Here is the take from the Morris Daily Herald Pile-up causes traffic jam By Michael Farrell - [email protected] <SCRIPT type=text/javascript src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/152/addthis_widget.js"></SCRIPT> <!-- MDH-MREC-InStory --><SCRIPT type=text/javascript> GA_googleFillSlot("MDH-MREC-InStory-ROS"); </SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://partner.googleadservices.com/gampad/ads?correlator=1255455623218&output=json_html&callback=GA_googleSetAdContentsBySlotForSync&impl=s&a2ids=MYgQ%2C%2CMmNw&cids=LN218c%2C%2CLRXAJ8&client=ca-pub-6005362292228075&slotname=MDH-MREC-InStory-ROS&page_slots=MDH-Weather-ROS%2CMDH-PromoBar-ROS%2CMDH-Leaderboard-ROS%2CMDH-MREC-InStory-ROS&cookie=ID%3D7ff4315cf7dd9df9%3AT%3D1255455599%3AS%3DALNI_MbrEdwFgKxShSRwSr46NUL17c-9XA&dblk=1&ga_vid=1341525670.1255455605&ga_sid=1255455605&ga_hid=2005477978&ga_fc=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.morrisdailyherald.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F10%2F12%2F81757677%2Findex.xml&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.morrisdailyherald.com%2F&lmt=1255378212&dt=1255455625218&cc=100&biw=1259&bih=610&ifi=4&oe=iso-8859-1&u_tz=-300&u_his=45&u_java=true&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=770&u_aw=1280&u_cd=32&flash=10.0.32.18"></SCRIPT> <!-- END MDH-MREC-InStory --> The popularity of the Hunnert Car Pile-up made travel on Illinois 47, north of Morris, difficult most of the day Saturday. Catherine Mayotte, coordinator of volunteers for the event, said there were more than 1,200 cars on display and more than 12,000 spectators in attendance at Saturday's event at the Grundy County Fairgrounds. Mayotte said there were more entries than last year and attendance appeared to be much higher than in 2008. This was the eighth year for the event, which started in Sycamore with fewer than 100 cars and 200 spectators. Asked why it is so popular, Mayotte said, "Because it is so cool." She said there were 233 volunteers working at the event, including one from Brazil and a veteran who just returned from Iraq. "He went home to Kansas, then came here," she said. The car show consists of hot rods, cars and motorcycles from 1964 or earlier. The cars are supposed to be as they were originally, with no modern electronics nor neon lights. Car owners pay $20 to park their vehicle in the show and spectators are charged $5. Mayotte said the show was able to donate $25,000 to nine charities last year. The popularity of the show had northbound traffic on Illinois 47 backed up to or beyond Interstate 80 most of Saturday. "They pay for two deputies to direct traffic," Chief Deputy Kevin Callahan of the Grundy County Sheriff's Department said. Those two deputies called for assistance from the regular traffic unit. Callahan said he received some complaints and Sheriff Terry Marketti also received complaints, so they will be looking at some changes next year. The fairgrounds parking lots were full much of the day, with people parking along the roads, including Illinois 47, at Saratoga School and in any other open areas. Ed Martin of St. Louis was involved in his own pileup, while driving his 1940 Ford Deluxe to the show Saturday morning. Martin said he was in the left lane of Interstate 55, near Towanda, when a woman in the right lane attempted to turn into a median crossover, designated for emergency vehicles only. She collided with Martin's car and both vehicles spun into the median. Martin's car sustained damage to the right front and rear fenders, as well as the passenger side window. "I pulled the fender away from the wheel and I was able to drive it," he said. Martin would not speculate on the cost to repair the damage, except to say it would be substantial.
Sounds like a fair and balnced statement of the facts. The fact may be that the event has outgrown it's home and may need to move to larger quarters before the next one.
we herd from 2 diffrent people that they might be moveing for next year. but who knows we had more than a few beers in us. if they dont let in 50's or 60's customs and do only "rat rods" they would free up 500+ spots. but i dont care i will keep on going its the best dam car show in this area. and we drove 5 1/5 hours one way its wourth it
I don't know about you but I saw no deputies directing traffic. Only the fearless crew from the red shirt army.
The Jalopy Journal
