Well what can i say, we tried real hard... just got overwhelmed by the crowd The show itself went well, lots of good cars, things flowed well, the spectators backed up traffic for miles and miles. Big giant thanks to the Red Shirt Army(tm), you guys really really got leaned on hard this year, some couldn't handle the intense battle and broke ranks and fled, some just didn't show up, but he guys and gals who hung it out.. really really did a great job. They were the rock.. the solid foundation that the pileup is built upon. Thank you, not just from the Chrome Czars and Catherine.. from the bottom of my heart, i personally thank you for your hard work and endurance. I also want to apologize to you for the abuse you had to put up with from the nasty nasty people who showed up. The type of person who "gets" the point of the pileup.. well, they were all inside.. those people.. gold chainers, rednecks and general malcontents were there for the freakshow.. not the pileup. Things went real well in the morning, cars went in easily, by 10:00 the lines were down.. by 11:00 most of the show cars were in. Spectators started backing up traffic about this time, the lot reached maximum capacity around 12 - 1, interstate 80 had a 1-1/2 mile backup, 47 was backed up for miles in each direction. In order to facilitate the traffic flow we had to shut down admission into the lot.. they needed to get 47 flowing in order to get the cars off I80. The idiots who couldn't get in to the lot decided to pull over and park on the side of the road.. backing up traffic further. At the same time, people in the pileup decided they need to go home for a late lunch.. around 2:00 and they started trying to leave.. so things got even more backed up. We turned cars away from the pileup for about 3-1/2 hours..i estimate that the crowd potential could have been 25,000 if the parking lot was big enough. I would be happy if none of them showed up. Remember when the spectators at the pileup were the people who drove their cars? The crowd was nasty mean..Queen Eileen shut down t-shirt sales early because of the evil people and the things they were saying when they found out all we had left was womens shirts. The cars that showed up were awesome, from what i saw.. things are getting better in that area. The usual mix of rat rods and traditional cars.. less art cars. The cool thing is, is that some of the rat rod cars are making the cross over into real respectable traditional rods now. I saw more than a few cars that are making that move, things are being re-fabricated, rubber skulls and rats are being removed, real working brakes.. and wiring .. real paint and windshields and being added. People are working on them. That makes me happy, as it is my personal mission to educate the masses on the evils of rat rods. Ratty and rusty is a fad that is gladly dying. I want to thanks Catherin "DW" for being a huge help and the Czar Buffer (so we don't kill each other the day of the show ) I want to thank my Czar brothers who step up to the task every year, without fail and for believing in what we do. My girl Queen Eileen, for feeling my pain, and for her hard work managing the t-shirt sales, and putting up with assholes and still having a smile on her face. I also want to welcome two new Chrome Czars, we jumped them in friday night at the pre-party. Ryan Largo, you might know as "lowpunk" and Brian Noonan. Good guys you can lean on in a pinch, they stepped up on saturday with no warning and filled in the gaps for us.. great work guys. That makes 9 of us now. A small maroon army. Because we had to shut down the gates early, and everything costs more (stoopid economy) nowadays, we may not be able to come up with the 25g's we donated to charity last year.. i hope we do..we will see how that works out in the coming weeks. I want to apologize personally .. to all those who couldn't get into the show, its unfortunate, but we couldn't help it. Thanks for coming to support us. My personal message to all those that were nasty or were bitching online. Its simple... don't bother coming, we don't want people like you around. We can do this without you. Another note, big ups to the Morris Lions club, they had a great swap the Sunday after, i didn't get to go.. but i heard there were some sweet deals to be had. It was good to see and have help from all the midwestern clubs out there.. Vagabond, Kropdusters, VooDoo Kings, Suedes, Blacktop Barons all you guys make the pileup great.
Thanks Magnet,Chrome Czars and the Red Shirt Brigade for the Excellent show that you guys put together every year. You are right about the quality of cars as in my five years of attending I too have seen the shift to finished Traditional cars and am loving the craftsmanship and details that are going into these cars. I always go home with thousands of ideas. Next year will be my first year for volunteering and I will see if I can drag my Bombers Bros with me to stand the line.
Exactly!!! If you know the Pileup, you know how it works. The people, I like to refer to as "roadies"....they follow the car shows for the wrong reasons. We never had the first problem, we'll be back. Thanks guys.
Good letter Magnet. The Road Rockets ran the south gate from 9-11am. Anytime we had a question or needed anything there was a Czar close by. We had zero issues all morning long, every participant that came thru our gate was courtious and friendly. From our vantage point the morning went smooth. Good show ran by good people. That's what it is all about.
Whoa! Now that sums it up pretty well and puts a lot of things into perspective. I hope everyone takes the time to read through Mike's post at least twice, there are some incredible observations and a "crystal ball" peek at what future Pile-Up's may be like ... I can't wait. Thanks!
I dont feel you have any reason for apologies! You guys did an amazing job!! And kept things tight as a drum Its the assholes and whiners that need to say sorry.
Yeah sorry.. Road Rockets too.. you guys nailed the south gate... thanks for your help.. its had to find good people you can rely on.. you guys are those people.
We just have to remember that for every bad time, there's going to be two good times. Its still a great show & A Big Thanks to the Czars, DW & The Red Shirts. You Rock
Magnet, Nice meeting you on Saturday, We talked for as long as you could, your a busy man. Thanks for putting on a great show, I took my 9 year old son, his 1st time my 4th, and I gotta tell ya he had a blast, wants to come again next year. I did not get to party as much having him there, but still enjoyed the at PBR noon. Thanks Again.......
My personal message to all those that were nasty or were bitching online. Its simple... don't bother coming, we don't want people like you around. We can do this without you. Well said Mike..... no need for apoligy......it was my first and Me and Tindalinnee had a blast...see ya next year. Thank you!
I hope that the bad element decides the show sucks and won't come back. I had no trouble at the main gate for my 9-11 shift and always feel like I should do more. Just holler next time, I'll come a runnin".
I was flagging from 3 to 5pm at the exit right by the cops on Rt47. People bitched, swore at me etc. Most of the folks that bitched about being stuck in line to get out were also talking, texting on their phones, or just plain not payin attention. I was asked by one guy (after observing my aggressive flagging), "Whats your hurry, I've already been waiting an hour and a half to get out". I politely told him it was because I didn't want him to wait another hour and a half. Problems aside, if it were me that was behind this show, I'd be proud that it attracted as many people as it did. It shut down 2 major roads man! Now, I know thats not safe and needs to be addressed as I'm sure it will be. Still, it wouldn't have happened if it weren't the end of the year bash that it is. If you went this year and didn't like what went down, stay home next year. That will help out with the traffic problem a bit. As for me, I'll be there next year, freezin my ass off, wavin my flag or whatever I'm asked to do.
Pretty cool to be a part of an event like this!!! I had a great time. Every promoter is looking at the Pileup trying to figure out how to have an event like this. The cool part is, people really love this show. It's natural, not staged, not overly hyped, and not forced down our throats.... It's a great show, with great people and great cars... Who wouldn't want to be there! Don't worry about the complainers and don't worry you'll figure the other shit out. Thanks again (Chrome Czars and the Red Shirts! ) for ALL of your hard work!!!
Just got to say i totally agree about the whole asshole thing, there sure were a lot there for some reason. I have been going to that show for the past four years, and did not have any problems until this year. Meaning the spectators, there still was some really nice cars there this year. But the thing that was pissing me off the most were the people that would walk right into your shot when you are taking pictures. And by god there were sure a lot of fuck bags doing that, i mean i am not a professional photographer. But for big events like that i like to get as many as i can to remember that year. I don't know maybe it should be moved to a bigger area, cause as you can see it is getting bigger every year. I also want to say i can't wait to go to that show y'all are going to have next year in may i think at union grove. I went to the first one and had a good time wasn't as big as i thought it was going to be, but it was your first one. Other then that great show Chrome Czars and all the rest that helped out and see ya guys next year at the union drag and the pile up. And if you need some extra hands maybe i could help ya out next year if so just let me know. Well take care and keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
worst part of all.......with the exception of a handful, the dickweeds that bitch wouldn't know what the hamb was if you told them all about it ! hopefully if they are on here, they read this and decide not to be a dick [cause thats what they think the scenes about] or they figure next yr the red shirts will all have tazzers, and not come! if you cant have fun at this show, then you need to get back in your flt blk accord, and go home! thanks mike! you, catherine, czars, all the clubs, red shirts, list go's on and on! onna side note, all the dickheads that came to the pu!!!PLEASE COME TO THE RUST REVIVAL!!!! we would love to have you! in MO, or local cops watch as a fuckhead gets "escorted" away!!!
I'd like to add a positive note about the people leaving between 3ish and 5. I was the Czar standing at the exit road were it met Rt.47. And as many of you guys driving a hot rod or custom that I could catch your eye I gave a smile and wave. And those that could hear my hoarse, ragged voice I thanked again for coming. And 100% of you waved back and I even heard a few "you guys kick ass" comments. That's the Pile Up. You guys. DRIVING your cars. I know it was hell getting out. And I'm not really sure about the reason behind the whole late-lunch type exodus, but the majority of the guys/gals DRIVING their cars were more than happy to wait a few minutes. And drive out SAFELY. On the other side of the coin, the guy in the WHITE AMBULANCE. Yeah, you're not even invited next year. Cruising down the right hand lane only to IGNORE both myself and the cops trying to get everyone onto RT47 SAFELY, and then almost causing a crash with a guy in a custom (thank GOD he didn't, the custom was SWEET). Yeah, that's just not safe. And an asshole thing to do. Everyone else waited in line. Paid attention to the flaggers and cops. Was safe and did their best to be courteous to their fellow hot rodders. But no you, Mr. White Ambulance that left screaming that you only made $50 selling hot rod movies IN THE PARKING LOT instead of inside the show. Oh, and the guy that got pissed that he was denied entry that went WIDE OPEN THROTTLE through the spectator line. That was the MOST AMETURE, IMMATURE, UNSAFE THING I'VE EVER SEEN (at a car show). Whew. I feel better now. Thank you all SOOOO much for making the Pile Up again, a safe and fun event. You guys are all what makes the show. We're (Czars) just fortunate enough to know you guys.
Yeah, what was up with everyone wanting to leave at 2 o'clock? Don't you come for a car show? Magnet usually has to ask me to leave....several times. ha ha ha
hey!!! it was 3 bucko! you have no idea how weird is was leaving that early! out of the 4 plus hrs home, i bet me n the kids sang that damn diarrhea song for 2 hrs! ugh!
I posted some suggestion's on Hellfish's official Czar thread but I forgot one: Change the Red Shirt Army to the Red Pants Army. Did you see that cat in the red pants? A big fashion risk mixing maroon and red but he looked pretty snazzy. I would like to give special mention to my good friend and red shirter Mike Kline. Mike has never been to a Pileup but he put in at least 4 hours of parking lot detail at the south gate. Mike was in the Special Forces in Vietnam so you know he is tough but the poor guy froze and didn't get to see very many cars.
Mike nailed it. Well, except his fashion sense. If you think his red and maroon clashes, you should see him in the summer. All I'm going to say is "Birkenstocks". Anyway, he nailed it with his observations. I'll add that most of you guys have no idea how hard DW/Catherine works. She does the work of 10 Czars (and there are only 9 of us) and 50 volunteers... with a smile... and an occassional "suck it!" This show would NOT happen without her efforts. Next time you see her, give her a big hug. She loves them. If the Red Shirt Army had Medals of Honor, quite a few would have been awarded this year. Some examples: Ike from the Blacktop Barons was on the way to his shift but got stuck on I-80 more than a mile from the exit. He could tell we needed help, so he got out and WALKED the 2-3 miles to the Fairgrounds so he could be there on time. Al from the Blacktop Barons jumped in front of a pissed off biker to stop him from going where he couldn't. He grabbed the guys handlebars, smiled, and asked the guy to go another way... all while the guy was still spinning his rear tire and yelling at him. Al and Mikey (both Barons) stopped checking out cars to run a battery to my wife who's '58 Morris Minor died on the way to the show. They made it back, but ended up working the rest of the day helping where there were shortages, and never got to really look around at all. Rashy, who drove all the way from Oklahoma, only to work 2 hours and never see the show, yet kept a (weary) smile and still hung out in the cold at the bar and had a good time anyway. Then there were guys like VonDust and MercDeuceMan who worked their shifts with smiles and offered some helpful tips for next year. FltBlk, Pinstriper, WowCars, and other Suedes, Them, Blacktop Barons and more who were really hard on cars trying to get in. Harder than we could be. As one of the Suedes mentioned to me "It's hard to turn some of the se cars away, but after 5 or 6 it gets easier"... but it's never easy. There are too many people to thank.
Not much more can be said, but it is pretty cool to see that most of the HAMB is as passionate about the show as we are. We couldn't do it without all of the help from the Red Shirt Army, DW, and our wives and g/f. Thanks everyone.
Thanks for another year of great memories and a good time. Don't know what else to say. See ya next year. Gary
Yeah, you always tell me.. when i finish my beer.. or its not even really dark yet You always are one of the last to leave. Next time i will just tell you to shut the gates behind you
Oh yeah.. Big Ups to my boys from Long Island.. it was a pleasure drinking your beer with you. people, if you want to have that close personal attention from a rock star like Captain Fancypants.. all you have to do is say.. "We got some beer.. you want some?".
I have been attending this show since #2 in Sycamore, and I think you guys do a better job every year. True, there may need to be a few adjustments for next year, but I'm already lookin forward to it. Thank you Czars,
Thanks Chrome Czars!!!! This was my forth year and 2nd with my car. Entry went smooth and there was some bad ass cars as always. Had a great time for the morning starting off like crap when some asshole in his model a coupe rubbed the side of my car cause he was in a hurry to cut line. Thank your buddy for savin your ass. These dicks need to go back to there Goodguys shows. Meet a big dude from Drifters cc. good talkin to ya hope u had a good time for drivin all the way out here from the east coast.
The Jalopy Journal
