2005: Let's Make Plans

I had discussed with Andreas the possibility of putting together a sort of rally that follows the Lake Michigan scenic tour, the one you see signs for. The whole thing might be too much driving (or maybe not) but a long weekend could be fun, even if we had to short-cut it. The only question would be the degree to which you'd want to structure it, since the possibilities range from just getting in and driving, to having planned events at pre-selected stops and so on. Things to mull over these next cold months.

 

Anyone going to the "First Look" the night before the Chicago Auto Show 2/10?
I was there last year... great time!
Great food, interesting entertainment. Plus, you do not have to compete with a bunch of 12 year olds to sit in a car.
The wife and I are going, bringing a some friends.
I think it is $150/person.

 

Well thanks,Chuck,for that enthusiasm! I Whole-Heartedly agree!!!Yes,Andreas,Dave,Skip,You and I,Chelle and Haley had planned ALOT of great events last year. Most,however,lacked much,if any,attendence other than ourselves...But,WE did have some fun,though!... Check out the www.focmidwest.com site. That shows just a few of the events that we did last year. But,not all...

We have also already been planning/planned some events for this coming Year already. But,totally open for any input from everyone else,too. Very much anticipated,Welcome and appreciated!

Last year,I think that some of the problem was that couple of the FCA's events,were on the Weekends.(Our Driving events are F.O.C. Planned or Sponsored,mostly,also on the Weekends...)

And Grand Prix Races,again,on Weekends,(But...which,can easily be Recorded IF you don't feel like getting up at 2:30AM to watch them... Or...can be seen at their Re-Broadcast,in the Evening,usually at 8:00PM.So,never to be missed.)

Then,Everybody has their own Personal & Family obligations. FIRST PRIORITY,No Doubt! I know that I do,too....But,we Finally got the car of our Dreams...whatever it may be...Gotta make SOME time for that,too. Bring the Mrs. or a Buddy,Son,Daughter,whomever,along!

But,we have been trying to organize As Many Events possible,to,not only Enjoy the little Driving time that we do have. But,also,hopefully,so that if somebody can't make it to one event,maybe you can make it to another. But,they have been there for Everyone to join in and enjoy...

We have been trying to Promote the Ferrari Owners Club,(F.O.C.) Here in the Chicagoland,AND Midwest Area. It had been "Dormant" for many Years. We decided to "Resurrect" it,last Spring. The Motto of the F.O.C. is: "We DRIVE!". THAT is exactly Why we decided to get it back up and running. As,WE...All of us...PREFER to Drive and Enjoy our cars,more than Park and Show. We do those,too. But,our Emphasis is on the "Driving" part... (I have a "Show and Shine" in my Garage alll week long...I Want to DRIVE my Car!!!!... )

To be a Member of the F.O.C. does NOT require ownership of a Ferrari...Just the Passion...Of Ferrari,and All Bella Italian Machinery...

There are quite a few "Perks" of Membership. If you want to "P/M" Me,I can fill you in. It is not expensive to Join.

But,even if you don't want to join the F.O.C.,You can still certainly join us on any and all of the Events. But,you will not get any of the Benefits("Perks",really) of Club Membership.

If anyone would be interested in the F.O.C.,Just Contact Me or Andreas,Dave,or Skip. We will fill you in. And,come to our Karting Event in March...(You do not have to Participate,if you don't want to. I cannot,due to all of my Previous Motor Vehicle,ummm,"Incidents"... ) But,you can still come. No charge if you aren't Driving. But,it is Fun to Watch. They also have a Full Service Restaraunt,(Great Food) Bar,Pool tables,Video Games,Etc...

The next "Event",(well,it's not really an Event...) is that we'd like to get as many of us all together to meet at the Chicago Auto Show. Check out the Ferrari and Lamborghini booths. Eat at a Restaraunt there,and talk about plans for 2005 all together. I'm guessing,though,that not everyone will be able to attend the same day. So,we should start figuring out what would be the best day for the majority of us. And,possibly,those who cannot come that day,can meet up together on another day...?

We had a great turnout at our Christmas Party,early in December. I hope that we get the same turnout this Year at Driving events.... To be honest with you. If you missed them,you really did miss something. We had some great Drives,and really had a great time.

Also,we'd like to discuss the F.O.C.,and our Plans for the Future..Which,will include some pretty spectacular events...We have LOTS of Great ideas...Always looking for more!!! But,we are definitely Planning lots of great things for the Future. Track Days,Overnight Trips,Meeting Fellow owners and enthusiasts from all around the Midwest,Ferry Trip,etc...etc...etc... Also,need a few more who'd like to help out...More Board positions...More than likely. We need all the help we can get!!! We'll have to talk about that.

Hope to see everyone MORE this Year!!!!

 

I'd be up for that one. I usually try and go on a mid-week afternoon for the obvious reasons. I'm hoping to have more time for the events this year...

 

Yeah,that is what I was thinking...I can also go during the week,and weekend. So,if we can get some of us together for a meet during the week. And,another on a weekend day. I will go twice.

I always get free passes, (sorry,all,only a couple...) and have been hitting the Chicago Auto Show since I was 10 years old...back in 1970. When 'Vettes were about $5000.00. Hemi 'Cuda's,Chargers and Challengers,maybe $6K ... Ferrari's...? (need alittle help from someone older than me on that one... )

 

Good thread. Because we only want to promote events that people are actually interested in. We tried the couple of days event this year and nobody signed up. That's not to say, we can't have one next year, but my guess is that chances are slim.

Regardless, please use this forum to voice your opinion and tell us what you'd like to see.

Here is what FOC has planned so far for 2005:
http://www.focmidwest.com/services.html

· February 11 Chicago Car show at Mc Cormick Place
· March Indoor Karting race in Buffalo Grove
· April Spring drive into Wisconsin
· May Track event together with Fox Valley Motors
. June Cruise night
· July Concours with the Hospital for Veterans
· August Scenic drive on Lake Shore Dr. in Chicago
· September Hooters car show contest in Chicago
· September Route 66 drive
· October Fall drive
· November 25 Get together at the Rock in Chicago
· December X-mas party, awards

So basically it is a repeat of the events of 2004 that were successful. None of this is written in stone, so tell us what you like and dislike. Also we deliberately did not pick any dates as it is easier to do that when we get closer.

Not included yet is the Muskegon drive, but we'll add that when we get closer.

Other ideas we had were an "Eating out event" at a fifties style diner and another one was to watch a Ferrari themed movie at a drive-in movie theater (does anybody know of one nearby?). Just ideas.

And to complete the picture, here a brief (and not comprehensive) list of FCA's main events:

- Ferraris on Oak Street
- Automobili Italiani
- FCA National combined with USGP in Indy
- Ferraris on Monroe Street

Sadly no party at Mike E.'s home. Understandably as he'll be busy putting Indy together.

So let's here it from you folks: Tell me what you want, what you really really want...

 

I brought up the 50s style diner thing. Even if it wasn't a planned event I am sure Chuck or Frank, ( bacon double cheeseburger veterans like myself, ) wouldn't mind meeting up at Portillos or something. But if I can recall from my business travels, aren't there a few A&W or Dogs-N-Suds along the ILL/WI border? Regardless, we can always just zip up to the Brat Stop. I know of a spectacular photo op site in Mundelien. You people are just fun to be with: offering great stories on everything from the cars we love to the lands you grew up in.

A group attack on the auto show would be stellar. I agree with Jack that the best time would be in the middle of the week as fighting the kids to just catch a glimpse of a car is slightly annoying. Though I do not blame them entirely too much as I was probably once one of them and as auto show vets remember its kind of funny to see their bags filled with flyers from Kia to Daewoo explode. I got a behind the rope tour of the Ferrari booth after talking to the NA Ferrari rep about the Maser's clutch exploding. I am sure one of you has a pass and not a joke to get in.

I think its a shame none of Andreas' F1 lunches works out, so I will try to make it to one.

The VA show was awesome, the girls did a great thing. If I am free I will go again and try to bring multiple cars from my Father's impressive stable. All my business associates, with the exception of one, drive large SUVs and trucks but otherwise I will try to recruit some more eye candy. Any theme rides/shows to help others is always a plus in my book.

I will be looking at purchasing a home in the burbs soon so maybe a cookout can be in order late summer.

RocketBoy

 

Is this at Chicago Indoor Racing?

Nice place... I run on the sprint leagues there.

 

Yes, here some pics from this year's event:
http://www.focmidwest.com/IndoorKarting2004.html

 

Looks like you guys had a good time...

Need to get more exotics in the parking lot though

I'm up there all the time, so I'd probably be up for joining you guys in March. If you ever see a bright green Lotus Elise in the parking lot on a nice day, look for the 5'5" scrawny guy with a black helmet and say hello

 

We had,I believe,6 or 7 Ferrari's up there at the Indoor Karting Place that day. Maybe that shot didn't show them all...

Yes,I like Chuck's idea of getting all together and watching an F1 Race together somewhere. But,most are very early in the A.M.,or Rebroadcast in the Evening. But,there are a couple that start later in the Morning.

I know a few Restaraunt owners,and will check with them. But,what I had envisioned,was that we all bring our Exotic Italian Cars to a Restaraunt. (Preferably,an Italian one...) They get a Free Ferrari Show,either right in Front of their place,or in their Lot. (And,hopefully,boost their business for the day) We get a deal on Lunch and Drinks,and watch the Race. Sound like a good idea? Anyone else have a Restaraunt connect?

As I mentioned...I will check with the guys that I know. But,if they don't have a Big TV and Cable, (I am not sure...been on a Diet lately,and haven't visited... ) Then,we could always approach some other place. One idea I had would be the Pompei Italian Restaraunt right on Busy 22nd. St. in Oakbrook. Easy to get to for everyone,from anywhere. BIG,Safe Parking Lot,right along 22nd. St.....Naturally,I would have to see if they would even be interested. But,I think that it would be really easy to find a nice place that would Love to do that sort of thing...

 

Hi guys, hope everyone had a good new years!

As for the suggestion, I would have to say Amici's on Milwaukee Ave in Niles, IL. They have a good size lot and recently remodeled the entire place off an Italian villa. I'm the owner's cousin and making it happen would be no problem. Amicis is easy to get too off of 294. Just a thought!
Mike

 

That sounds great! And,Niles is pretty much right in the Middle of where everyone lives. And,as you said,easy to get to. We'll definitely have to look into it. Do they have a big TV to watch the Race on?

 

I believe they do but I haven't been in since they remodeled. I'll jump in one day and say hi and ask them what they think about it. I'm sure they would love the idea.

-mike

 

That sounds great. Look into it,please,if you can. I know a few restaraunt owners. But,only 1 is an Italian restaraunt. I'll see if he'd like to do it,too.

 

...and if you guys want to do something outside the Chicago area, then participated in the Playersun ( June 3rd - 8th ) or the the Rally Of The Rockies ( September 1st - 4th ) ;O)

Markus

 

Will Playersrun be visiting Chicago again this year and if so, is there a date yet?

Chuck, Autobahnclub with Alfas sounds like a good idea. Pls keep us posted. Would be fun to make this a FOC event.

 

Unfortunately not this year. We had a lot of fun last year in Chicago, what a city it is ;O) With a city like Chicago, who needs driving events anyway ;O) This year we are driving from Seattle to San Diego.

I just picked up the city name Muskegon somewhere on here...we were actually scouting Muskegon last January as a possible route for the Playersrun ( using the ferry ). We then decided not do it due to lack of a good hotel...What a strange place Muskegon is in the winter though ( I heard it's really nice in the summer ).

Markus