2005 Freedom Road Rally Indianapolis Loop The phrase "road trip" evokes a number of different images and emotions within people throughout the country. As more and more people enter the antique car hobby, the desire to take a road trip and a family vacation has spurred the growth of an organization called Freedom Road Rally. The Freedom Road Rally is a touring rally that invites people from across the country with pre-1974 vehicles to participate in a weeklong road rally vacation that incorporates transportation museums, evening celebrations, and some fantastic scenic back roads. This year´s event saw participants representing 14 states with vehicles ranging from a 1925 Rickenbacher to mid-60´s foreign and domestic products and everything in between. Participants all had one common thread: the desire to enjoy their favorite vehicles while driving through one of the prettiest countries around.
Participants started in Indianapolis on July 17th with a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From Indianapolis they headed north to Auburn, IN to take in the Kruse Automotive and Carriage Museum, WWII Victory Museum, and the fantastic Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. After a restful night spent in the splendid Auburn Inn, participants made the short trip to Bowling Green, OH to enjoy an evening cookout and a fantastic collection of vehicles and memorabilia at Snooks Dream Car Museum. Afterwards the vehicles were on display at the Best Western Falcon Plaza near the Bowling Green University. The next morning participants said goodbye to Bowling Green and made their way through the winding hills of northern Ohio to a celebration on the streets of downtown Canton. The night stop in Canton included a car show with a number of fantastic local vehicles, private tours of the Canton Classic Car Museum and the National First Ladies Museum. The host for the night´s activities, Motorcar Portfolio, which is located in the downstairs of the Marriott, put on a wonderful show for all the participants as well as the community of Canton. Participants were up early the next morning to make the action packed journey from Canton to Dayton. There were a number of unique stops along the way such as Berlin, OH which is an Amish community that houses some of the most unique antique stores around. There was also a stop in Westerville, OH where participants enjoyed a hearty lunch and an old 45 jukebox at Walt´s 50´s Diner. After talking with local enthusiasts and "Mrs. Walt", participants were back on the road to Dayton, OH to experience a private tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. After seeing some of the finest examples of aviation history, the group then headed to Quaker, Steak and Lube to participate in their weekly bike night and to enjoy an evening of live music, good food, and fellow gear heads. The event then made their way through the scenic back roads of southern Ohio and across the Ohio River to the historic riverboat town of Maysville, KY. The city of Maysville arranged for the closure of several streets within their historic district in order for the participants to display their cars for all of the community to enjoy. While the DJ played and people danced in the streets, there was also a fantastic walking tour through the historic town that participants could partake in. The next day participants were able to experience some of the best driving roads in Kentucky as well as some of the most breathtaking scenery to that point. Their end destination for the night was in the small community of Madison, IN where they were able to tour a winery and other small shops in the downtown area before taking part in a cruise-in at the local Sonic. After a relaxing evening and a good nights rest at the Best Western and Country Hearth Inn, participants made their way to the finish line of the event, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, where they were able to view some fantastic pieces of automotive racing history.
The event coordinators would like to thank this year´s participants as well as Meguiar´s and American Road Magazine for co-sponsoring this year´s event. "It was a wonderful chance for our participants to experience some of the finest museums, towns, and back roads of this great country," stated Event Coordinator Chris Dorsey. This was the third year for Freedom Road Rally and they have already started to work on the event for next year. While they have not yet posted next years location you can be assured that it will be a fantastic adventure and an incredibly fun vacation experience. Be sure to check them out at www.FreedomRoadRally.com. If you would like to be a part of this incredible event, you can contact them at (937) 498-0748 or at freedomroadrally@yahoo.com.
