Topic: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

At Thunderhill I was asked by several people if we were going to represent in this show again, so I contact the organizers and it looks like we are. Details are still being worked out, but it looks like our to provide the antidote for the pretty Euro Sunday exhibit is going to happen.

Link: http://sacautoshow.com/

The date of the event is Fri-Sun, October 16 - 18, about a month from now. It this goes like last year we'll bring the cars in early on Friday and will retrieve them on Sunday at around 5-6 PM. Last year they asked that we have minimal fuel in the cars, disconnect the batteries, and bring drip pans. I'll bring tools to help with the battery thing and extra drip pans.

As it stands now we can have the open and outdoor area that is in the middle of the buildings. It's a big space and will get a lot of traffic, but it is outdoors, so El Nino rain, etc, if that happens... Yea, our cars aren't exactly made of sugar, but between having open windows, our signs/posters, not being able to play video on laptops or projectors, and not really wanting to stand out in the rain/sun all day to greet people and tell our tall tales... not optimal. There is still a possibility that we can get an indoor space. The organizers are waiting for confirmation or something from another group. I vote that she just boot them in favor of a much more fun, reliable, and reputable lot, us.

As far as teams that have responded, it looks like we'll have the following:

  • Model T GT

  • Thunderchicken

  • Upside-down Camaro

  • Tinyvette

  • Team Camel Toe, possibly displayed with the Limo tow vehicle

  • Scrubby

  • California Raisin (purple Mini, will need help with transport)

  • Faster Farms

  • Rambler or Buick (Will need help with transport)

Also, possibly the Bricklin.

I can help with the above transport needs.

I'm hoping to get Balto and the Zombee, and I'd love to be able to contact the Del Camino guys to see if they'd bring their car(?). Maybe Jesse would want to bring his truck, and I'll contact the Devil Camaro guys that exhibited at the Moscone show last December.

One idea we've been kicking around is to not only show the cars but to stage them, add some little extras to set the scene better and give a little context, a little (oily) feel, to the exhibit. For example, my car has eaten about 8 transmissions, so I'd arrange a neat pile of them, like a wood pile, the dead ones along with our last good one. Others have suggested having a spare motor on a hoist, ready to go in the car, because that happens a lot during our races. Another possibility is the car, tools, parts, and a sleeping bag on the ground next to it all, because that is a typical scene at these races. Crazy Mike would return with his Vanagan towing a VW and will set up a small camp area. Cases of beer stacked next to fuel jugs would also make the right impression. I'm sure we could do all this without making a mess or creating hazards. We can also play in-car race videos on laptops or whatever we can find and possibly even some of the race recap videos the Lemons organizers create. Or we could just play the audio through a small PA system to set the mood for the room.

I made 11x17 posters for each car last year and will be happy to do that again this year, unless you want to make your own.

Pics from last year, including the posters - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set … amp;type=3

Mike

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

I've been thinking more about the staging. We all know that this Lemons thing isn't only about the cars, and most of our race weekends are spent in the paddock, same with the 8 spectators who come to these races, so there are possibilities here. I was thinking of bringing a pop-up, chairs, cooler, spare tires, a stack of transmissions, and also fueling stuff, and setting up sort of like how the paddock looks, with slight differences, like the third fuel bottle being labeled "Beer". The chairs and cooler would actually get used. Chuck and I were on hand all weekend last year and luckily he had brought a couple chairs, not that we had a lot of time to sit. Were were busy with visitors all weekend.

Last year Mike and Amanda left Scrubby on the trailer still hitched to the Vanagan. They pulled out the awning and set out a few chairs. Very nice. Very creative. It really added something to the show, and basically I'd like to build on that this year.

Another thing about our staging, the other exhibits have nice cars and all, but just cars. Our cars are fun and funny, and with the extra dimension of staging to provide an ambiance, we'd totally dominate! Think about it. People walk into the EuroSuday room and "Nice super-Ferrari. Do you drive it?" People walk into our exhibit and "You're serious. You race that?" Not to take anything away from our EuroSunday friends, but we'd totally dominate.

Team Camel Toe has offered to bring and leave the tow Limo. Imagine when people come in to see what we've got and they see how one team's a Porsche that was once owned by the prince of some middle eastern country is towed by a Limo. Actually that sort of makes sense. And perhaps Mike and Amanda can bump their exhibit up, setting out enough of a kitchen to get the message out. Food! I wonder if Adrian and company would be willing to come wearing their chicken suits. Something to think about. I've already described my pit space/fueling idea. If you are into this I am sure you can come up with some great ideas that are easy to execute.

By the way, this is not required or expected, but I'm sure people who helped out last year will recognize how easy and fun this can be and how strong an impression it can make on our visitors. Car shows may never be the same after this.

Recently we've added two cars to the show:

  • Balto

  • Jesse's boom-box pick-up

Fresh possibles include:

  • Bricklin

  • Del Camino

  • Lone Ranger (corner worker theme)

Now only if somehow we could get The Homer up for this show, or anything Spank has built. A certain VW-powered diesel Porsche would be nice too, with a theme based on current news events that begs to be done.

Mike

3 (edited by shouldnthave 2015-09-24 04:16 PM)

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

I might be able to drag the Coyoty M down (it's just up in Chico). The whole drive train has been ripped out of it (some of it with tools even), but I might be able to get it up and running in time. With enough people we can just push it around I guess. Only if you think it's Lemony enough though.

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

m610 wrote:

The date of the event is Fri-Sun, October 16 - 18, about a month from now. It this goes like last year we'll bring the cars in early on Friday and will retrieve them on Sunday at around 5-6 PM. Last year they asked that we have minimal fuel in the cars, disconnect the batteries, and bring drip pans. I'll bring tools to help with the battery thing and extra drip pans.

Stupid question - if the cars all have kill switches, then why would there be a need to disconnect any batteries?

While this would be fun, towing to/from Gilroy 2 times is probably a bit much.  But thanks for arranging this, it's pretty cool.

bs

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

bshorey wrote:
m610 wrote:

The date of the event is Fri-Sun, October 16 - 18, about a month from now. It this goes like last year we'll bring the cars in early on Friday and will retrieve them on Sunday at around 5-6 PM. Last year they asked that we have minimal fuel in the cars, disconnect the batteries, and bring drip pans. I'll bring tools to help with the battery thing and extra drip pans.

Stupid question - if the cars all have kill switches, then why would there be a need to disconnect any batteries?

While this would be fun, towing to/from Gilroy 2 times is probably a bit much.  But thanks for arranging this, it's pretty cool.

bs

So the feral public does not start your racecar that you bypassed the ignition on?
Last year if we had an ignition key and hit the kill switch they were fine with it.

'13  Sonoma - Class B Crown Vic, 14 Sonoma IOE - Race Rambler!, Autobahn Class C+IOE #Racevan!, '15 Thill IOE Winner - Omega!, '16 Ridge - IOE - Avanti!, '17 THill Class C Winner - Omega, Butt IOE - Race 411, Sonoma IOE - Aztek '18 Butt - IOE - Allante, MSR - IOE - '41 Olds - '19 Butt-Class C - Allante, '20 Covid, '21 THill-Class B - Omega, Sonoma - IOE and HWG  - Satellite, '22 Sonoma - HWG-Tojan

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

The car has to be dead, as in totally unable to turn anything on. Of course, we managed to figure out how to do that and make a little noise last year, and smog up the room.

Besides the kill switch I have a battery disconnect mounted in the rear firewall. Once and a while the car gets parked in public and all I need is for a kid to mess with some switches then push the pretty red button.

It looks like we are going to be outside. It's a large space right in the middle of all the other exhibits, so it is a very high traffic area.

I'll bring two pop-ups for shade and rain and will bring tarps in case they are needed.

Jay has enthusiastically offered the UDC. I'll be picking it up in Stockton. I'll trailer it up, but it would be much more fun to drive it up. Maybe with an escort. The CHP needs the PR, right? One of our former drivers is PD down that way and I'll see if knows a way that can be arranged.

The MTGT is coming. Balto is coming. The Zombee is on its way to Miller. Maybe I can talk Pete into leaving it with me on his return trip. Corey's Buick and several other cars are coming. It would be so cool to have the TCT car on a trailer hitched to their Limo tow vehicle.

I still need to contact Del Camino and the corner worker-themed Ranger. Can anyone here help?

Mike

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Hey Mike, this is chet with the del camino. I'm going to be working the weekend of the show. I can leave the car with you and pick it back up..?

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

ubetchet wrote:

Hey Mike, this is chet with the del camino. I'm going to be working the weekend of the show. I can leave the car with you and pick it back up..?

Of course. PM Sent.

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

The ToyoHog is just sitting. Doesn't run, but it's complete. Well, I'll need to re-do the saddlebags. It's light and easy to push.

I can load it on a trailer if someone wants to tow it up and back. I just can't afford the time away from working on the house.

I'd love to play along some day, but my timing is bad lately.

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

I'd love to see it in the show. Towing that distance would be a challenge. I expect to go through 2-3 tanks just rounding up the cars in this area that I'll be towing to/from the show.

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Home stretch. It's this weekend. It looks like I'll start picking up cars on Wednesday evening but most of the exhibit will be set up on Thursday. I'll get the UDC on Thursday will haul or get someone to drive the Tinyvette over. I'll also help get the Raisin there. Others will be bringing their cars.

I'm trying to make this more than just a bunch of cars, not that ours are just cars. With a little staging, some extras, well, it won't quite be Disney land, but hopefully we'll be on our way to redefining events like these.

Also, posters...

https://fbcdn-photos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/t31.0-0/p417x417/12109934_1204307242916764_8012937605082725458_o.jpg

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Just wanted to say Thanks for all of your efforts to not just do this but to Do This Right.

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

FYI.  Just saw an ad for the Sac Auto Show tonight during Channel 3(Local Sacto NBC affiliate)Late News. Big mention of the"Crazy Racing Art
Cars" being featured at the show.  With a good still shot of the UDC.  They like us....they really live us.  Cya Thursday.

M45 Racing,
#45 '08 Subaru WRX,
#4  '63 Studebaker Avanti, IOE, The Ridge 2016
#19 '90 Thunderbird Super Coupe(retired) Organizers Choice Award, Sears 2015

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Like Jeff needs more media attention. wink

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Spank, much thanks for the kind words.

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Load-in is tomorrow, load-out on Sunday. Tomorrow will be a busy day fetching cars and setting up. The show is Friday-Sunday, just like a Lemons race.

Here's a Google maps link to the Expo: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.5934619 … 298005,16z

The eight buildings near the "California State Fair" text is where we will be. That space in the middle of them? That's our exhibit area.

I have Cory's Oldsmobile on my trailer now. I'll drop it off as early as I can. Then I'll come back for the Tinyvette. Both cars should be there by 11 AM. Over in one corner I'll set up some pop-ups, etc. Then I head off to Stockton to get the UDC, and later I help Mike get the Mini there. Once I am done transporting cars I'll hang around until they kick us out, which will probably be around 7-8 PM.

I've got a big sign that is the image of a Lemons bumper sticker. We don't exactly have an entrance but we'll put it somewhere so people, mouth agape, will know what this is before they enter the fun house. I'll bring the posters I made.

The list of cars coming is:

  1. Model T GT

  2. Balto

  3. Oldsmobile Omega

  4. Tinyvette

  5. Scion Toaster (probably)

  6. Faster Farms

  7. Restart Racing (Corner Worker S10)

  8. TCT with limo

  9. Scrubby with Vanagan

  10. California Raisin (purple Mini)

  11. Thunderchicken

  12. UDC

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Oops. I called a Ford a Chevy. I may need a body guard this weekend.

I also forgot to include the Del Camino in the list.

18 (edited by m610 2016-06-29 05:40 PM)

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

One down, 12 to go. The Tinyvette is on the trailer now and the Limo is on its way from the Bay Area.

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/12109959_1209160949098060_164811881336361389_o.jpg

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Long days, early starts, why do we do it?

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11148332_1209798439034311_2648123845619678758_o.jpg

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Before I get back to whatever it is I do... the recap.

First, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who brought a car, for your time and travel and hard work, and for the sandwiches Gene made me.

The outdoor location worked out well for us. We were the first thing everyone saw when they came over to this section of the show. I had been concerned about weather and we did have a bit, just enough to soak the car seats people would be sitting in, but not enough to ruin the whole effort. I'm just glad I brought extra shirts. Dumping the accumulated rain water out of the pop-ups is not a technique I have mastered.

Best thing I heard all weekend, some guy behind me walking past paused to comment: "Why would they turn THAT into a race car, or something?" I'm guessing he was referring to the Oldsmobile. If only Corey could have brought the Ramble, too.

Best face I saw all weekend: the look of disgust and near anger after walking up to the Del Camino and seeing a Honda motor in what they obviously thought was an El Camino. You'd think we had thrown Old Glory in a mud puddle and were dancing on it. I helped him out with the Del Sol part of what he was looking at and I think he walked away still upset at seeing El Camino body panels on a Honda. 'Murica!

As for faces, and this is something we talked about while packing up, there were many expressions shock and disbelief. I think for most of us that was our show. And more than once there'd be someone walking past, looks over, jaw drops, and as if they had blinders on would walk straight up to the UDC or another car and just look down and stare at it.

Best action moment: when Adrian fired up the Belvedere with a crowd around the car. Instantly 20 hands went up to cover 20 ears and two hands went up to cover one nose, accompanied by 40-some big grins and one crying baby. Moments like that, only in Lemons.

The thing I heard most: "You guys are obviously having a lot of fun." (In other words, SUCCESS!)

By the way, genius on Adrian's part, starting up the car every hour or so. When he did this you could see heads popping out of the of the other exhibit rooms and within a few minutes we'd have a new crowd around the cars. Later the TCT Porsche and Raisin Mini would play a higher pitched tunes for the assembled masses. And all along I was expecting Stacey or the Fire Marshall to come over and shut us down, but it turns out where we thought we were hooning, we were not. It was fine. We were outside and could make as much noise and stink, or as Adrian calls it, "smell of success", as we wanted. So, next year...

Crazy Mike's solemn readings from the Sacred Book of Haynes has potential. Next year, Mike, a gown and podium might do the trick, plus a "Services at..." sign.

I think Wild Bill of Wild Bill's Tattoos thought our stuff was weirder than his, and after talking to him and bit and seeing his cars, that's saying something.

And thanks all for helping me pack up. The Del Camino guys saved me a lot of work by driving the Tinyvette to my place and they spared me the impossible task of loading up the UDC alone. Speaking of which, thanks for the help getting that car on the trailer. Not an easy task. It's still on the trailer in front of my place and may make a brief appearance at the final Cruise-in here in Davis tomorrow before Dick and I work out when I can bring it back down to Stockton. Meanwhile, my neighbor's three daughters are screaming at their dad that that's the car in the magazines and they want to stay home from school to check it out. I figure the other neighbors are amused just enough to let me keep it there for a day or two before they'll call the police, because, you know, that's what neighbors tend to do.

Other items.

Due to miscommunications we missed out on having the Coyote at the show. That would have been a fantastic addition. Spank offered his Toyo-Hog but wouldn't be able to bring it up himself. Imagine firing that thing up. It wasn't running, but if we do this next year...

We gave out all of the stickers and nearly all of the post cards Nick sent us. Would I be crazy if I guessed we had around 1,000 visitors?

The book got some attention and maybe a few sales. The idea of a second edition was seriously discussed, and the desire for a volume 2 was expressed.

A lot of people told me they wanted to attend the December race. I gave them a few pointers, things like how they could not only watch the race but join their favorite teams in the paddock, that tech and BS were fun, etc. I figure we just made Jay another $60-90.

I think we had two people who were serious about buying the Scion Toaster. It seems neither my "Christmas is coming and for the man in your life who has wanted to be race car driver since he was 6..." or "Christmas is coming and for the woman in your life, who has a secret passion that..." pitches worked. Nor did the "Get her a toaster for your next anniversary..." or "kids, when you write to Santa..." pitches work. Marking the car down from $80k might have. Anyway, hopefully John's toaster will sell.

Between the toaster and Balto John got some notice. He said his FB page picked up more than 100 likes over the weekend.

I still can't believe I ate at McD's 6 times last weekend. Food slumming seems to be the only pre-dawn and late evening options when you are too tired to cook. Besides, I was out of Ramen.

I was there on Friday to answer questions from the TV "personalities" from the two stations that were there, but they ignored me and instead came in all hurried like, pointed and said "And look, even an upside down car." then ran off to the EV car exhibit while yacking about some pointless nothing. Boy, did they miss a good story.

Mike

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Several people have already asked about next year. I guess that could happen. We had a great turnout and a lot of astonished and amused visitors this year, so I guess it would be worth another go, but, what should we do to up our game? We bumped it up a bit this year with more cars, staging the exhibits, making some noise, etc. We need to bump it up again, else we'll get bored.

Some ideas:
1. A jumbotron. We have video, but we need a big screen that works out doors. We could play race video and/or Lemons race recaps. I'm sure Jay would spring for this.

http://jumbotronrental.com/images/belgium%20gp.jpg

2. Sunday Services: Mike Kimball can conduct services every hour, on the hour, reading selected passages from the Sacred Book of Haynes, and following the reading with a brief moral lesson, and of course, a demonstration.

3. Take one or more of our cars out to the autox circuit, possibly with a passenger on board.

4. Set up Alex's Lemonade Stand or Speedway Children's Charities booths.

5. Raffle off broken car parts.

6. More cars. The Zombee was represented by a t-shirt, but the undead B needs to be there in person to scare the kids. Tell them it died street racing. We also need the Homer, and the Toyo-Hog, and the Chotus, and the Airplane, and the Bricklin, and the Nyan Cat car, and the Coyote, and the Devilmaro, the Easy 908, and whatever it was Mike and Gavin were talking about building. You know, this is starting to sound like a SEMA-worthy exhibit.

7. Information sheet, with race factoids, maybe a quiz (How many times around the earth do Lemons car race in a single weekend?, How many times do the tow trucks have to refuel during our races?), even a scavenger hunt (Count the dents in the "Chicken Car").

8. Ballot. Vote for the car they would race, or never in a million years race, would gladly hand over to their ex- in a nasty divorce. Best Sharpie paint job. Etc.

Does anyone have other ideas?

Mike

22 (edited by m610 2016-07-06 11:33 AM)

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

The 2016 show is going to happen. The organizer just contacted me asking if we needed anything. I asked for the courtyard again. Is there anything else I need to ask for?

The date of the show is Oct 21-23 (changed from Oct 14-17).

Let me know if you are interested and I'll make sure you stay in the loop as updates come up.

Mike

23 (edited by m610 2016-07-06 11:28 AM)

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

Several people have already responded. At this time we have:

  1. Tinyvette

  2. ReStart Racing's Ford Ranger

  3. Gavin's Limo/Porsche combo and possibly the Aqua Volvo

  4. Homey Depot

  5. Faster Farms Belvedere

  6. Race Omega

  7. Del Camino

  8. Thunderchicken, Extra Crispy, or Avanti

  9. Scrubby and/or Raisin with Vanagan

  10. Model T GT and/or Pinto

  11. Jagvair

  12. FraidyCat Racing's V12 Jaguar

(I'm adding cars to this list when their owners tell me they are bringing them.)

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

I'll have to update some of the posters. Some, on the other hand, are timeless.

https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12140592_1204069989607156_4451792998172668415_n.jpg?oh=1314c089dc56a59b74eb21b551b503b4&oe=580B252A

Re: Sacramento International Auto Show, Again

I just talked to the wife and we are bringing the Jagvair. Please send me contact information.

'18 PNW-Organizer's Choice '17 PNW-IOE '15 PNW-Judge's Choice '14 PNW-Heroic Fix
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