Bloomington Gold
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 87
From: Bismarck IL.
Bloomington Gold
What does the C3 section think of the Bloomington Gold moving to Champaign.Personally I like it because it will be 45 miles from my house.Other reasons it might revive the show,better road tour and a less conjested area.Really looking foward to the move.What does everybody think? Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,235
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I suspect the objective is to grow the show, copy the "small town" feel of Carlisle but the economy is still the economy and will impact hobby events whether they are in big towns, small town, or in Bloomington.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I've followed Bloomington to all it's locations over it's history.
I think energy was spent on finding and getting the locations to work that would have been better spent on what the event itself consisted of. Lack of focus?
Regards
Alan
I've followed Bloomington to all it's locations over it's history.
I think energy was spent on finding and getting the locations to work that would have been better spent on what the event itself consisted of. Lack of focus?
Regards
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'm sure cost has something to do with their decision. To take over Pheasant Run for that long has to cost a fortune. You could probably buy Campaign for the cost of renting Pheasant Run.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
BG vendors and the swap meet have suffered because of the economy and ebay, so they are not much of a draw IMO.
It will be interesting to see if BG is going to change anything, or if they are just moving the auction to a less expensive venue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
I think it's a good move, but a bit of a risk. I don't have a long history with the show--I've only been going since 2007--but I've always managed to spend a good day there with my son and father-in-law (he has a nice '95 convertible) without paying much attention to the auction. I doubt the auction is going away (Mecum owns Bloomington Gold) but they are obviously trying to do something different with the show.
Champaign is a great town, and the resurrection of the Road Tours will be reason enough for me to drive down there, but as has been mentioned, the economy is still suffering and they are trading a population of 8 million people in Chicago and the western corridor for a population of 230,000 in the Champaign-Urbana area. After 10 years in St Charles--140 miles away--it will be interesting to see how the show does in its first year in Champaign.
Champaign is a great town, and the resurrection of the Road Tours will be reason enough for me to drive down there, but as has been mentioned, the economy is still suffering and they are trading a population of 8 million people in Chicago and the western corridor for a population of 230,000 in the Champaign-Urbana area. After 10 years in St Charles--140 miles away--it will be interesting to see how the show does in its first year in Champaign.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,427
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
....I loved BG in Springfield, IL. Loved the "after show hours" boulevard cruising that went on plus the Road Tours....I felt Springfield LOVED having us as their guests.
...did the last two years it was at the old McClean Co. Fairgrounds and all years at Springfield. I plan on taking my '74 for "Survivor" in 2014.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 477
From: NM
....I loved BG in Springfield, IL. Loved the "after show hours" boulevard cruising that went on plus the Road Tours....I felt Springfield LOVED having us as their guests.
...did the last two years it was at the old McClean Co. Fairgrounds and all years at Springfield. I plan on taking my '74 for "Survivor" in 2014.
I like what the mayor of Champaign had to say...
“Even Corvette owners know we don't always do things by the books in Champaign, but for Guinness we'll make an exception," noted Champaign Mayor Don Gerard in regard to an impending World Record. “Downtown Champaign will be the final destination for the Bloomington Gold Road Tour and we'll have food, entertainment and a whole lot of fun waiting for the*Cavalcade*of Corvettes."
Reminds me of the street dance that Springfield hosted
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
The last time I was at Bloomington was in 1976, of course at the original fair grounds location. I should have some pictures somewhere. 
Even then, the auction was a big, big item, there was also a show and sell area and of course lots of vendors. Different world back then, no internet, no cell phones, not even beepers.
Other than word of mouth, hot rod magazines and newspapers, it was a gold mine for used parts. Michaelis at the time was sending out little flyers with parts once a month or so. You could buy a brand new Holley double pumper for around 50 bucks.
You can't bring back time, but attendance will probably increase with a more rural atmosphere closer to a fun reunion than a herded business.
Even then, the auction was a big, big item, there was also a show and sell area and of course lots of vendors. Different world back then, no internet, no cell phones, not even beepers.
Other than word of mouth, hot rod magazines and newspapers, it was a gold mine for used parts. Michaelis at the time was sending out little flyers with parts once a month or so. You could buy a brand new Holley double pumper for around 50 bucks.
You can't bring back time, but attendance will probably increase with a more rural atmosphere closer to a fun reunion than a herded business.
