedly

filled their plates, one would think they just came out of hibernation

along with their cars.

All in all – a great start to the 2013 season!

The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 12,

beginning at 8 p.m., at the Pizza Joynt, 39 W. North Avenue, Northlake, Illinois.

Minutes of the May 8, 2013 Meeting of the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago

President Win Gould called the meeting to order

promptly at 8:01 pm. There were eighteen

members present.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the

April 10th meeting as published. The motion was

seconded and passed unanimously.

Reports:

Treasury—Ric Maitzen passed around the

Treasurer's report.

Membership— Ric Maitzen reported that there are

eighty paid members.

Regalia—Lou Louchios reported about regalia

sales. There were no sales of the stock regalia; five

of the oil drip pans have sold. The remaining five

will be taken to the July GOF in St. Louis.

Old Business:

The Spring Brunch Drive was a rousing success

with nineteen participants. The club extends its

THANKS! to Barb and Glenn Grossklags. Glenn

mentioned that he will be out of town next spring,

thus the Spring Brunch Drive needs a new chairman

for 2014.

Reinout mentioned that there were 24 participants

for the Spring Tune Up. He has dash plaques

shaped like half of an octagon for all of the

combined Chicagoland MG club events.

Jerry Cihak is continuing to work on Club polo

shirts.

New Business:

Ric Maitzen mentioned that he has dash plaques for

the Spring Tour, scheduled for May 18th

. The flyer

has the tour details, which include tours of a jail,

and a museum as well as Jerry Kaufman’s garage.

Reinout mentioned the Spring Chicken Rally, set

for May 19th

will end a George Pharris’ home.

The 2013 GOF Central is scheduled for July

however registrations must be in by June first. The

website is www.gofcentral.com. The hotel phone

number is 636-946-5544. Lou Louchios will mail

out a flyer to all members so they will have it before

the June first deadline.

The fourth of July parade will be a Vintage Club

“members only” event.

Brian Dubin received an email last month inquiring

if a “Replica TD” fiberglass body on a Ford Chassis

would be welcomed at club events. The question

was discussed at length and the answer is No.

There was a question of whether someone could pay

for an oil drip pan electronically; this is not possible

at this time.

Technical Topics:

Reinout bought a new throw-out bearing from

England, for his M Type. During installation he

found that one of the three brackets that secure the

clutch levers broke and left the vehicle. He plans to

make three new brackets.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm.

The meeting program was a movie of the 1961

British Racing and Sports Car Club, BRSCC

activities, brought by Marvin Primack. There were

a variety of cars racing; the drivers were both

BRSCC club members and professionals. The 1961

season consisted of twenty-two events and the cars

were not equipped with roll bars or seat belts. An

amusing British chap narrated the movie.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bob Lee, Secretary

The 2013 Driving Season is in full swing. We have already had several events with a great selection of MGs

and members from both clubs. And I hope that the editors found space to print the reviews of the events so that

those of you who weren't able to attend can read about them.

June promises to be another busy MG month with events just about every week. Russ and Amy Mehaffey will

present their second Land's End Rally. This is the oldest rally in the Chicagoland MG Club and it got the name

from the historic trial with the same name in England. In 1925. Cecil Kimber put his MG Car Company on the

map of serious sports cars with his win in Old Number One. In June 1981, 19 MG's participated in the

Chicagoland MG Club's first Land's End Rally. I know that we missed one year, maybe a couple more, so this

could very well be the 30th edition of our rally. And when there were 19 cars in 1981, from less than half the

membership of the two clubs today, we should easily be able to beat that in 2013. How about 30 MGs for

the (about) 30th Land's End Rally?

Dave Bralich will be presenting a new event, a Drive In Movie Night on Saturday evening the 22nd. If you are

not able to participate in the rallies and tours this month, this might be the type of night that you'll like to attend.

Just a drive to the theater and relax for a movie. When was the last time that you went to a drive in movie? For

me the answer is never, and we'll certainly be there!

The midweek experiment for the Jo Daviess Tour turns out to be a great success. More participants than ever

already registered. Please call Dan Herman if you're planning to go to this event. June also has two Auto Cross

events. Our Auto Cross coordinator Joel Brossard is moving out of the area and our most enthusiastic racer,

Seth Jones, is not able to be involved as much as he likes this year. Therefore we're looking for someone to

pick up the racing gloves and continue where Joel and Seth took the program.

Because there are so many new participants, and members from the Vintage group that are not familiar with the

Tulip system for directions in driving events, there is a separate article in this issue. I'll explain the history and

how to use the instructions. I hope that you agree with us that it is very simple and just about bullet proof in

preventing getting lost.

Please contact me at 847.342.9804 or reinoutvogt@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions. We like to

hear from you.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! JUNE MEETING TO FEATURE SHOW AND TELL

Your MG will be a key part of our June 12 meeting. Weather permitting, bring your MG to the Pizza Joynt

for a VMGCC traditional Show and Tell Night program. We’ll keep the business meeting short and spend

our time outside admiring and learning more about each other’s personal favorite MG

Directions

Monthly Column of Driving Events

“The more your drive the more you smile"

~~Reinout Vogt

VMGCC Spring Tour By Ed Hlavka

The day of the Spring Tour dawned bright and clear (despite about 10 days of the weatherman’s dour

prognostications). By 8:15 a.m. five MGs (all TDs) and a Honda SUV were assembled and ready to go. After a

90-minute ride enjoying scenic back roads and having an opportunity to inspect the current crop of road repair

projects the convoy arrived at fellow member Jerry Coffman’s garage in Crown Point, Indiana.

Jerry’s garage is very well equipped and the members had a good time inspecting everything. Bill Cole had an

opportunity to adjust one of the three spare distributors Greg Hoeft had brought. With Jerry as our guest, we

then drove into downtown Crown Point for a tour of the old Lake County jail—from which John Dillinger

escaped in 1934. It was a great tour and lasted well over an hour; lots of “mug shot” photos were taken.

Afterward we had lunch at a nearby restaurant; the Spring Tour then adjourned.

Our thanks to Nancy and Ric Maitzen for putting a great day together.

Garage Tour II – Saturday July 13

There is not going to be so much driving involved this time as the three garages that we’ll visit are all in close

proximity. But what you’ll get to see in these three garages is definitely going to make up for the lack of

driving fun. These places are packed with car related memorabilia, tools, parts and cars. It is going to be like a

mini museum tour with things to see and learn at every stop.

9:30 am: Meet at the first stop: Jeff and Sharon Powell's, 910 Hirsch Street, Melrose Park, IL 60160. This

garage has an MGB, a TC race car, an Indian motorcycle, and lots posters, signs, memorabilia, old tools, parts

and other things. There will be so much to see that Jeff has organized a Gargoyle Hunt to do while you’re

looking around. (You'll understand it when you get there.) Jeff and Sharon will also have coffee and rolls, and

there will be a few prizes for the winners of the hunt.

11:00 am: The tour then continues to Rey and Lupe Navarro's, 284 Bartram Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Rey

has a TC and an Austin Healy and some other non-MG’s in his garage.

12:00 noon: Leave for the drive to Andy Simo's garage at 7500 Industrial Drive, Forest Park, IL 60130

No MG's but a collection of several classic cars including a Stutz.

1:00 pm: Leave for lunch at Portillos, 7740 West Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, IL 60130.

There will be Tulip driving instructions for the short drives to every stop.

Please contact Reinout Vogt 847.342.9804 or reinoutvogt@gmail.com with any questions.

The three hosts graciously open their garage doors for us. Please make sure that you respect their directions

and be extremely careful with the museum quality items and cars on display.

For Sale

Does your T-type leak oil? If not, you can stop reading this now. But if your car leaks oil, you have a

few options available. You can remove your engine and install a Moss seal (very expensive), or you

can install a drip pan to catch the oil before it reaches the ground (very cheap). We have a limited

supply of drip pans that are easily installed on the rear of your bell housing. The cost for VMGCC

members is $60.00; for non-members it's $70.00. Contact Jerry Cihak to purchase this item

(jerrycihak@aol.com 708-246-6951.

The Tulip System By Reinout Vogt

Before we go into the details of the widely-used Tulip driving instruction system, let's first take a look at rallies

in general. A rally is a competitive event with automobiles. That means that participants drive their cars and at

the same time are involved in some kind of competitive activity. These competitive activities can be outright

speed (what you see on TV from the WRC), average speed (a.k.a. time speed distance or TSD), gimmicks and

questions (the kind that we usually have), and lastly, following the rally master's route correctly. Please note

that scoring in the first three types is not based on finding the correct route. Also note that in the 4th type,

participants easily get lost if they fail to find the route that the organizer had in mind. The first three types

should have driving instructions that are simple, straight-forward and unambiguous so that the participants

focus on the challenge of the competitive activity at hand; i.e. going as fast as possible (WRC), maintaining the

expected average speed (TSD) or finding the answers to questions, trivia or other gimmick activities. Today,

our clubs are only involved in the latter kind of rally, maximum or average speeds are never scored. Early

European rallies used a variety of driving instructions based on written turn-by-turn directions and maps. It was

very difficult to prevent participants from getting lost because of interpretation, difference in maps, and a

general lack of standardization. This caused that speed or gimmick rallies turned out to be more like the 4th

type; finding the rally master's route. And in doing so, rallies got their reputation for people getting lost, in-car

fights between driver and navigator, and divorce.

One of the famous speed scored rallies of the 50s and 60s was the Dutch Tulip Rally. Facing the problem just

described, they came up with a system of very simple sketches to indicate the directions they want the cars to

follow between, and more importantly during, the timed speed sections. The Tulip system became the standard

in rallying throughout the world and is used in just about every rally where finding the correct route itself is not

the challenge. The Tulip folks also were well ahead of their time because GPS systems today adapted a very

similar approach. Every instruction more or less consists of 5 elements: 1) Sketch of the road situation; 2) Dot

to indicate from which way you approach the intersection; 3) Arrow to indicate which route to follow; 4)

Distance from the previous instruction; 5) Some landmarks, such as street names, stoplights, stop signs etc.

Here are a few examples:

Instruction 1

In words this would be something like: In 1.2 miles go across Camp McDonald on Owen in a little bit offset

intersection. You see how much easier it is to

draw the offset intersection than to describe it

unambiguous?

Instruction 2

Self explanatory, right? Note that because it is

clear that you're looking for an end-of-road

situation, it is easy to find. Any intersection or

side road on the 3.4 mile stretch can simply be

ignored. The stop sign doesn't have to be drawn

like it is here. You can also use an abbreviation,

SS or so, as long as it is consistent.

Instruction 3

This one is clear also, isn't it? Turn left at the

stoplight at Dundee Road. Just like the stop sign

in instruction 2 the stop light can be abbreviated

or simplified.

Instruction 4

In 5.6 miles turn right on Ridge Road. Because the sketch shows the Portillo building at the intersection, you

don't have to slow down and check the name of every side street on the 5.6 mile stretch. Also the orientation of

the side street, angled, helps to identify the correct route easily

Some more details are:

The sketches indicate only when you really change directions. That is, turn left or right at a normal 4-way

intersection, T-junction, Y-split, or into a side street. The sketches are not to scale but should represent the

angle of the intersection. That is 90 degree, bear left/right at a Y etc. In between the sketches you follow the

road, as it curves through the landscape and as it sometimes goes straight across an intersection or passes any

side streets that you are not supposed to turn into. Because the sketches include the distance as well as some

land marks it is very easy to be sure that you're on the correct route. You ignore intersections and junctions that

do not match the looks of the next sketch or are not at the correct distance

Please note that the sketches are not oriented according to a compass. Just like Google and GPS systems, they

usually appear as you'd see them when you drive. There are many ways for a rally master to provide the Tulips

instructions. We've seen hand-drawn sketches and computer generated illustrations. The nice thing is that it

doesn't really matter. Because the system is so simple, it is very robust to the rally master's drawing or

publishing skills.

The other rule that we've tried to implement is that all landmarks, clues, gimmicks, questions etc. are on the

right side of the road, unless marked differently. This is very important from a safety point of view. It is the

driver's responsibility to drive the car. To do so safely, a driver can't be expected to pay attention to anything

other than the traffic situation at hand. The navigator can only really search for landmarks, clues, gimmicks,

questions etc. on one side of the road at a time. Therefore, these items should all be located on the right side so

that the driver doesn't need to help with watching for answers to questions and other distractions.

The Tulip system and the right-side-only clues proved to be very successful last year. In the rallies, tours and

events that adopted the system there were no reports of participants searching for the correct route or getting

lost. All teams arrived at the finish point smiling. No arguments! And even though the clues and answers were

all on the right side, there was enough differentiation in the results to score and celebrate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

results. And because the clues and answers were all on the right side, there were no stories of narrow escapes

and near misses by distracted drivers searching for answers instead of paying attention to traffic.

I hope that the 2013 rally masters will continue to use the Tulip system with the right-side only rule and, even

more so, I hope that you, the participants, will learn it quickly so that you can enjoy safe and easy driving events

without getting lost, without driver-navigator disagreements, and without accidents.

Please feel free to contact me at 847.342.9804 or reinoutvogt@gmail.com if you have any concerns or

questions. Safety Fast,

CMGC's Land's End Rally

June 9 - 9:30 a.m.

Meet at Calibre Coffee in Arboretum Shopping Center, NE corner of IL Rt-59 and Rt-72 (Higgins Rd)

100 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington, IL

With Russ and Amy Mehaffey organizing this classic rally, it promises to be a great time! This event is

the second oldest CMGC event on the calendar.

Russ Mehaffey – RussAmy57MGA@hotmail.com – 847-877-1925 (cell)

GOF Central Mk XXXV will be held at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles, Missouri

July 15-19, 2013

The St. Louis T's invite you to GOF Central Mark XXXV.

After a fun fill day going to tech sessions or touring the area looking for lost treasures and antiques the true expedition

starts. "The Expedition - First Timer's Show" will take place at the beautiful Creve Couer Lake. The cars parked near the

water front with the smells of food cooking in the air. The beautiful breeze and the great atmosphere of the GOF family

gathering. Meet new people and discuss the cars for a wonderful time. All are welcome to come and attend the First

Timer's show, while the judging will take place for just the first timers' cars.

The Rally will take us through the back roads of Missouri's Wine Country, where Lewis and Clark get lost and end up in

England. Oh my, how did this happen? What will our brave explores have to do to get back home? Find out more along

the way, through the beautiful country side where the sun shines through the tree tops and the river's flow.

The rolling hills and grape vines will be the background for the Car Show. Held at Noboleis Vineyards, the cars will be

right at home with the valve cover show and races taking place. With sitting under the shaded pavilion and all around the

show, everyone can get together and have a great time.

Along with the wonderful car shows, valve cover show, valve cover races, and the adventure through wine country, the

GOF Central 2013 will have a funkana where Lewis and Clark will have to wind through the course having a great time.

And just maybe they won't get lost this time.

A silent auction will be held, where everyone can place there bids for those treasures. If you are more into the excitement

of live bidding wars, you can place bids during our live auction. With items being auctioned off in quickness, you may

want to stop by and take a look at some of the great items being auction before hand in the registration room.

After all the fun throughout the week the awards banquet will be held at the St. Charles Convention Center. There will be

lots of great food for everyone one that attends, along with the car show awards ceremony.

Hope to see you all there!

Visit the official WEB Page

WWW.GOFCENTRAL.COM

for on-line registration link and additional information.

On-line registration and credit card payments can be

made by visiting: www.britishcarsofamerica.com

GOF Central Mk. XXXV – 2013 Name(s):

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Email:

Club Affiliation

1st Car Year/Model: 2nd Car Year/Model:

Has your car won 1st in class in at the GOF Central the past 5 years? Yes No Is this the first time your car has been to a GOF Central? Yes No Valve Cover Show entry? Yes No Valve Cover Race entry? Yes No Photo contest entry? Yes No Art/Craft contest entry? Yes No Scale Model contest entry? Yes No Auction Donation? Yes No

Auction Donation Description: ________________________________________________________

Registration (1 car) Early—$50.00; After 6/1/13—$60.00 $____________________ Additional Car(s) @ $10.00 each $____________________ First Timers Cookout $20/person $____________________ Bus Tour $30/person $____________________ Awards Banquet $40/person $____________________ Polo Shirt @ $30 each (S, M, L, XL, XXL, and 3XL for $5 additional) $____________________ T-Shirt @ $15 each (S, M, L, XL, XXL, and 3XL for $5 additional) $____________________ Vendor/Swap Table @ $15/per table $____________________ TOTAL: $

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Checks should be payable to GOF Central.

Sent to: GOF Central, 2338 N. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63114

Credit Card payments can be made by registering at www.britishcarsofamerica.com or by contacting

gof@britishcarsofamerica.com. Please leave a name and phone number and someone will get back to you.

If you have any questions please contact gof@britishcarsofamerica.com or 314-428-9335. Ask for Adrianne.

STEVE'S BRITISH CONNECTION

WANTED: EUROPEAN antique, classic cars.

Jaguar, Austin-Healy, MG, Morgan, Triumph, 356,

190SL, Alfa Romeo, Riley, Land Rover, Singer.

Also pre-War cars and other interesting European

cars in ANY CONDITION, ANY LOCATION

Please call 630-553-9023

E-mail SBCINC@aol.com

www.stevesbritishconnection.com

Columbia Restorations

Gregory Serduke (708) 715-5517

Drivability Issues * Resurrections * Engine Rebuilding High Performance Upgrade * 5-Speed Conversions *

Custom Enhancements * Elect Rewiring * Metal Polishing Mappa & Walnut Burl Dash & Brake work

E-Mail: ColumbiaRestorations@hotmail.com

“Sterling Recommendation from Gerry Risner”

VMGCC REGALIA

Qty. Item Price Amount Send Regalia orders to:

Lou Louchios

3101 West Frontage Rd.

Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Orders may be picked up at regular business meetings

with no postage charge. Contact Lou first.

e-mail: Mgairline35@aol.com phone: 847 397-0623

First Name

________________________

Last Name

________________________

Lapel Pin 1" 6.00

Key Ring 1" 6.00

Stick Pin 1" 6.00

Charm 3/4" 5.00

Tie Tack 3/4" 5.00

Lapel Pin 3/4" 5.00

Name Tag 12.00

Decal-transfer 1.00

Car Badge 25.00

Patch, sew-on 6.00

Cap (black or tan) 12.00

2005 GOF Lapel Pin 2.00

2005 GOF Dash Plaque 1.00

VMGCC Flashlight 10.00

MG License Plate

Frame

15.00

Postage 3.00

Total

Name: Address:

Phone:

Membership Application and Renewal Dues and registration: $25.00 per year

Make your check payable to: Vintage MG Car Club

Mail your payment to: Rick Maitzen

2881 Fredric Court

Northbrook, IL 60062

Include the following with your dues. We will use this information to update our membership directory

Name:___________________________________ Spouse or Partner:_________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________ Home Phone:_________________________________

Street:_____________________________________________ Business Phone: ______________________________

City:_______________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

State and Zip:__________________________ Send me the newsletter only by email: ____________

Please list your MGs, including Model and Year: Send me a hard copy of the newsletter: ____________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

__

Vintage MG Car Club

c/o Editor 1814 Illinois Road

Northbrook, IL 60062

First Class Mail

Officers and Directors – 2013

President: Win Gould; Vice President: Don Ross; Secretary: Bob Lee; Treasurer: Ric Maitzen;

Board of Directors: Jerry Cihak, Brian Dubin, Glenn Grossklags Newsletter: Greg Hoeft- Editor; Lou Louchios- Distribution

Website: www.vintagemgchicago.com Email Contact: editor@vintagemgchicago.com

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, June 9 - CMGC Land's End Rally

Wednesday, June 12 - VMGCC Club Meeting, Pizza Joynt

Saturday, June 22 - CMGC Drive-in Movie Nite (chicagolandmgclub.com for more info)

Wednesday, July 10 - VMGCC Club Meeting, Pizza Joynt

July 15-19 - GOF Central, St. Charles, MO