Quadfest is fast and fun article from Sep 96 Coventry Commentator
by Dave Podolske
La Crosse Wisconsin was a fine choice for the location of Quadfest VIII. I
drove up Thursday on Frank Lloyd Wright Memorial highway 14. Southwestern
Wisconsin is perfect for a Spitfire and the weather was optimal for top-down
driving.
On Friday morning I participated in the Fun Tour, which included a stop
in Spring Grove MN for a scavenger hunt. These Minnesotans dont fool around,
they like to go FAST! I wondered if they were trying to do the entire 160 miles
in one hour. The words "beautiful" and "scenic" are often overused to describe
this type of landscape. Not in this case. We also stopped in another town
(the name escapes me) for lunch and a browse in the shops. The locals were
quite impressed at the sight of two dozen Triumphs parked on the main street.
Later that evening, at Rudy's Drive-In, we had root beer floats delivered
by waitresses on roller skates. Half the parking lot was filled with Triumphs.
Great stuff!
Early Saturday morning I joined about 10 other cars on the Scenic Apple
Blossom Drive. We enjoyed some twisties and impressive vistas I did not know
existed in the area. The past work of glaciers made for some interesting
topography. I enjoyed it so much that I drove the route again later that
morning. I was so busy exploring on my own that I missed the concours.
I took a shot at the TSD rally (as a tour) Saturday afternoon. Attempting
to read printed instructions from a sheet of paper, in a convertible, was a
dangerous and futile pursuit. I followed some guys in a TR250 who were hard
core rally buffs and kept pulling over. Behind me was Shirlee Graber's
Spitfire with Reg at the wheel. I wound up following the Barden/Graber team
on some wonderful roads at a brisk pace. I wasn't surprized that nobody was
catching up with us but did wonder why we weren't catching up with anyone else
or hitting any checkpoints. At a gas station in Galesville I found out that
we had somehow abandoned the designated route in favor of an impromptu trip
to Winona, MN returning to the hotel via Hwy 61. Navigating with all the
precision and accuracy of a Lucas voltage regulator, we journeyed through the
suburbs of Winona before asking for directions. A beautiful view of
the Mississippi river is available along this course.
I drove home Saturday night, skipping the awards banquet, so I don't know
who won what. I assume Reg won the TR3 class?
Again, the Minnesota Triumph club picked a fantastic location for this
Quadfest.
The annual Quadfest convention is a joint venture between the Triumph clubs
from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. This year it was hosted by the
Minnesota club at the Holiday Inn in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Reg did win 1st place.
The Vintage Triumph is the newsletter of the Vintage Triumph Register, an international
organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of all Triumph cars. The Vintage Triumphs
of Wisconsin is a local chapter of VTR.