Now that 10 years of Pileups are over, you may be wondering what we did with the money. The Hunnert Car Pileup did not start out as a "charity show" and it never really was one, but as the show grew and we got more efficient at running it, we found ourselves with surplus money one year and decided that the best thing to do was to give it to charity. Each Chrome Czar chose a charity and we gave it away. That was 2007. We made a sizeable donation every year after that, except we were unable to give anything away in 2010 (tax SNAFU -all fixed now). Given that 2011 marked the last Hunnert Car Pileup, we (the Chrome Czars) were able to give away a lot more since we didn't need to reserve it for Pileup #11 operations. Since we were not able to give away anything from the 2010 show, what we gave away this year reflects 2010 and 2011. This year we gave away $50,000 to 21 charities chosen by the Chrome Czars, Catherine (DW) and Diane (DMZ) (who both played major roles in the operation), and the Bombers Car Club (for their help with the 2010 swap meet). Each of us here at Pileup Central chose charities for our own individual reasons. This message is not meant to toot our own horn, but to let the hot rod community know what happened after the show. Thanks to all who participated and volunteered! Your attendance and sacrifices made these donations possible. Now that the Pileup is over make sure you attend (and race at!) the Hunnert Car Heads Up on June 16, 2012!! http://hunnertcarheadsup.com/ Here is a list of the charities we donated to this year: Freeman Foundation/Ozark Center for Autism https://www.freemanhealth.com/ozarkcenterforautism Opportunity Knocks http://opportunityknocksnow.org/ Save the Salt http://www.savethesalt.org/Save_the_Salt/Donate.html Warbird Rescue http://warbirdrescue.com VFW National Home for Children (Illinois House) http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/ Blackbird Cancer Foundation http://www.blackbirdcancerfoundation.com/ Horizon Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. www.horizonhospice.org Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago http://www.bgcc.org/ Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) www.iava.org Central Illinois Food Bank https://www.centralilfoodbank.org/ Victory Junction Gang Camp http://www.victoryjunction.org/ WBEZ 91.5 FM Chicago Public Media http://www.wbez.org/ Rowe Clark www.roweclark.org Illinois Veterans Home http://www.vfwil.org/Manteno.asp Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program http://www.mtrpinc.org WebFooters Youth Organization http://www.webfooters.org/ Trees, Water and People http://www.treeswaterpeople.org/ Coral Reef Alliance http://www.coral.org/ American Bird Conservancy http://www.abcbirds.org/ Wildlife Conservation Network http://www.wildnet.org/ Big Cat Rescue http://bigcatrescue.org/ Django is still selling the Pileup 10th Anniversary posters he designed. A portion of the proceeds go to charity as well. Contact him for details about purchasing one, or go to DjangoStudios.com
BTW, if you've been keeping track over the years this makes about $100,000 we've given away since 2007. From 2002-2006 we were slowly building up our assets so the show wasn't such a financial struggle every year. Some years we barely had enough to get the next year's show started. I only say that because I've been contacted by a number of people wanting to start a "traditional hot rod" show and thinking they can pocket $50k the first year. Most of these guys also didn't know what a "traditional hot rod" was and had never been to the Pileup but I thought it was worth mentioning.
It's been an honor to have been part of the Pileup. And to have been able to make these charitable donations -- made possible directly by the donated time & efforts of our Red Shirt Army of volunteers. Thanks all... We had some fun, and did some good in the process. Not bad for a bunch of knucklehead hot rodders.
Thanks for posting up the list of charities. What you guys have done over the years has been nothing short of incredible. Not only did you provide a killer show and an endless number of great memories for all who attended, but you helped those in need along the way. The Czars, the volunteers and the red shirt army will always be top shelf in my book! While I am glad to see a lot of new traditional rod n kustom shows starting up, none will replace the Hunnert! Hope to make it out to the Heads- Up this year.
rashy and i where just talking about how much we will miss going to this show....proud to say i was in the red shirt army...
The Czars have done this from a standpoint of love and respect for the hobby. The guys that understand this - get it. Meanwhile others have tried but missed the mark. I can tell you we are trying our best to keep the same mindset and traditions going with the HUGE help that the Czars have provided. As for the quote above....and people pocketing money......How about LOSING money the first 2 years....... I can tell ya first hand how hard it is to get something like this going. We hope that we can finally break even this year....or (wishful thinking) make up for the losses from the previous two years. I urge others to go out and support the OTHER independent shows that are out there........ INCLUDING the Chrome Czars Nostalgia Drags Hunnert Car Heads Up - Union Grove WI June 16, 2012 Meltdown Drags - Byron IL July 21/22, 2012 Battle at the Hill - Indiana August 5, 2012 Run Whatcha Brung Drag Fest - Cordova IL Sept. 29, 2012 www.vintagetorquefest.com May 4 & 5, 2012 - Maquoketa IA Rain Or Shine www.straykatkustoms.com Stray Kat 500 May 4-6 2012 - Dewey OK http://www.rustrevival.com/ May 19-20, 2012 - Wayland MO http://blacktopbarons.com/ Road Block June 2, 2012 Yorkville, IL www.sinsofsteel.com June 2, 2012 Davisburg, MI www.thescrapdrive.com June 9, 2012 Belvidere IL www.symcoshakedown.com Aug. 10-11, 2012 Symco, WI www.gilmorecarmuseum.org Aug. 18, 2012 Relix Riot - Gilmore Auto Museum Cheaterama @ The Nite Owl Aug. 25, 2012 Milwaukee, WI www.bomberscarclub.com Bombs Away Bash Aug 25, 2012 East Peoria, IL http://www.greaserama.com/ Labor Day Weekend - Boulevard Drive Inn Kansas City MO www.straykatkustoms.com StarLiner Sept 9-11 Wichita KS www.ironinvasion.com Oct 6, 2012 Woodstock IL Many of these are shows that were DIRECTLY influenced by or started w/ help of Chrome Czars..... for that we thank you! Your charity contributions are just a huge bonus that make us hope you have continued success in whatever ventures the Czars come up with in the future. You know we will be there to support all that you do.
10 years is a good run very awesome that you gave to charity dam sure wish this run wasnt over, Bummed I never made one
Symco Shakedown is mainly possible because of the Hunnert Car Pileup and The Rust Revival. With a little influence from the Lonestar Roundup as well. I "stole" many things from each of those shows and owe a lot to them all. The Czars have been the leaders for years and the Pileup will be missed. The amount of charity donation amazes me. I personally know what it takes to put on a large event and the hours that go into it. I know I could not do Symco without the funds from the show to support my legwork. Everyone needs to remember that many of the Czars spend their own money in gas and time to put on this show...then the profits go to charity. Very stand up guys!!! The shear amount of money raised in less than 10 years is amazing. You guys deserve a huge pat on the back. Hope to see more good things to come from the Hunnert Heads Up!!
Thanks to Ryno for helping me select Ozark Center for Autism that was damaged during the Joplin tornado. I wanted to give back to Joplin, and I have several friends who are parents of kids with Autism, so it was a perfect choice for me. Thanks to the Czars for including me in the selection process.
I am VERY proud to have been a small cog in the huge wheel that the HCPU has become. The amount of money that they donated to charities is mind blowing! The show has been about the PEOPLE coming together celebrate the hot rod, something that is truly American. There was never any "I, I, I" like you see so often these days, everyone always said "WE" from the Czars, the RSA, everyone. Thats what made the show what is was, the people. Now a whole bunch of people who may or may not even know what the HCPU is are going to benefit from it. That truly is a great gift. My hat's off to the Czars, thanks for a wild ride!
I'm actually quite proud for the Czar's. A monumental task in planning and executing the Pileup each year. Thanks guys. Stu
You guys and gals are amazing. Thanks for all you've done. My life changed after becoming a member of the red shirt army.
good job guys! i spoke with the autism center the other day and they are very appreciative. thank you!
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