2009 H.C.P.U.
Welcome to www.HunnertCarPileup.com
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Everyone,
We understand that there have been some mixed emotions about the Pileup this year, so we’d like to take this opportunity to address some of the rumors and negativity that’s come to our attention.
First, we’d like to thank you for giving us a chance to get home, assess the postives and negatives, and make a statement.
Second, we’d like to thank over 200 volunteers in the Red Shirt Army. They put up with a lot, kept their composure, and made the show run as smoothly as humanly possible (and then some). We could not have done it without them.
Third, we want to apologize to all the people who drove for hours to get there, only to be turned away at the gate because there was no more room to even park to see the show. We had no control over that.
OK. So what the hell happened? Simply put, we got overrun by spectators. The hot rods and customs streamed into the Fairgrounds more smoothly than ever. Screening (and rejections) went smoothly and quickly. Inside parking went well. We learned from last year and reorganized outside parking. We set up parking lines in advance to simplify things. We set up extra lanes for spectators to drive in and out. We placed extra volunteers out front to direct and control parking. We hired the Sherriff’s office to direct traffic.
For the first few hours it ran more smoothly than ever, but the cars kept coming. And they kept coming and coming and coming… We ran out of parking quickly, all nine football fields worth of parking. Filled to capacity. That’s when the Sherriff decided to shut us down to get traffic on I-80 and Rt. 47 moving again. There were too many people and cars everywhere. The ambulance couldn’t get in or out. Traffic was backed up for miles. It was simply unsafe. Then people started parking on the highway, causing even more traffic delays. Around 2pm, it seemed as though half of the hot rods decided to leave, making a bad situation worse. This caused an even bigger back up. We’ve never had a car accident at the Pileup, but we know of at least two that happened this year with people trying to get in.
So, it’s just the laws of physics really. It wouldn’t have mattered how many people were directing traffic or how many cops were on site, when you have 3 times the number of people that can fit in a space trying to fit, things will back up. This year it went past the point of dangerous.
We heard several rumors all weekend which we’d like to address:
“I heard the Pileup isn’t going to happen after #10″
We’ve never said anything like that.
“Are you going to have the show next year?” “Will you have the show in Grundy County/Morris again?”
This year was hard on us. We were cursed at, spit on, had mud thrown at us, and even had people try to start fights with us. We heard a lot of hateful comments and dealt with more irate people than we’ve ever seen in the previous 7 years combined. It has given us a lot to think about. It is, however, much easier to remember the jerks than the nice ones. For every complainer we heard from hundreds of people who begged us to keep the show going and that it’s worth suffering through the hardships. We have not had an opportunity to discuss the future yet and where the show will be located, but we would all like to see the show continue.
After 8 years of putting this show on we finally had a major problem, size, which lead to everything stated above, the good and the bad. Apparently size does matter. Each year we notice the problems and hear everyone’s complaints. We try to find ways to address problems and find ways to improve the show, and each year new problems pop up.
Again, we want to thank everyone who came out and put up with all the hassles just to show their car and be part of the show, or came to see those cars. We thank everyone who had the patience and maturity to meet the situation and smile through it. We especially thank the Red Shirt Army.
The Chrome Czars and Catherine
Hot rodding is about two things – building your own car and driving it – FAST! Sure, they may be built to attract girls or to beat the pants off your friend in a drag race, but it’s all about building and driving. The Hunnert Car Pileup is for hot rodders who build their cars, and drive them. The Pileup is about hanging out, meeting new friends, and seeing old ones. It is about checking out the craftsmanship in others’ cars, and showing off your own. It is about great music, art, and finding that rare part. It is a nod to a bygone era that lives in each of us. It is about the drive there, the drive home, and the story that goes in between.
The Hunnert Car Pileup is always the second weekend in October, which makes it Saturday, October 10th this year. This will be our 6th year at the historic Grundy County Speedway and Fairgrounds in Morris, IL. Yeah, it’s dusty and cold, but we like it. Suck it up, nancy boy.
Last year we had about 1200 traditional hot rods, customs, and motorcycles pass inspection and roll through the gates, nearly 60 vendors and 7 rockabilly, bluegrass, surf, and garage bands. We expect a similar turn out this year.
If you have never been to the Pileup, you should check the show’s Entry Criteria to see if your car will pass inspection. The show is strictly limited to 1964 and earlier hot rods and customs, built in a “traditional” style. Check out some of the previous years pics to give you an idea of what we consider to be “traditional”. It is not about attitude, rust, or how many skulls can be painted on a hood. It is about real hot rods and customs. The Pileup is not about trophies. We don’t give them, so don’t expect them!
The price of admission for show cars/trucks/motorcycles is $20 and spectators is $5. Parking is free for spectators and non-show cars. The gates open at 9am and the show will go on rain or shine… or snow.
Buy stuff from the Pileup sponsors! They support this show, so you should support them. Check them out on the Sponsor page.
Thanks,
The Chrome Czars Motor Club,
www.ChromeCzars.com
Django, Hellfish, Jester, Kansas, Lucky, Magnet, and Ray Gun