Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

[Eau Rouge]

Hey all, not to deter or detract from anything that Erich is putting together on the East coast, but with the cost of travel so high these days, I have been contemplating putting together a little informal gathering of collectors and enthusiasts here in the Midwest. More of a display, show-off and swap meet for anyone who'd love to attend. No racing, just a show of sorts, and a place to swap or sell some of the things you no longer need.

Anyone interested?

My plan was to do something in September when the weather is still tolerable here, and I'm targeting the Van Horne Woods location in Joliet/Plainfeild, which is where the long-running JORROCC club raced outdoors for more than a decade back in the 80s and 90s. For anyone in this area, that was THE Mecca of off road racing in the 80s. It's a public park with a parking lot, so there should not be an issue with a bunch of us standing around, setting up tables or even canopies. I may check with the Plainfield Park District and clear it with them if there is enough interest.



I know of at least 6 or 7 guys in this area... anyone want to join in a day of reminiscing and telling tall tales, with a chance to show off your toys?

[fastang]

That would be cool! I might be in depending on details.

[a01butal]

Once you finalize the date I'll know whether I can make it but this sounds great. We need something like this to put a face on people and do some great bench racing. A great idea and I'd be willing to help Doug anyway I can. Besides I live only about 10 minutes from there.

[call-911]

I'd be in. Why not have it at the track where we can do some informal racing too? I'd love to blast one of my RC10 projects around the track while mixing it up with everyone.

[badhoopty]

most likely.

[highwayracer]

I'm in. I haven't been to JOROCC since I last raced there in 1992. Doug's correct, JOROCC was THE place to be. I still have one of my membership cards, a few trophys and a bunch of memories.

Regards,
highwayracer

[GJW]

wow what a great idea..wish we could do one here in aus in each state

[Eau Rouge]

I'd be in. Why not have it at the track where we can do some informal racing too? I'd love to blast one of my RC10 projects around the track while mixing it up with everyone.

I'd absolutely LOVE to do it at a track, but with only ONE track in this area, and that one is 1/8th scale supercross-oriented, there probably wouldn't be too many vintage cars on the track at all.

I'd really love to find an outdoor track in the Midwest that would cater to an old school layout, but I'm not holding my breath. I might have a line on something, though. I think for a first gathering though, there is something really special about that little plot of park district land in Plainfield.

[call-911]

That may be ok then. A friend of mine at work has a dirt bicycle park 30 yards from the old JOROCC track. Maybe they won't be using it when we meet up.

[templeofspeed]

CRCRC here in Ohio would be glad to cater to a vintage race from what I hear.

[a01butal]

Hope this gathering idea is still in the works(willing to help) and just to stir up some memories I scrounged this up from a local source known to a few.

IMG_0471.JPG (67.94 KiB) Viewed 3440 times

IMG_0471.JPG (67.94 KiB) Viewed 3440 times

Al

[Eau Rouge]

Oh awesome.

Yeah, I'm still throwing some loose ideas around in my head. Once the Vintage Nats stuff calms down, I'll have some more news for a loose gathering in the Chicago area.

[call-911]

Those are cool Al!!! My JOROCC Van Horne Woods t-shirt used to be one of my favorites when I was a kid.

[a01butal]

Keith, there might be a few t-shirts left it's being looked into.

[top cat mike]

there seems to be a bunch of folks from the area that cruise this site...it would be kinda cool to see some of the other vintage rigs in action...what would it take to put a get together up and running...lord knows if u live in the area there isn't much else to do now except day dream about using ur cars