The 120-mile New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run began in 1987. It is an American version of the prestigious 57-mile London to Brighton Commemorative Run held annually in England.
The 35th anniversary tour will be Saturday, Aug. 14.
All vehicles from 1908 or earlier, or any 1- or 2-cylinder, steam, or electric vehicles, including motorcycles, up to 1915 are eligible to participate.
There will be three pre-Run warm-up tours to fine-tune engines, all leaving from Peace Lutheran Church in New London.
Today, Aug. 11, the tour will go to the Willmar Municipal Airport and participants will tour the terminal building and see the maintenance and operations building. This facility is an authorized Mooney service center and provides flight instruction. The evening get-together will be at Neer Park in New London.
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On Thursday, Aug. 12, there will be a tour of the New London/Spicer countryside finishing at Rambow Sportswear and a tour of its manufacturing facility. The evening “meet, greet and eat” will be at Peace Lutheran Church and there will be time to meet the volunteer tow drivers and exchange information.
The Friday, Aug. 13, 36-mile warmup is a scenic tour around Nest and Green Lakes in the New London/Spicer area, with the customary root beer float social at Saulsbury Park on Green Lake. Don’t miss the parade down Birch Street in New London on Friday evening.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, the vehicles will leave on the 120-mile tour of beautiful Minnesota countryside.
The goal is for everyone to cross the finish line. Drivers have a required stop in Buffalo, the 75-mile point, and cannot leave there until 1 p.m. They cannot cross the finish line until 3 p.m. to qualify for the finisher’s medallion.
The four other rest stops along the way are at Grove City, Litchfield, Kingston, and Crystal, with the finish line and award ceremony in New Brighton, as part of the Stockyard Days festival.
