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Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:59 pm
by 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?

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:06 pm
by fastang
That would be cool! I might be in depending on details.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:13 pm
by 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.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:31 pm
by 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.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:55 pm
by badhoopty
most likely.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:31 am
by 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

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:54 am
by GJW
wow what a great idea..wish we could do one here in aus in each state :wink:

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:52 am
by Eau Rouge
call-911 wrote: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.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:56 am
by 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. :D

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:51 pm
by templeofspeed
CRCRC here in Ohio would be glad to cater to a vintage race from what I hear.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:18 pm
by 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
IMG_0471.JPG (67.94 KiB) Viewed 3230 times
IMG_0471.JPG
IMG_0471.JPG (67.94 KiB) Viewed 3230 times
Al

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:23 pm
by 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.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:32 pm
by call-911
Those are cool Al!!! 8) My JOROCC Van Horne Woods t-shirt used to be one of my favorites when I was a kid.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:19 pm
by a01butal
Keith, there might be a few t-shirts left it's being looked into.

Re: Midwest Gathering (Illinois)

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:43 pm
by 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 8)