Russ sent along an update on this years Willys Rally, which takes place May 30th & 31st.
2025 Willys Jeep Rally
February 22, 2025 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Event Research Archives
Salt Lake Off-Road and Outdoor Expo 2025
February 21, 2025 • CATEGORIES: Event This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Ran across this event, 10th annual Salt Lake Off-Road and Outdoor Expo. Might be some Willys stuff here.
Feb 28th – March 1st
Volunteer opportunities are available.
It was posted on OWF as a cross post from ECJ5 about Novaks NovaDrive unit will be on display. It’s an overdrive for select transmissions, don’t have a ton of info on it, but seems like a coming soon deal.
But Novak is a great vendor to our Willys community providing some really slick transmission and powertrain swap products. They also have a great research area and library of information on all sorts of stuff.
No skin in the game here for eWillys, not associated with the event just sharing what looks to be a quality event if your in the Salt Lake area looking for something to do maybe check it out.
Fun Racing, But Bad Eyes
This weekend we tried pulling the trailer and jeep with the Alpine; I could rarely feel back there. I expect it will pull the tour jeep well also (when the time comes).
We spent part of this Labor Day weekend at the OverBored race, which is always a fun time. Unfortunately, the poor cell reception meant I couldn’t do updates while there, hence the delay in them.
While the jeep performed well, especially the power steering, thanks to the modifications I made to the pump, my deteriorating eye sight proved to be an insurmountable obstacle to success.
A year ago I had the detached retina. Prior to surgery in late August of 2023 I was warned that the surgery could cause the quick onset of a cataract. Following the surgery, everything seemed fine, but by Feb 2024 my left eye’s vision changed (cloudier with poor vision clarity) enough that I needed a new prescription. By May of 2024, the cataract rose to a 3 on a scale of 1-4, necessitating a new prescription, again. By late July, my eye sight declined further, so the eye-doc set me up with a Cataract clinic consult, but that won’t be until the end of October.
Nonetheless, I decided to try racing this weekend, as the jeep (and the Alpine coach) needed another shakedown, even though I figured the poor sight in the left eye might play into slow times. Sure enough, during my obstacle course run, while the jeep was raring to go, I hesitated quite a bit, as my glasses, which fit snuggly in my helmet, still vibrated slightly, leading me a few times to momentarily be unable to see where the course led. Though I completed the first race without making a mistake, I also knew I didn’t go as fast as I thought the jeep was capable of going.
For the second run, this time on the Cross Country course, I decided to be more aggressive. For example, I wanted to see how well the rear end kicked out around barrels, so I was more liberal with my sharp turns and gunning it, which, indeed, caused the jeep to spin nicely around the curves at time. Unfortunately, the speed caused me to make two mistakes. The first time I started to turn where there wasn’t a turn, but that time I just backed up, then got back on course. The second time I rocketed out into the open, only to lose track of which direction to go (it wasn’t well marked, but it’s still my fault). As a result, I ended up going around the outside of the course for about 50ft rather than staying in the correct lane. Basically, I guessed wrong.
For those times I could see, I was having a blast. I could feel what Leftovers was capable of doing and that felt great.
Rob Stafford and I talking while I waited my turn at the Cross Country course.
So, for me, that’s the end of the racing season this year. Hopefully, the cataract surgery occurs without issue (lots of folks report that it’s the best thing they’ve had done) and I can return next May with more success and more aggressive runs.
Anyway, here are some photos from this past weekend, thanks to Ann. We’ll start with a few valve-cover racing photos. Overbored runs this event each year. As the name implies, you build a rolling car from a valve cover. The valve car weight limit is 10lbs. The kids run their cars first, followed later by the adults. Here are some of the kid photos. The first shows Rob and Diana Stafford setting up the track.
The 2024 PNW4WDA Convention
August 19, 2024 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features • TAGS: Leftovers-racer. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Here I am Wednesday finishing up the lettering Ann made using her Cricut machine. We’ll see if they hold up!
On Thursday we loaded up for our six-hour drive to the west side of the state for Summer Convention. This weekend was very much a test weekend, for the motorhome, for the race jeep, for the trailer carrying the race jeep, etc. And, it didn’t take long for us to run into a problem. When I attempted to hook the trailer to the back of the motorhome, I discovered the hitch and ball did not sit low enough, so when I hooked up the trailer, it was sitting at too much of an angle. Arghhhh! Since we planned to take the truck anyway (just in case we had a problem), we just hooked the trailer to the truck, which Ann drove.
Race jeep loaded and ready for the road.
We arrived early to get a good camping spot and to get through the tech inspection. An old jeep friend Mike Julsrud was manning the clipboard, so it was great to catch up with him. Many ears ago we raced against each other in the 20 and under class, called the “Under the Hill Gang”; these days, we are “way over the Hill Gang”, lol.
On Friday morning, following the 8am driver’s meeting, Ann accompanied me and other racers on a parade lap of the obstacle and cross country courses. It’s a nice way for folks to tour the courses together, get a sense of where to drive, and a great community event. One concern bubbled up during our drive, the engine got a little hotter than it should have. One suggestion was that the timing might need to shift slightly, so I’ll give that a try. The good news is that, during my first run, the temp stayed where it should.
Me at the driver’s meeting with Betty Page and Lizzy in tow. The dogs came with us this weekend and, to our surprise and relief, were really well behaved!
As we waited for the parade lap to begin, Diana Stafford photo bombed us in the Stafford’s race jeep.
Here we are starting the parade lap on the obstacle course. This course was more wide open than the cross country course, which is where the jeeps went next. That truck in front of us wasn’t racing; it was just taking the opportunity to tour the track.
In this first video that Ann took, we were on the obstacle course, I was puttering along in 2nd gear, low range, but the video makes it seem like I was going faster:
Here’s a second video Ann shot just a few seconds later: Continue reading
2024 Southwest Ohio FC Gathering July 26-28
UPDATE: Next weekend is the 10th Annual Southwest Ohio Jeep FC Gathering & Swap Meet. If you aren’t attending, but want to order a T-shirt, you can use this link to do that.
https://www.designsnow.biz/product-page/jeep-fc-gathering-tshirt-2024
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If you are interested in attending, contact Roger or Sharon for more info:
Roger and Sharon Martin’s Place
1905 Roxanna New Burlington Road Waynesville, OH 45068
937-477-5270 rogerjm55 @gmail.com
Saturday Morning Bantam Festival Photos
Thanks to Roger Martin for sharing these Saturday morning photos from the Bantam Festival’s jeep history display. You can see Roger’s M-677 and his FC Fire Truck in a couple photos.
Bantam Jeep Festival Photos
Roger Martin shared these photos he took today (Friday) at this year’s Bantam Jeep Festival.
Chris @ Bantam Jeep Festival
Chris, aka thegrilleguy, is selling a variety of things at this year’s Bantam Jeep Festival, so drop by and say hello.
Great Willys Picnic and Bantam Fest This Weekend
This weekend is the Great Willys Picnic (in Kempton, PA) and Bantam Fest (in Butler, PA).
2024 Willys Rally
I was going to post many more updates, but a hay baler breaking down put a stop to that (long story). More updates Sunday morning.
This weekend is the Willys Rally at Heuston Woods. Tom was kind enough to take some pics for us.
31st Annual 2024 Willys Reunion this Weekend
UPDATE: Accidentally had this year as the 30th year!
This year marks the 31st time the Spring Willys Reunion has been held. My hope is that next year I or we can figure out a way to attend with the tour jeep in tow.
Annual CT Military Vehicle Show June 15, 2024
The Comvec-Connecticut Military Vehicle Collectors Club will be holding its annual military vehicle show and flea market June 15, 2024.
September 1966 Eastern European Caravan
March 11, 2024 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Event, Features, Magazine • TAGS: Four-Wheeler-Magazine. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
UPDATE: More information on the goal of Kaiser-Jeep’s 1966 Eastern European Caravan. This article was published on page 7 of the May 14, 1966, issue of International Commerce, a US Department of Commerce Weekly magazine. In it, the Commerce Department’s ostensible goal was as an “imaginative technique to promote U.S. Exports”, as part to the U.S. Government’s continuing effort to promote East-West Trade. It’s possible the trip was underwritten in some form (cash or government favors or both) to encourage Kaiser-Jeep to participate.
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This September 1966 Four Wheeler Magazine article describes the scene when the Kaiser-Jeep sponsored Eastern European Caravan crossed into (then) Czechoslovakia, as a line of restored and refurbed jeeps awaited them. Remember, that no new parts had even available to these die-hard jeep fans since 1946, making their rebuilds even more remarkable. The Prague Jeep Club alone had more than 300 jeeps and 400 members.
The 1966 Jeep News Volume 12 Number 3 has more information.
2024 Willys Rally Heuston Woods, OH May 31-June 1
This years Willys Rally at Heuston Woods will be held May 31-June 1.
Learn more here http://www.mw-willysjeep.com or on Facebook.
2024 Arizona Military Vehicle Show Jan 26-28
Joe-in-Mesa tells me this will be the biggest AMVCC show yet! I wish I could attend, but I’m busy with things around here right now. Learn more here: http://www.armytrucks.org/
Joe wrote, “This year promises to be a truly great one, with over 100 military vehicles on display representing every era from the World War One to the Global War on Terror. There’s a Swap Meet of militaria, surplus and parts for sale, plus Food Trucks! Luke AFB is setting up a cool display. We’ll even have the large towed models of both the USS Arizona battleship and USS Phoenix submarine on hand. Come on out; buy a T-shirt and raffle tickets. Help support both our non-profit Military Vehicle Club AND Dogs4Vets (the American Service Animal Society).”
Pics from the Mason Dixon Show
Roger Martin took these photos from the last weekend’s Mason Dixon show. In no particular order …
2023 Toledo JeepFest
Roger Martin attended this year’s Toledo Jeep Fest this weekend. He brought along his 1947 CJ-2A, an M-677, and his FC Fire Truck. He also took photos of the jeeps at the show, along with some merchandise for sale and a few of the parade.
Fall Willys Jeep Reunion September 8-9, 2023
More information on this years Fall Willys Reunion & Swap Meet here: http://willysreunion.com/fwr23.htm
“Join us once again at the Auto World Museum 200 Peacock Drive in Fulton, Missouri for this year’s Fall Willys Reunion. Bring your Willys or Jeep to be displayed with other Willys from around the Midwest and check out the fabulous vintage car display at the museum. All reunion activity including the Saturday evening banquet will be held in this nostalgic facility.”
Epic Willys Adventure 4: Concord Cup – Concluded
Photo courtesy of the Cranberry Eagle: https://www.cranberryeagle.com/2023/06/07/the-chase-for-the-inaugural-concord-cup-begins-at-bantam/
UPDATE II: On June 11th, eight different teams launched the race for the inaugural Concord Cup. One of the cool features employed is the map, which allows folks to follow racers: https://www.followmychallenge.com/live/epicwillysadventure/ . It also includes a REPLAY feature which allows viewers to revisit the race for all the days.
I was finally able to find some pics of the finish on Facebook, which shows two jeeps crossing the finishing line, one after the other:
The winner was “Rusty Trombone” with Adam and Steve. Close behind, coming in second(?) looks to be “Roos Racer” with Scott and Joe.
You can see more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/EpicWillysAdventure/photos
It sounds like the event went well and those participants who did report on FB seemed to be having fun. When I saw reports on Facebook, I republished them on eWillys FB when I could. However, as a casual viewer, my tiny critique was the difficulty of figuring out what was happening, who was ahead and, even, who won (eventually I tracked down the info on FB). Timd32 had a similar sentiment when he wrote on OWF: “From what I can piece together on FB, Instagram and the sort they are doing awesome”.
Having done many travelogues over an eight year period, trust me that I GET the challenge! It is hard and time consuming to be a participant, then have post-drive fraternization, and also update readers with progress updates (my late nights-into-early-mornings in motel rooms with crappy wifi along the Alaska Highway attest to that fact), along with context for those readers who might, for example, not be aware of the event until day 3. In fact, when on the road with Ann, we tried to stop by 5pm so I could write updates (that would take hours), which is why we did little to nothing in the evenings (thankfully, Ann was usually worn out by then).
The only answer I can think of is a dedicated reporter along the way with a dedicated location for updates accessible to all, probably to a website (a surprising number of people still don’t use FB). Myself, I don’t use Instagram or TikTok.
Again, that’s just a little critique. I’m glad to hear participants had fun and that the race was deemed a success. Based on the Bantam Festival’s post, they’d like to see the event held again.
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UPDATE Posted Nov 9, 2022: Check on out this recent video that shares more information about this year’s Concord Cup.
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Initially published June 22, 2022:
The 2023 Epic Willys Adventure 4 was announced at this year’s Bantam Festival. This time, there will be new twists to the event, including turning it into more of a competition or rally. Text from the video post:
“@mrmaxbilt and @jonahmhodgkins laying out the details for EWA 4! Pseudo live. June of 2023 we will depart from @bantamjeepfest on a 2000 mile adventure up through New England in 40s-60s period correct Willys Jeeps! New twist this trip, it’s a race! A challenge. A rally. Each day, each rig, it’s driver and co-pilot will be timed from stop to stop, with an array of challenges to complete. All while keeping their Willys running and rolling. Best time overall at the end wins the coveted Concord Cup!
Applications to compete will open this fall and all the rules, regulations, and stipulations will be announced later this summer. Follow Epic Willys Adventure here on IG, on FB, and at epicwillysadventure.com for updates!”
Here’s the video: https://www.facebook.com/EpicWillysAdventure/videos/710182950204126/?_rdr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpicWillysAdventure/
Website: https://www.epicwillysadventure.com
Willys Rally 2023 Update and Swag
A big thanks to Tom for buying me a Willys Rally shirt while attending the Hueston Woods event, along with a few other swaggy items. He even picked up a set of gardening gloves so Ann wouldn’t feel left out (turns out she needed a set of gloves, so that worked out great!).
It sounds like this year’s Rally was well attended, with more jeeps than ever. Here’s a message from Rick about the event:
“The Willys Jeep Rally for 2023 was a great success. Mike Mee did a splendid job of overseeing the event. Barb and Bill Marshal were well organized and had plenty of help so they could enjoy the show.
Mary Kindburg prepared a delicious picnic on Friday evening with pulled pork and turkey sandwiches and loads of fruits and vegetables. Both trail rides had large numbers, and nobody broke down!
There were more Jeeps than ever involved in the demonstrations, and we even had a plow champion who showed the boys how a professional does the job. All the demonstrations had larger attendances than ever.
The weather all weekend was gorgeous with high heat but low humidity. We had about 10 vendors with the Jeepster Man joining us with large donations of gift certificates and merchandise. The banquet food was delicious as usual. Barney’s presentation was a story of his journey from his first Jeep to where he stands now. I think everyone could share in some of Barney’s insights and memories.
We are already planning for the 2024 Willys Jeep Rally. Hope to see everyone at Hueston Woods next year.”
Friday @ the Willys Rally in Ohio
The Willys Rally kicked off yesterday with beautiful, but hot weather, or so I am told. Tom sent me a some pics, followed by Roger Martin, who wore out his camera taking pics, so thanks to you both! So, there’s lots to look at. One highlight captured by both kind gentleman included a four-seat empire tractor, which looks really well done.
Willys Rally June 2&3, 2023
This year’s Willys Rally happens June 2&3, 2023 at its usual spot in Hueston Woods State Park, College Corner, Ohio. You can learn more here: http://www.mw-willysjeep.com
30th Annual Spring Willys Reunion & Swap May 19-20, 2023
UPDATE: Next Weekend is the Spring Willys Reunion.
Art let me know that the 30th annual Spring Willys Reunion will be held May 19-20. This year, it will be held at a new location: the Hilton Garden Inn, North Canton, Ohio.
http://willysreunion.com/swr23.htm
14th Annual Willys Overland Rally in Moab May 19-21, 2023
The 14th Annual Willys Overland Rally takes place this May 19-21 in Moab.
Learn more here: http://www.willysrally.com/index.php
Image from 2021 Willys Overland Rally
Jan 2023 MVCC Arizona Military Vehicle Show
UPDATE: The event is today and tomorrow!
Joe in Mesa shared this event flyer for the 32nd annual Arizona Military Vehicle Show in Phoenix, Arizona, January 28th-29th, 2023.
