First off, thanks to everyone that came out to the show. All I do is turn on the lights and open the doors, ya'll make the show and ya'll made a great one. The weather was great, although hot by Washington standards, the cars were fantastic, the people were friendly, the bands kicked **** and everyone had a good time. I printed up 550 window cards and we blew through those pretty early in the morning. I'm guessing right around 600 cars, but 550+ is the only firm number I can give. The spectator crowds were great as well. Everyone from Chehalis and Centralia came out to enjoy the weather and the show. BIG THANKS to the host club, The Slo-Pokes from Portland. Your registration and parking going smooth was because of their hard work. They also had a blast at the show and are looking forward to next year. As am I. There will indeed be a Billetproof NorthWest 2009. I'll be on the phone in the next day to lock in a date at the same venue. Lots of room and they are repairing some of the damage inflicted by the floods a few short months back, so look for an even better facility next year. There are few things I can do better on my end to make the show even better. More food vendors for sure. We were surprised by the turn out and will be ready for an even bigger crowd next year. The dirt donuts will be a mud bog next year, less dust that way. This year the water truck was kaput so we couldnt wet down the field. But everyone seemed to the enjoy the dust, so what the heck. Thanks again NorthWest!!!! We'll see ya next year, and at Hot Rod-A-Rama !!!
Here are some pics This is after 11 hours of driving form Sacramento to Portland on Thursday. Melissa and I were getting a little punchy. Some pics from the pre-party at the Olympic Club in downtown Centralia. There was a small "unofficial" cruise through the streets. Next year I'll work on getting an officially blessed cruise set up.
Pics from the show. AMAZING quality cars. GREAT stuff. Made judging very difficult. Great folks too. I spent most of the day making new friends, cant wait to see ya'll again !!!
the early morning line up Preacher from the Slo-Pokes taking his job VERY seriously Registration running smoothly Cruisin the grounds Me cruisin with Old Weird Bob in the Tub
Some of the award winners. I'll have a complete list posted on Tues. Big Flake winner... duh. AMAZING car. Looks spectacular in the sun. Eric Johnson's 60 Pontiac Body Basher. Lots of work into this one. Mike Frisk's 54 Chev. Best Hot Rod. The owner started the build on this car in Oct. with a body and not much else. NICELY done. Dave Seacrest's 32 Ford Real Mill. A 409 in a 1961 Impala. The (left to right) Best Truck, Best Hot Rod and Best Pinstriping award winners. Keith Leihausen, Dave Seacrest and Alan Donald. Best Custom. AMAZING car. The details on this one just blew me away. Everywhere you looked some custom touch popped out. The straight 6 under the hood was all detailed out as well. Billetproof NorthWest 08 was this cars debut and it took home a trophy. Its the first in a long line of trophies for this car. It could be seen cruisin Main street pretty late into the night. Graeme Tait's 54 Chev. Best of Show. What can I say? Bill Ross built, 32 with a Hemi. I wanted to fire it up and take off. Nicely done and a well deserved Best of Show. With owner John Cherry, a super nice guy even though he wouldnt give me the keys
After all that hard work at the show, Melissa and I took a well deserved day off and headed to Portland for a party with family and friends and even snuck in some sightseeing by driving down the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway. here is Josh wearing the all purpose hot rod towel Melissa and I at View House with the mighty Columbia behind us
Thank you very much for the great show, and fun before party!!! The 15 or so of us and 8 cars(hopefully my car will make it next year)that drove up from central Oregon are making it a must show on our calenders. Any numbers on the attendance? Great first year, this show should be HUGE next year. The fairgrounds were perfect, and so is downtown Centralia. Did the water truck kill the burnout contest too? Great show, great people, Great event!!! Blake
Hey Choptop, great times were had by all. I talked to you on the stage about getting the info out sooner as alot of what I heard was people just hearing about the event a week before the show. I have sent the link of my pictures to about 20 people that never went and man do they want to go next year. Glad to hear its happening again in 2009. The NW are a great bunch of hotrodders and that includes our friends up north in Canada. Glad it was a great success and I had one of the best times in my car show history and didnt even bring a car (this time). Brought four friends though. Soon a I hear a date, I will be promoting the hell out of this show. Also thanks for posting the night before pics as most that were posted were the day of and even though I drove into town on Friday night, I forgot my camera soooooo Im going to right click , save as, Billetproof NW 2008 and add your pictures to my file!!!! Thanks again!!! The Whip.
Hey Choptop. Thanks so much for a great first event. This was the first event I've ever participated in and I had a blast man. This show was awesome! When I found out that BilletProof was heading to the NW that was like "X" marks the spot. I finished up on Friday 27th at 11PM and was on the road at 4:30am. I've visited many shows but this one was the best organized and had a great variety, in my book. You BilletProof guys have "Kept it cool". See you Next year.
Outstanding show... Thanks for the pic. especially of the one with me and my buddies cruizing the streets Friday night (grey primer 57, and the three blue rides in front).
Hey Choptop, great times were had by all. I talked to you on the stage about getting the info out sooner as alot of what I heard was people just hearing about the event a week before the show. I have sent the link of my pictures to about 20 people that never went and man do they want to go next year. Glad to hear its happening again in 2009. The NW are a great bunch of hotrodders and that includes our friends up north in Canada. Glad it was a great success and I had one of the best times in my car show history and didnt even bring a car (this time). Brought four friends though. Soon a I hear a date, I will be promoting the hell out of this show. Also thanks for posting the night before pics as most that were posted were the day of and even though I drove into town on Friday night, I forgot my camera soooooo Im going to right click , save as, Billetproof NW 2008 and add your pictures to my file!!!! Thanks again!!! The Whip.
Great show, we had a blast and will be back next year for sure. Thanks for all your hard work in putting it on.
Alan, I can't say enough that the show was great. It is so nice to have another show up here for what we love.... Tradditional HOTRODS and KUSTOMS! The quality of cars in the Northwest is second to none. (My opinion) It is also about haveing a good time and somthing I like to call community. We seem to have alot of this up here. Amocat can't wait till next year. Thanks again to you and the Slopoks for getting this going. Let us know when you plan to come up for Hotrodarama. Steve Glucoft Amocat Speed Emporium Hotrodarama
Had a good time this year. I agree with Steve, the proportion of quality cars in the NW is second to none. More food vendors, perhaps a swapmeet area for next year? Thanks again!
The only thing I may suggest is maybe an after party...not saying supported or put on by Billetproof, but I was kinnda disapointed that as soon as the show was over, everyone left. There was nothing really going on that we could find...
the show was outstanding and your shirts were absolutely killer I bought six shirts because your selection was so outstanding I wish all the shows had a selection like yours thanks man.
I agree, it was like withdrawl all the way home. Like others have said, these type of cars are what the NW is all about. Glad you are coming to HRAR.
More food vendors for sure next year. We under estimated the turn out, but will be ready for the crowd next year. I'll also work to set up an official cruise next year. I mentioned it to the city this year and they are hip to it, but we just didnt have time to get it all together. Plus we didnt really know what the turn out was going to be. Now that we have an idea of the size of the show we can plan events a little better. Thanks to Steve and the Amocat crew for bringing some *****IN rides to the show. I LOVED the Riley Roadster. A period correct hot rod if there ever was one. Cant wait for HRAR !!!
Absolutely......Texas & Cali ain't got nuthin' on the NW! The Amocat cars ruled, especially the fact they were DRIVEN.....that was fun... Killer job with the show Choptop.....definitely a top show. One month till Hotrodarama........I'm ready.......
The Jalopy Journal
