The Chrome Czars and the Hunnert Car Pileup #8

This show is like the best thing the midwest has going for it for sure. I have been to all the pileups and have watched it grow every year. I really do hope that there will be a long future for this show since i decided to set the completion date of my car for the show next year haha. Thanks guys I personally think you all do a great job and look forward to the show all year.

mac

 

And u got to see me

 

Sorry to admit this but it was my first pileup. Don't know where I've been all this time. I think its all been said good and bad but add mine to the positive side. Had a great time and looking forward to next year. Many thanks to the CZARS and Red shirt army. If you didn't like it or didnt have a good time it's simple. STAY HOME

 

We drove down from Canada (about 2 hours east of Detroit) in a 1950 Pontiac straight 8 and had a blast. My buddy and I have known about the pile-ups in the past, but it was important for us to drive a custom down for our first time to the pile-up and our cars were not finished at the time. Finally at least one of them was finished and we made the run. (No trailer here!) 9 hours there and back and I am happy to say that we went the whole way there and back without opening the toolbox once! Needless to say we met some really good people and will definatley be back next year with some of our Canadian buddies and there customs too. Thank you so much for putting on this event. All the best to you guys in the upcoming year!

 

Well my second year first as a total spectator , but that's when i made decision that volunteering to help was in the book .

I know once you guys get the time to sit down and thrash it out you will have a great alternative to correct even this years glitches . One thing I will say Once you decide , whats going on and where I am in the red shirt army again no problems . I don't think I could say it enough but the fine job in organizing a show of this magnitude takes weeks of work . You as The Czars have proven it 7 times before . Hats off to you guys .

Raygun the sweeping still stands open if you need some time freed up . Enjoy the walk about in your shop every time I visit. I have a 36 inch coarse and fine .

 

Couldn't of said it better, had a blast

 

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Thanks to all who made it another great weekend, and want to wish you guys continued success. I know that you can again, iron out the wrinkles and be back next year ready to take on the crowds. I don't know why you would after all the crap you put up with, but I'm glad you do.
It just boggles my mind you guys put up with all this and make the huge donations with the proceeds that you do. My hats off to you, well done. Gary

 

Once again, I want to thank the Czars and DW for putting on the best car show the Midwest has to offer. It was an honor to be a red shirt even if my job ended up telling people they couldn't get in and then telling them they could not get out, at least not quickly.

The Czars all looked very exhausted, even that guy in the red pants. But they still had a smile for everyone and thanked the volunteers for helping. I've been reading a bunch of the comments on the HAMB and wanted to summarize some of the ideas I've seen and some of my own. I think DW said you are looking for constructive ideas, so here I go, some serious, some not:

• This is getting too big for a 7 person club plus DW to plan: the Czars should enlist the red shirt army much earlier to help out.
• Traffic and parking is what is going to kill the Grundy fairgounds location. you could:

1. Charge $10 for onsite parking, free or $5 remote parking.
2. Get some of the local farmers to provide hayrides to the show from the remote parking. My inlaws live in the area and I could probably help out on this. Might need buses for safety reasons however.
3. Add more signs in the parking lot directing exiting traffic to the central exit for south and north exit for north.
4. Talk to a traffic consultant for ideas, maybe some of the local hotels/merchants will help pay for this. I guesstimated Morris took in at least $250,000 over the weekend. Have someone meet with the chamber of commerce to get local business support.
5. Make sure the sheriff doesn't drop the ball and starts directing traffic early.
6. Maybe remote parking at the nearby school for $5, get the PTA to collect the funds to support the school? My niece attends there and I could definitely help out with setting that up.

• More free PBR!
• Lots of people on the HAMB want this to just be for traditional rods. I disagree, some of the weird stuff and the weird people who bring it in are what make the Pileup so interesting. Plus it brings in new ideas and young rodders, the lifeblood of the sport. Heck, this year I brought a rattle can painted Hemi powered IH pickup, hardly traditional (and maybe some thought it tended towards a rat rod). But here are a couple of ideas on the car quality front:

1. Have color coded HCPU OK stickers and direct the more "arty" cars into a separate area in the back. This might get a little complex but the real quality stuff will be upfront. You'd have to figure out a solution for guys in a club.
2. Have a two tier screening process to get cars into the show, true un-questionable traditional rods get waived in, questionable cars go to one final Czar judge who decides.
3. Have a blocked off "honorable mention" or "penalty box" parking area outside the show for the rejected cars. I'm sure the spectators would enjoy walking around this. Maybe expand it to include any pre-1972 cars. I always love the car show outside the car show, why not make it semi-official?
4. Remove any rubber rats from cars entering the fairgrounds and toss them on a stinky bonfire.

• Make sure boob hug promises are honored.
• More T-shirts to sell.
• Did I mention more PBR?
• I had some cool pinstripes added at the show, maybe find a way to connect the vendor artists and cars together beforehand. I was able to PM Shawn of Imperial House 71 before the show and set up a time (thanks Shawn!)
• Beer cart girl to bring PBR to the red shirts working the parking lot. I had to settle for some dude in a minivan who handed me a Miller. Nothing like a cold beer when you are freezing your ass off.
• Bring back the ring o' fire.
• More automotive art, that is part of what makes this show interesting.
• Again, enlist the help of the local merchants, have them pay for a big sign directing people to the local sponsors and post parties.
• More band announcements. I only heard a little of one of the bands, the all girl group and they sounded great. I didn't hear any announcements of new bands coming on stage, my impression was that the music was very much downplayed. Wish I would have had time to listen to more tunes and see more cars.
• Free PBR, oh man, what a concept.

Thanks for listening to my rant. I hereby volunteer my time now to help with HCPU 2010, please enlist me in the Red Shirt Army way early. Hopefully I won't be thrashing to get my car roadworthy till 4:00 AM next year.

truckdude1 a.k.a. Jeff

 

as much as I hate to say it - I think I agree with ya on the pay for parking - that will cut down on some of the people........
IF that is the Czars intention

and I also agree with having a special parking area for cars that dont get in - a lot of people suggested that to me for our show and so we will have a special parking area for cars that dont qualify or are too new.........

Good suggestions truckdude1 - it sounds like you have some experience in this stuff - glad you can chime in

 

I really need to amend my 1st post on this thread. I DO have one complaint: I didn't get a t-shirt this year! They were sold out by the time I got out of the traffic jam and into the Fair grounds. I'd pay a good price to have one of those t-shirts (regardless of the size) to add to my other Pileup T-Shirts! If anyone's willing to give one up, PM me on this board. We can always negotiate a price!

 

U r welcome for the beer! my 2hr shift took 15 mins!



LolQUOTE=truckdude1;4448393]Once again, I want to thank the Czars and DW for putting on the best car show the Midwest has to offer. It was an honor to be a red shirt even if my job ended up telling people they couldn't get in and then telling them they could not get out, at least not quickly.

The Czars all looked very exhausted, even that guy in the red pants. But they still had a smile for everyone and thanked the volunteers for helping. I've been reading a bunch of the comments on the HAMB and wanted to summarize some of the ideas I've seen and some of my own. I think DW said you are looking for constructive ideas, so here I go, some serious, some not:

• This is getting too big for a 7 person club plus DW to plan: the Czars Ushould enlist the red shirt army much earlier to help out.
• Traffic and parking is what is going to kill the Grundy fairgounds location. you could:

1. Charge $10 for onsite parking, free or $5 remote parking.
2. Get some of the local farmers to provide hayrides to the show from the remote parking. My inlaws live in the area and I could probably help out on this. Might need buses for safety reasons however.
3. Add more signs in the parking lot directing exiting traffic to the central exit for south and north exit for north.
4. Talk to a traffic consultant for ideas, maybe some of the local hotels/merchants will help pay for this. I guesstimated Morris took in at least $250,000 over the weekend. Have someone meet with the chamber of commerce to get local business support.
5. Make sure the sheriff doesn't drop the ball and starts directing traffic early.
6. Maybe remote parking at the nearby school for $5, get the PTA to collect the funds to support the school? My niece attends there and I could definitely help out with setting that up.

• More free PBR!
• Lots of people on the HAMB want this to just be for traditional rods. I disagree, some of the weird stuff and the weird people who bring it in are what make the Pileup so interesting. Plus it brings in new ideas and young rodders, the lifeblood of the sport. Heck, this year I brought a rattle can painted Hemi powered IH pickup, hardly traditional (and maybe some thought it tended towards a rat rod). But here are a couple of ideas on the car quality front:

1. Have color coded HCPU OK stickers and direct the more "arty" cars into a separate area in the back. This might get a little complex but the real quality stuff will be upfront. You'd have to figure out a solution for guys in a club.
2. Have a two tier screening process to get cars into the show, true un-questionable traditional rods get waived in, questionable cars go to one final Czar judge who decides.
3. Have a blocked off "honorable mention" or "penalty box" parking area outside the show for the rejected cars. I'm sure the spectators would enjoy walking around this. Maybe expand it to include any pre-1972 cars. I always love the car show outside the car show, why not make it semi-official?
4. Remove any rubber rats from cars entering the fairgrounds and toss them on a stinky bonfire.

• Make sure boob hug promises are honored.
• More T-shirts to sell.
• Did I mention more PBR?
• I had some cool pinstripes added at the show, maybe find a way to connect the vendor artists and cars together beforehand. I was able to PM Shawn of Imperial House 71 before the show and set up a time (thanks Shawn!)
• Beer cart girl to bring PBR to the red shirts working the parking lot. I had to settle for some dude in a minivan who handed me a Miller. Nothing like a cold beer when you are freezing your ass off.
• Bring back the ring o' fire.
• More automotive art, that is part of what makes this show interesting.
• Again, enlist the help of the local merchants, have them pay for a big sign directing people to the local sponsors and post parties.
• More band announcements. I only heard a little of one of the bands, the all girl group and they sounded great. I didn't hear any announcements of new bands coming on stage, my impression was that the music was very much downplayed. Wish I would have had time to listen to more tunes and see more cars.
• Free PBR, oh man, what a concept.

Thanks for listening to my rant. I hereby volunteer my time now to help with HCPU 2010, please enlist me in the Red Shirt Army way early. Hopefully I won't be thrashing to get my car roadworthy till 4:00 AM next year.

truckdude1 a.k.a. Jeff[/QUOTE]

 

Dude your the man there are looking for glad to see your stepping up wish I lived closer. You have a lot of good ideas. Thanks again czars and dw and the red shirts.

 

What he said - except for the expand it to 1972 and prior...

Made it a point to tell a couple of the Czars what great show it was before I left, as I am sure they were hearing lots of the opposite up by the road where I patted the last guy on the back before leaving. Thanks again guys - awesome, awesome job - my 5th year driving 6 hours round trip just to attend.

Great ideas about the parking truckdude1, and although this will likely get me tarred and feathered, what about raising the spectator admission to at least $10 (maybe even more?). Hey - it's for charity, and the guys bringing the rods should get the break, not the compaliners, ingrates, or mud throwers. I have always thought the show was perhaps (the only thing in life) too cheap anyways.

To the Chrome Czars: A million thankyous for your time, your service, your professionalism, and you rules - which is why the show is so great in the first place. Please, please, please keep the show going!

 

That was you? What's a guy from BF MO doing driving a minivan with Chicago Blackhawks graphics all over it?

 

Huh? No, I'm one of the guys that hand out da free pbr! I was in my wires Kia sportage with the bumper sticker that should have read " my other cars at my boyfriends house"!

 

The up to 1972 cars idea was just for special portion of the outside lot. Raising the spectator rate to $10 is a great idea, I've been to really bad car shows that cost $10.

 

A Kia, how the heck can you let your wife drive that? What happens if your car breaks down and you have to drive it?

I actually didn't get any of the free PBR, I didn't even have a chance to drink my own PBR till about 5:30. But some minivan dude handed me a beer in the parking lot which was nice. Some lady in a really dorky rat rod A coupe offered me her brand new Walmart gloves too.

 

because she has girly parts and i DO NOT, thats how!and it cost me 33 bucks to drive it 9 hrs! and as a matter of fact, my car is brokedown! only other thing i have thats legal and runs, is a 75 cj5! id still be on my up there in that lil bastard!

 

Good thing the shirt was so loose and billowy or you'd have seen how happy I was to see you...

 

i did see mike!!! sure was cold out huh?????

 

It was cold? I didn't notice.

 

The Chrome Cars are amazing. You guys and DW did a great job this year as always. It sucks that you caught so much grief. That's just not right. I've been to every Pile Up in Morris and will go to this show no matter where it's held. Take some time to regroup and don't be afraid to enlist help earlier next year. This is a monumental effort that you all should be proud of. My hat's off to ya.

 

ahahah!!! damn, i still need to find you a truck so i can get my 53 interior done!

 

THANKS CZARS!!!!

I look foward to this show all year and this was my forth. My wife is trying to book a hotel for next year already.

It seems to be losing some of the hardcore car guys (gearheads) or they are being diluted.

The Red Cent is always a good preparty also.

 

I'm sorry to hear that people spit at you and had mud thrown at you. I was one that was turned away at the gates, (previous two years I made it in) and I had no problem with it. I really appreciate what kind of show you guys have and the amount of work you put into it. I know you have a limited amount of spaces in the gates and are trying to put the best show on. I think you guys did a fantastic job you guys should be proud of yourselves for putting on such a nice show.

It has been said a "hunnert" times before, this show isn't for everyone and not everyone will get in. Keep doing what you guys do, you're doing great.

POZ

 

I think that the idea of raising the admission fee &, shuttles, reject lot, etc are all good ideas!

The CC's need to get the State Cops involved NOW to plan next year's event. That way you can plot 2 routes in/out of the show. That ought to temper the congestion issue.

I think that I finally thawed out from being in the vendor area, I'm hoping that we get some global warming before next October!

Can't wait for next year

 

Thanks for a great show Chrome Czars , and thank you to the volunteers !!!!.....I agree with Breeder he mentioned that it shouldnt stay traditional....That all the wierdos make it more interesting, and thats true....Sometimes you have to change or bend the rules, but then again were to you stop before it goes to far.....(dont know??) As far as the location ITS AWESOME...Take at look at all the pictures trees / barns / dirt roads/ it has character..Sitting on blacktop sucks it will look like a Good Guys Show, But anyways had alot of fun and soaked up as much as I could before old man winter takes it away and I find myself chatting on HAMB and looking at old photos on the internet (ZZZZZZZ) ........

 

I had an awesome time too, I do every year. This was the first year I volunteered and I'll do it again. The shuttle thing sounds good, so does some form of invitation for say half the cars, returning qualifying cars and an expresslane for them, and maybee a section for finished painted cars and a section for unfinished and then a section for Artsy cars. And what does it take to get a spot under those trees up by VooDoo Larry? Greatest show of the year, can't wait till next one.

 

My 5th time to hunnert and I had fun. My dad and I agreed that there were less craprods than the past. There was an aircooled diesel powered "car" that while not my thing did have a crowd all day and that is what makes this the coolest car show in the country. Woodstock had traffic problems, that did not seem to hinder that party . Looking forward to next years pileup

 

Thanks for all the warm thoughts and suggestions. Feel free to keep throwing them at us all year. We need to sit down and start figuring out what to do about next year. We have a lot to think about and a lot of options.