The last of three monthly, summer car shows took place on Friday, August 14, 2015, at DQ Grill & Chill, 200 N. Sawyer Road, Morrison, IL, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. These informal, drive-in car-truck-cycle shows are organized by Ron Weimer and his many assistants.
The Big Fall Show “averages 80 cars each September,” Weimer said. “There will be trophies awarded to everybody and door prizes.” Set for Sunday, September 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., the big show is “always fun, always free.” Call Weimer at 815-718-5409 for information.
Each month, DQ Grill & Chill owners Bart and Ellen Smith offer space for people to park their various modes of transportation. Anyone can enter anything with wheels: cars, trucks, motorcycles, vans, tractors, and ATV’s. There is no registration fee.
The only “requirement” is just show up and show off whatever you like to drive. Loren Coate of Erie, IL, did. This retired Erie Middle School educator drove his 1969 Camaro. He has owned the vehicle four years. Coate finished restoration that was begun on the former race car of 25 years ago.
He installed a full roll cage and sidebars in the two-seater, and “Pro-Street,” wide back tires.
“I drive it quite a lot,” he stated. That includes racing at the quarter-mile track at Cordova, IL, International Raceway. He finishes in the “high tens,” he said, meaning the Camaro takes between ten and 11 seconds to reach the quarter mile. Coate also attends “some shows.”
