August 7 – The last of the group arrived safely into O’Hare at about 7:30pm, with everyone settled into their suites, the evening was left to meet each other in the hotel bar over a refreshing drink.

August 8 – The team were left to sleep off JetLag with a late start to the City Tour of Chicago beginning at noon. We woke to rain and the day looked to be terrible, but our born & bred Chicago Guide Ted, suggested that we would indeed enjoy a nice day in the windy city. He was dead right with the weather and rain stopping as we cruised Route 66 into Downtown Chicago. What a great city it is too, with some fantastic architecture, great parks and lot’s of public art.

After the team was introduced to the city, we stopped in at Tommy Gun’s Garage for some food and entertainment. We were met at the door by a guy dressed in the gangster suite and hat toting a large machine gun. Unless we had the password we could not enter. As our mate “Little Jake sent us” we were able to get in for some great food and a wonderful show. Welcome to the USA and Route 66 Tours.

August 9 – Today was practice day in the Mustangs and we picked them up from Hertz at 9am, set up the GPS and the Aussie Flags, and hit the road bound for a fantastic hot rod shop. Traffic was light, even though some of the group found it a little daunting, and we only lost 4 out of those that chose to come along. Three cars went in another direction to enjoy the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. With a phone call or two we directed the 4 lost cars into town and we became a group again.

With the shop tour over, and the group amazed by the cars and workmanship, we stopped in for a visit with a local Harley dealer that has some rare bikes on show. We then headed back into town and our hotel. The evening was free and with an early night planned, I am sure tomorrow will be very exciting as we turn the cars towards Springfield and begin the tour of the Mother Road, Route 66.