Tim let me know that the Great American Jeep Rally will happen on September 17 in Ellington, Connecticut. You can learn more here: http://www.jeeprally.org
Tim let me know that the Great American Jeep Rally will happen on September 17 in Ellington, Connecticut. You can learn more here: http://www.jeeprally.org
Saturday morning in Ethel started with a driver’s meeting at 8:30am. This has been standard practice for decades, the intent being to let driver’s know of any changes to the schedule, heats, classes, and courses. Some folks always have a skip in their step, others, like me, not born as morning folks, view it as the crack of dawn. Eventually my caffeine kicked in and things began to make sense.
After the driver’s meeting is a parade of jeeps, something that I never remember doing. Most of the racers line up and slowly drive the obstacle course. Not only do you get to see the course first hand, but it seems like a great group activity.

The line was pretty long. If you look near the top of the photo you can see the beginning of the parade of jeeps.
Here’s a short video:
Once the parade was finished it was time to race. About that time, the drizzle began to fall, adding some extra water to the already muddy track. The kids lined up to race first. During that time Jeff Miller introduced himself to me. We’d exchanged emails not long after I started eWillys. At that time he shared his Jewel’s Stainless Jeep with readers. Jeff has been a regular reader of eWillys since.
For much of the 1990s Jeff raced a jeep, but then he put racing on hold. It wasn’t until this year that he finally assembled another racing so he could reenter the sport. Like me, he’s fond of the Bobcat and Parkette bodies, so it’s no surprise that his race uses a Parkette shell. The jeep is a little more old school, powered by a 331 Stroker connected to a Ford Toploader and Dana 20. Not much is jeep other than that Dana 20. The hood is a piece of aluminum that a shop rolled for him so the angles from the grille to the body would look correct. It’s a nifty, clean piece. Holding the hood to the fenders are some original, stamped, Jewels stainless latches. As you can imagine, my shirt was wet from my drool. It’s a beautiful rig and it’s obvious he’s proud of it.
Yesterday I made my way from the warm dry eastern Washington desert to the ‘wet’ side of the State. I was not surprised when I hit light rain as I approached the western slope of the Cascades.

At the top of 4500ft White Pass. Beyond the motorhome is the White Pass Ski Area. Let the rain commence!
However, by the time I arrived at the Ethel property where Overbored Racing & R.A.C.E are holding their Labor Day Weekend race, the rain abated, replaced with some sun. Hopefully the weather holds!
I’m here at the invitation of Rob Stafford, who suggested I attend, baiting me with a couple of rides in a race jeep. That’s a hard thing for me to pass up. I haven’t raced since 1986- Memorial Day 1986, not that I’m counting or anything-and I still miss it. Thanks to my mother-in-law, whose motorhome I borrowed, I could attend. Sadly, Ann isn’t with me as she had a prior engagement in Spokane. Continue reading

The Toledo Blade published a second article as well: http://www.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2016/08/07/Jeep-was-indispensable-to-Allied-victory.html
Paul Tople shot these photos at the 2016 Experimental Aviation Association’s “Airventure” in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.



UPDATE: Some additional photos of the event, including the t-shirts, have been added.

Author Jim Allen dropped by the event as did Craig Brockhaus with his new FC Van named Marilyn (it came with the name). Roger Martin is standing to the left.
This past weekend was the 2016 SW Ohio Jeep FC Gathering at Roger Martin’s place. Unfortunately, the threat of rain keep some folks away. Given the rain that fell in Maryland over the weekend, there was good reason for concern. However, the rain pretty much skipped over Roger’s place. Roger has some t-shirts left over that are for sale. You can see them at the end of this post. Call Roger at 937-477-5270 for more info.
One of the stars of the show was Craig Brockhaus’s newly acquired FC from Sweden named “Marilyn”. It has only been in the US for 16 days, so very few folks have had a chance to inspect it. “Marilyn” started right up and purred like a kitten. It was part of a photo shoot/video on the property.
Jim Allen, writer/author, enjoyed his inspection of the van. He was asking questions and taking pictures.
Bill Robinette (and son, Ed) brought his Jeepster. Bill is the original owner. He bought it new in 1950. The story goes, ” Ed had a 1948 CJ 2a, which was their only transportation. One day it was raining and his wife said her feet were getting wet so they went to the Jeep dealer, Marshall Brothers, in Alpha, Ohio to get an new rubber seal. Instead, they got a new rubber seal with everything that goes around it. Ed drove it to school and wanted to put a big engine in it, but his dad wouldn’t let him. It is still original.”
Greg Houk brought an FC170 with a Auburn trencher and blade on the front, along with an FC-150 with a Shriner’s jeep on the back.
Richard Kimball brought his FC Firetruck on Friday. Roger’s 9 FC’s were scattered about. He has 8 FC170’s (5 are DRW), and 1 FC150.
UPDATE: Roger wanted to alert those people coming to his FC event this weekend that there’s been a road closure:
My road, Roaxanna New Burlington Rd. which connects SR 42 and SR 380, is closed just after the intersection off SR 42
DETOURS:
From Xenia and SR 35, it would be easiest to take SR 380 south out of Xenia. Go about 10 miles and turn right onto Roxanna New Burlington Road My place is about 3 miles on the left. The driveway is directly across from Houston Rd.
From Interstate 71 (Cincinnati/Columbus) take SR 73, Exit 45, east toward the gas stations and red light (SR 380); Turn north (toward Xenia). Roxanna New Burlington Road is about 6 miles…on the left. My place is about 3 miles on the left. The driveway is directly across from Houston Rd.
From Interstate 75 (Cincinnati/Dayton) take the Springboro exit onto SR 73 east. Stay on SR 73 through Waynesville, over Caesar Creek Lake, across Interstate 71 toward the gas stations and red light (SR 380); Turn north (toward Xenia). Roxanna New Burlington Road is about 6 miles…on the left. My place is about 3 miles on the left. The driveway is directly across from Houston Rd.
If you are using a GPS…other roads that are nearby are: Spring Valley/Paintersville Rd.…connects to Cornstalk….connects to Houston (across from my place).
My address is: 1905 Roxanna New Burlington Road, Waynesville, OH 45068.
Need directions call: Roger at 937-477-5270 or Sharon at: 513-312-6390.
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The second annual Jeep Forward Control Gathering happens this weekend, July 29, 30, 31, in Waynesville, Ohio. There’s also more information at http://thefcconnection.com/jeep_forward_control_meet_-_ohio_-_july_29-31,_2016.htm.
Edward Fausel, event manager at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, is looking for a few FCs to add to the 2016 AutoFair. He already has a variety of unique jeeps both young and old, military and off road, along with drag jeeps, and would love to get some FC’s. The event takes place September 22-25, 2016.
If interested in attending, you can contact him at:
Office (704) 455-3282
Cell (980) 258-1094
The 41st Annual Military Vehicle Preservation Association International Convention will be August 11-13, 2016 in Pleasanton, CA, USA at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. See 200 vehicles including a “75th Anniversary of the Jeep” line up. Host hotel, onsite camping, living history, dinners, offsite excursions, vendors, seminars. Even “Troop Train” rides! Open to the public, some activities for MVPA members only. See all info on www.MVPA.org.
Christian and his group of jeep enthusiasts gathered together once again. He reports they had fun, despite some heavy rain. Joining them was a couple from the UK, James and Annie, who are traveling around Europe in their Willys MB. I’m hoping to find out if James and Annie are reporting on their adventure online.
http://www.willys-am-tegernsee.de

Bob Christy is putting on another jeep show this September 11th. I’m sure it will be another good one!
