While the other guys were shooting Dennis To’s RX8 and private meet, I took a trip up north to visit the “Windy City” aka Chicago. A few things I’ve learned about Chicago are 1.) Most people, if not everyone there, are pretty cool and not douche bags *cough*; 2.) Traffic going to downtown is ridiculous at all times of day; 3.) White Castle is overrated but still good at 3 A.M.; 4.) The Chicago style deep dish pizza is not meant for one person… ugh; 5.) The weather can be awesome one day and a tropical storm the next; and finally 6.) I was surprised by the amount of badass cars around the city/state that attended WekFest Chi-town.
Early ass flight from Houston to O'Hare.... 2.5 hrs.
O'Hare is supposably one of the world's busiest airport... looked pretty dead to me at 9AM.
- F*** taxi’s and buses….
I’m taking the mofo’ train! Just because it was cheaper and faster.
- Once I got off the train, I really had no clue where I was so… I just started following people.
- I was actually in the James R. Thompson Center… aka the State building.
- Roamed around downtown and saw this weird statue thing.
- A big ass reflective bean in the middle of the park? Awesome.
- A view of the lake.
After a couple of hours being a tourist, I finally met up my travel buddy from Houston, Tiffany aka TeeTran and Chris Sullivan of CRS Photography. Chris was not only our ride throughout the trip, but a great tour guide around town. Once we settled into our motel I called up Jon Domingo aka JDMoto for some dinner. Of course we had to try Chicago’s deep dish pizza at Gino’s.
- It tasted like a spaghetti pizza… sofaking good.
- Mr. JDMoto
After our dinner we met up with the SEEN IT guys, Greg and Nick, at their hotel in downtown. Nick brought out his K20 Vdubb pickup along with a nice AW E92 M3.
- Read about Nick Weirs’ VW pickup with K20Z1 series motor HERE.
- Nick and Co.
It was a short night of clubbing and getting lost around Chicago, but Tiff and I eventually found ourselves a White Castle at 3AM. No pics of burgers because it was devoured with the quickness. Once we got back to our motel, I pretty much K.O.’d til 8 a.m. That was roll in time and the time we had to be there… for some odd reason.
- Probably one of the nicest and biggest convention centers I’ve been to.
Walking around the convention center was like setting a blind mouse into a maze. Even though we had Chris, a Chicago native, we were still always lost. Good thing we found one of the WekSos guys and pointed us into the right direction.
- Looks like they’re on a mission.
We finally get to the exhibit hall around 9 A.M. and there are about 50 cars getting cleaned up. I took my time walking around scouting cars, taking cell phone pics, and sending them to the Mayday guys back home.
- A very nicely fitted Miata.
JunkHouse had about 20 entries with all high quality rides like this GT3.
By the time I had started snapping, about half of the exhibit hall was filled up. From what I was told, WekFests’ goal was to fill 500 spots, but I think it was going to be hard getting half of that… since it started to rain with about an hour before gates opening.
Instead of having passes or tickets into the show, stamps were used.
It was raining not only sideways, but in all directions.
Rolling in.
The show finally began at 1PM and from what I heard from people that went to WekFestLA, it was crazy packed. I was expecting a line of 5,XXX people waiting outside the door trying to get in. At most, there were probably 200 people waiting in line. This spectatorship reminds me of home, which is not a good thing. I guess this was expected since this was their first show in Chicago. The total number of cars that showed could not have been over 300.
Nick use his VW k30z1 to transport his ruckus.
Seen it?
Alpine white goodness.
Track ready Civics.
Why? Because race car.
This car kinda reminds me of Henry's NSX but in blue.Another rear shot from behind.
Widebody S13 on some Work Meisters.
Pretty sure Linhbergh approves....
Unsure about those shifters though...
If MaydayDavid saw you down the street, he'd prob give you a gay high five in his blue Miata.
From what I heard, there was no Subie award?
Moar Subies...
The Notorious Nova 752 came out to play also...
This 240 by Damon Young took home 3rd for "Stance". Check out more photos of his ride HERE.
We liked it, so we put a sticker on it.
Very nice poopra on TE's.
As you can tell, all he does is eat, sleep, and race.
Special appearance by Michael Burroughs checking out this S13.
People participating in the show didn't really have anywhere else to go, so might as well just sleep in their cars, right?
Found this little guy while his owner was sleeping.
A clean AE86...
Another look from the side... damn.
What was hiding under his hood? An F20C.
Do you guys think it's Fresh?
That's Al, the owner of this Fresh 86.
Michael Jordan brought some of his merchandise and motorsports out to the event. Sadly, he wasn't able to attend.
Fuck yea S14.
Ruckus' were entered into the Honda class competing against other cars... interesting.
A very clean MR2.
- I would’ve kept it all black though.
A crazy looking matte white viper. Fitment on the body work is a bit off though.
David Do approves.
You know some serious shit is going down if you see bandanas in the car.
More JunkHouse..
Interesting color scheme on an E46 M3.
At least we know his bike rack is functional.
That guy's expression says it all...
Deep dish.
Wtf?
TE-37 SL's
Mike Maravilla's E90 M3.
I miss Ameen's Cressida.
Synth's orange NSX definitely caught my eye.
So did Elissa Alva...
and the BombTwinz
I think this was the 5th RX-7 I saw at the show. At this rate, there could've been a class for itself.
There were also tons of EVO's at the show...
like this RHD one.
Another Subie...
Remember how I told you Ruckus' competed in the Honda class? This black SF2 placed 3rd in the Honda Class...
All thanks to this sticker... haha.
One car that everyone crowded around was Fizz Autosports' S15.
Jeezus.
In Texas, you would prob see about 20 Supra's in a show, but there were only about 3 that showed in Chicago.
Canibeat had a good sales booth going on. From stickers to lanyards, they had it all.
And so did JDMChicago!
Of course Miss Alva was also hustlin'.
Michael Burroughs of StanceWorks was in town for the weekend so he stopped by to check out the show.
Kevin from Bowls L.A. hooking it up with stickers.
I think this was when everyone was throwing their hands up... or they were just give high fives to each other.
He knew I was taking a picture so he posed.
All I can say is subscribe to PASMAG.. jk.
TJin's Ford Fiesta
A view of the venue from the NOS stage/club/lounge/whatever it was.
How did spectators kill time during the show? Street Fighter.
One guy got really bored and busted out his Drift RC.
Low is definitely a lifestyle now...
Why? Because racecar.
One side neon green...
And the other side neon orange.
Never seen a RHD TSX before... not my cup of tea but the wheels look good.
First person POV video.
I think we've all seen this car on the internet... I kinda like the kit. It's different.
I love goldddd.
This guy was all about cleanliness of his car. Each time I took a shot, he wiped it down some more.
This matte red GTI really popped out.
TopSpeed's booth had quite a collection of GTR's.
JDMChicago sells womens apparel... jussayin'.
JDMoto reppin' Standard Functions.
East, sleep, and race booth had tons of products.
The Honda scene is strong in the midwest.
But the photographers' stance needs work.
I’ve only been to a handful of shows but WekFest Chicago had a decent amount of cars showing with not many more than a few hundred to a thousand spectators. I believe their next show in Dallas will be comparable and may be even a little better. We’ll just have to wait and see.
The day after WekFest we took a trip around town. I just looked around for things to shoot on the street so here’s a couple of snaps….
Passed by this Veyron in the street....
It pretty much got raped.
I spotted a very nicely fitted E90 M3 right in front of the Marilyn Monroe statue so I ran across the intersection to get this shot.
We don't see many of these rolling around the streets of our downtown...
Of course when you get into Chinatown, you're expected to find rice.
Good rice.
Thanks TeeTran....
Special thanks to Kenneth from WekSos for allowing us into the venue at 9 A.M., Tiffany “TeeTran” for the ‘surprise’ on our trip, and Chris Sullivan for being our travel guide and driver.
-Danh-
dphan@maydaygarage.com