HIN Chicago 2008 recap - HondaClub.com

**Neil** · 05-14-2008, 10:51 PM

Ok, so, here is basically my rendition of the events of May 10, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.

Saturday we all start moving as James' alarm and my alarm start going off, one right after the other. We had a time we wanted to be at the event. Said time was 11am. Well, we got there around 1:30pm. That's what some of here like to refer to as, "Neil Time." Know it, learn it, study it. It WILL become a part of your everyday life when dealing with myself and Autotechniques! haha

Anyways, vehicles were all ready in the venue from the night before (which is a whole nother story in itself!). So, Jake, James, Dylan, and myself all roll up in my (my wife's) Honda Pilot. There is a line of cars that did not make roll-in the day before that were trying to get in (and, against what was stated in the rules during registration, got in just fine) so I went around everyone and parked on the side next to a wall of the parking structure. I ran over to this dude with his hat ****ed and asked, "this is my "support" vehicle and after the show we are going to be loading all of our stuff into it. Should we park it in General parking, or can we leave it up here?"
Asian dude with a lisp:"Yeah, it's cool, just park it right where you're at. That'd be alright."
Neil:"thanks!"
So, we grab our things and venture into the event. There were some amazing cars, and as always, some crappy cars. But as far as HIN events go, this was one of the better that I've been to. However, the night did seem to drag on, and on, and on. We got down to about 11pm. One hour from awards time. Jake decides that, before things get too crazy during roll-out, he would take some things out to the Pilot.
Shortly after Jake disappeared, my phone rings. Mind you, there is so much musi........noise, that you have to shout to talk to the person next you (which is why i don't have a voice today). So without hearing what Jake was saying, I just yelled, "hold on! Let me get somewhere quieter!"
So, I make my way towards the outer garage/dock area of the venue. Once through the door Jake says, "Dude the f--king Pilot is GONE!"
I respond with, "yeah right. just like the other day when you were messin with me on the phone."
He says, "no. I'm dead f--kin serious. It's not here.....anywhere."
I hang up without saying good-bye and run to the door. I'm thinking that someone broke in and stole it. Which, to me, didn't make any sense because there were a lot more desirable cars sitting out there. HIN employees cars, rentals, Vendors cars/trailers/trucks, and more. ALL TOWED! There wasn't one car left out there. So, I was a bit relieved to see that it wasn't the only one, but then twice as pissed because the GAWD **** CAR WASN"T THERE!
Jake was talking to some antique of a security guard whom I just stormed right past and ignored while he tried to figure out how to turn his walkie talkie on. I proceeded into the venue and was searching for HIN employees. Mind you, we are working on 11:15-ish pm right now. Trophies at midnight.
I get all the way to the front gate, and find a security guy. He was just ticket sales. He points me to a couple of goomba's dressed in security officer clothes and I explained what happened to them. They pointed me towards yet another security guy who was an even bigger goomba! While talking to him, a little dude wearing a HIN shirt and carrying a radio butted in and asked what was up. I then started over, and explained it to him. Half way through my explination goomba number 3 tells the HIN dude to just shut up..............uh, ok. He then tells me to go to goomba's number one, and two again. I said I just did that. He then tells me to go the security phone and dial 6060.
"What the f--k is the security phone and who am I calling?" I asked. Barely hanging on to my sanity at this point dealing with these miscreants of humanity. So, I grab the beloved security phone and dial 6060. Some lady on the other end wants to help me. I tell her the story about the goomba's and all that and my car being towed and she tells me who towed it. "OK, and what the f--k and I supposed to do with that information?" Then explain to her that I don't know who that is, or where they are, and I still don't know where my (my wife's) car is. Yeah, I'm a bit tweeked right now and can only think of maybe finding that lispy little sh-t that said I could park there. If couldn't do anything, I would make **** sure that he could take to someone who could.
He was useless once I found him. Total dufus. He told me I needed to find "Ray Ray." Right. Another goomba I assume? Well, can't find "Ray Ray." So, I decide to at least call the towing company and find out if they even have my car at this point. They do. It's $170 for the towing. Yup, I'm beyond keeping my cool at this point.
The dufus finds me at my car shortly after and tells us that apparently the Security for the building had them towed, even though the staff for HIN told us to park there. So who is to blame? Dufus won't fess up to anything. So I ask, "where's Ray Ray?" He says, IDK. worthless.
Then Jake returns again after trying to take things up to the room which was attached to the hotel.
"The key didn't work. I got frisked by 3 big security guards. And they won't give me a new key cause the room isn't registered in my name."
God.......why do you hate me so?
Alright, gimmie the keys. I'll be RIGHT BACK. If roll-out happens, don't go any further out that door than you have to!
I fast walk through the crowd, and out into the hall once again. I quickly get the cards re-swiped at the desk, and return to the previous bowl of sh-t that was served up for the evening.
Ah, the main course.
After giving Jake the room keys back, I see a line of guys by the main stage collecting their trophies. F--K! I missed awards. Ah, whatever. I'm not gonna win anything at HIN anyways. BUT, if I am going to find HIN staffers, it's gonna be behind the curtain that leads back stage. So, I proceed through the curtain and through the rope they had set up. 3 guys rush me and tell me I can't be back there.
"Yeah, well I want "Ray Ray" to tell me that."
Then "Ray Ray" finally shows himself.
I'm Ray, what do you need?
Dude, we got an issue and I'm told you can help.
I explain the situation and he then directs me to a VIP elevator and gives me a floor and room number. So, here I go again.
Time: 11:55pm.
I enter the room and there is a grey haired lady and a funny looking dude wearing a HIN shirt like the staffers.
Uh, can I help you?
Gawd I hope so! I had my "support vehicle" parked out by the loading docks and it got towed.
Oh, yeah, we had a bunch of cars get towed from back there. Real sorry about that.
Yeah, well I appreciate that, but "real sorry" doesn't cover the $170 for the tow bill. It might not be your fault, but somebody is paying that bill, and you are going to help me find that somebody.
Well, security is the ones that towed it, did you talk to them.
Yes, and I am now dumber for doing so. Look, YOUR guy told me to park there, he said it was ok.
Well, he doesn't have the authority to make that call.
Well, he did. So I"m here asking you, what avenue should I take now do you think?
Then some other dude pokes his head in and says, "I can comp you 2 tickets to the next HIN show here in Chicago in August."
Dude, I am not doing another HIN show if they are going to be as f--ked up as this one has been.
Well, they're $55 a piece, that's $110 bucks!
OK, it's still not $170. Which, mind you, I wouldn't be paying if it wasn't for YOUR staff. Now i'm getting my $170, somehow, someway.
Then the first dude says, look, here is all my contact info. Send me your mailing info and i'll get you your money.
Well I sure hope so. Otherise I wouldn't bother coming to the midwest again.
Oh, we don't plan on doing Chicago anymore after this year. These people are ridiculous!
So, I go jump in the CRX and head into downtown Chicago at 1:45 in the morning in search of my (my wife's) Pilot.
We got it back, and finally got back to the hotel. Passed out around 4am.
The only good news we found out today, is that I may have gotten 2nd place JDM OEM. I have not confirmed it yet through HIN, but will be in contact with my buddy tomorrow so I can ask him then. Try to get them to mail my trophy to me if that's the case.

Sorry for the read, I just had to vent.

Here are some of my pics:
nchittendon/HIN Chicago 2008 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

**Neil** · 05-14-2008, 10:53 PM

Oh, and it's confirmed, I got 2nd Place JDM OEM:

**8695Beaters** · 05-15-2008, 06:46 AM

Cool stuff. Congrats on the award. Too bad about the car. At SAE our shop is at the back of a loading dock. And when we have our cars there, we all usually park behind the dock because it's easier than driving around to a meter or any of the spaces thst are around the building. And if we need to move, we leave the shop door open so Public Safety can find us. One day over Spring Break, 3 of us were parked out back. We were all in hte machine shop which is right next door (and was open. You could hear and see us inside). We step out- 3 cars with tickets. $30 each. ****. The next day I had my car on the street, and I needed to move it before the meter expired. So I pulled it around back, becuase we only had like 5 minutes before lunch. So I step into the shop again and 2 minutes later, Public Safety is writing me another ticket! I ran down and told him I was leaving. He believed me until I ran up the dock to get my stuff. Then he got all pissed. I was able to talk my way out of it, but dude, lighten up already! It was 2 friggin minutes! I hate those guys. I'm constantly dodging them on my bike. They're worse than real cops.

**PrimeTimeV6** · 05-15-2008, 03:45 PM

Congratulations on the win.

**Tomas** · 05-15-2008, 05:18 PM

awesome win, Neil!

**Neil** · 05-15-2008, 07:12 PM

thanks guys. Never thought it would happen. haha

**8695Beaters** · 05-15-2008, 07:20 PM

Hey, it's a selling point on the car. I saw the pics, it looked really good. One of the few cars I would actually pay attention to (for me go = show).

**jembr325** · 05-15-2008, 08:31 PM

Hey buddy Congrats!

Drop me a line next time you are in Chi. I didn't realize there was a show!

Peace!

**HondaME** · 05-16-2008, 04:20 PM

hey Neil, congrats!

**DriftMaster** · 05-24-2008, 10:03 AM

That's freeking awsome! Nice win!!

05-14-2008, 10:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Neil Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin United States Posts: 251	HIN Chicago 2008 recap Ok, so, here is basically my rendition of the events of May 10, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Saturday we all start moving as James' alarm and my alarm start going off, one right after the other. We had a time we wanted to be at the event. Said time was 11am. Well, we got there around 1:30pm. That's what some of here like to refer to as, "Neil Time." Know it, learn it, study it. It WILL become a part of your everyday life when dealing with myself and Autotechniques! haha Anyways, vehicles were all ready in the venue from the night before (which is a whole nother story in itself!). So, Jake, James, Dylan, and myself all roll up in my (my wife's) Honda Pilot. There is a line of cars that did not make roll-in the day before that were trying to get in (and, against what was stated in the rules during registration, got in just fine) so I went around everyone and parked on the side next to a wall of the parking structure. I ran over to this dude with his hat **ed and asked, "this is my "support" vehicle and after the show we are going to be loading all of our stuff into it. Should we park it in General parking, or can we leave it up here?" Asian dude with a lisp:"Yeah, it's cool, just park it right where you're at. That'd be alright." Neil:"thanks!" So, we grab our things and venture into the event. There were some amazing cars, and as always, some crappy cars. But as far as HIN events go, this was one of the better that I've been to. However, the night did seem to drag on, and on, and on. We got down to about 11pm. One hour from awards time. Jake decides that, before things get too crazy during roll-out, he would take some things out to the Pilot. Shortly after Jake disappeared, my phone rings. Mind you, there is so much musi........noise, that you have to shout to talk to the person next you (which is why i don't have a voice today). So without hearing what Jake was saying, I just yelled, "hold on! Let me get somewhere quieter!" So, I make my way towards the outer garage/dock area of the venue. Once through the door Jake says, "Dude the f--king Pilot is GONE!" I respond with, "yeah right. just like the other day when you were messin with me on the phone." He says, "no. I'm dead f--kin serious. It's not here.....anywhere." I hang up without saying good-bye and run to the door. I'm thinking that someone broke in and stole it. Which, to me, didn't make any sense because there were a lot more desirable cars sitting out there. HIN employees cars, rentals, Vendors cars/trailers/trucks, and more. ALL TOWED! There wasn't one car left out there. So, I was a bit relieved to see that it wasn't the only one, but then twice as pissed because the GAWD CAR WASN"T THERE! Jake was talking to some antique of a security guard whom I just stormed right past and ignored while he tried to figure out how to turn his walkie talkie on. I proceeded into the venue and was searching for HIN employees. Mind you, we are working on 11:15-ish pm right now. Trophies at midnight. I get all the way to the front gate, and find a security guy. He was just ticket sales. He points me to a couple of goomba's dressed in security officer clothes and I explained what happened to them. They pointed me towards yet another security guy who was an even bigger goomba! While talking to him, a little dude wearing a HIN shirt and carrying a radio butted in and asked what was up. I then started over, and explained it to him. Half way through my explination goomba number 3 tells the HIN dude to just shut up..............uh, ok. He then tells me to go to goomba's number one, and two again. I said I just did that. He then tells me to go the security phone and dial 6060. "What the f--k is the security phone and who am I calling?" I asked. Barely hanging on to my sanity at this point dealing with these miscreants of humanity. So, I grab the beloved security phone and dial 6060. Some lady on the other end wants to help me. I tell her the story about the goomba's and all that and my car being towed and she tells me who towed it. "OK, and what the f--k and I supposed to do with that information?" Then explain to her that I don't know who that is, or where they are, and I still don't know where my (my wife's) car is. Yeah, I'm a bit tweeked right now and can only think of maybe finding that lispy little sh-t that said I could park there. If couldn't do anything, I would make ** sure that he could take to someone who could. He was useless once I found him. Total dufus. He told me I needed to find "Ray Ray." Right. Another goomba I assume? Well, can't find "Ray Ray." So, I decide to at least call the towing company and find out if they even have my car at this point. They do. It's $170 for the towing. Yup, I'm beyond keeping my cool at this point. The dufus finds me at my car shortly after and tells us that apparently the Security for the building had them towed, even though the staff for HIN told us to park there. So who is to blame? Dufus won't fess up to anything. So I ask, "where's Ray Ray?" He says, IDK. worthless. Then Jake returns again after trying to take things up to the room which was attached to the hotel. "The key didn't work. I got frisked by 3 big security guards. And they won't give me a new key cause the room isn't registered in my name." God.......why do you hate me so? Alright, gimmie the keys. I'll be RIGHT BACK. If roll-out happens, don't go any further out that door than you have to! I fast walk through the crowd, and out into the hall once again. I quickly get the cards re-swiped at the desk, and return to the previous bowl of sh-t that was served up for the evening. Ah, the main course. After giving Jake the room keys back, I see a line of guys by the main stage collecting their trophies. F--K! I missed awards. Ah, whatever. I'm not gonna win anything at HIN anyways. BUT, if I am going to find HIN staffers, it's gonna be behind the curtain that leads back stage. So, I proceed through the curtain and through the rope they had set up. 3 guys rush me and tell me I can't be back there. "Yeah, well I want "Ray Ray" to tell me that." Then "Ray Ray" finally shows himself. I'm Ray, what do you need? Dude, we got an issue and I'm told you can help. I explain the situation and he then directs me to a VIP elevator and gives me a floor and room number. So, here I go again. Time: 11:55pm. I enter the room and there is a grey haired lady and a funny looking dude wearing a HIN shirt like the staffers. Uh, can I help you? Gawd I hope so! I had my "support vehicle" parked out by the loading docks and it got towed. Oh, yeah, we had a bunch of cars get towed from back there. Real sorry about that. Yeah, well I appreciate that, but "real sorry" doesn't cover the $170 for the tow bill. It might not be your fault, but somebody is paying that bill, and you are going to help me find that somebody. Well, security is the ones that towed it, did you talk to them. Yes, and I am now dumber for doing so. Look, YOUR guy told me to park there, he said it was ok. Well, he doesn't have the authority to make that call. Well, he did. So I"m here asking you, what avenue should I take now do you think? Then some other dude pokes his head in and says, "I can comp you 2 tickets to the next HIN show here in Chicago in August." Dude, I am not doing another HIN show if they are going to be as f--ked up as this one has been. Well, they're $55 a piece, that's $110 bucks! OK, it's still not $170. Which, mind you, I wouldn't be paying if it wasn't for YOUR staff. Now i'm getting my $170, somehow, someway. Then the first dude says, look, here is all my contact info. Send me your mailing info and i'll get you your money. Well I sure hope so. Otherise I wouldn't bother coming to the midwest again. Oh, we don't plan on doing Chicago anymore after this year. These people are ridiculous! So, I go jump in the CRX and head into downtown Chicago at 1:45 in the morning in search of my (my wife's) Pilot. We got it back, and finally got back to the hotel. Passed out around 4am. The only good news we found out today, is that I may have gotten 2nd place JDM OEM. I have not confirmed it yet through HIN, but will be in contact with my buddy tomorrow so I can ask him then. Try to get them to mail my trophy to me if that's the case. Sorry for the read, I just had to vent. Here are some of my pics: nchittendon/HIN Chicago 2008 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting __________________ Marine Snipers : America's number one long distance service provider. EF Squad member #46 www.autotechniques.org Club President

05-14-2008, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Neil Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin United States Posts: 251	Oh, and it's confirmed, I got 2nd Place JDM OEM: __________________ Marine Snipers : America's number one long distance service provider. EF Squad member #46 www.autotechniques.org Club President

05-15-2008, 06:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
8695Beaters Headbanger Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wilmington, Delaware United States Posts: 1,526	Cool stuff. Congrats on the award. Too bad about the car. At SAE our shop is at the back of a loading dock. And when we have our cars there, we all usually park behind the dock because it's easier than driving around to a meter or any of the spaces thst are around the building. And if we need to move, we leave the shop door open so Public Safety can find us. One day over Spring Break, 3 of us were parked out back. We were all in hte machine shop which is right next door (and was open. You could hear and see us inside). We step out- 3 cars with tickets. $30 each. ****. The next day I had my car on the street, and I needed to move it before the meter expired. So I pulled it around back, becuase we only had like 5 minutes before lunch. So I step into the shop again and 2 minutes later, Public Safety is writing me another ticket! I ran down and told him I was leaving. He believed me until I ran up the dock to get my stuff. Then he got all pissed. I was able to talk my way out of it, but dude, lighten up already! It was 2 friggin minutes! I hate those guys. I'm constantly dodging them on my bike. They're worse than real cops. __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

05-15-2008, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
PrimeTimeV6 Built Not Bought! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana United States Posts: 2,346	Congratulations on the win. __________________ Personal....www.myspace.com/brandonkupihea HondaClub....www.myspace.com/hondaclubdotcom PrimeTimePerformance....www.myspace.com/primetimeperformance

05-15-2008, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tomas HondaClub Owner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, Texas United States Posts: 377	awesome win, Neil! __________________

05-15-2008, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Neil Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin United States Posts: 251	thanks guys. Never thought it would happen. haha __________________ Marine Snipers : America's number one long distance service provider. EF Squad member #46 www.autotechniques.org Club President

05-15-2008, 07:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
8695Beaters Headbanger Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wilmington, Delaware United States Posts: 1,526	Hey, it's a selling point on the car. I saw the pics, it looked really good. One of the few cars I would actually pay attention to (for me go = show). __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

05-15-2008, 08:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
jembr325 Smooth Operata Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, Illinois United States Posts: 420	Hey buddy Congrats! Drop me a line next time you are in Chi. I didn't realize there was a show! Peace! __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” -- Hemingway MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/s2k2dreams

05-16-2008, 04:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
HondaME HondaClub President Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, Texas United States Posts: 1,070	hey Neil, congrats! __________________ only thing better than a joy ride is free gas !!!

05-24-2008, 10:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
DriftMaster All rattle, no roar. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Shediac, New Brunswick Canada Posts: 1,127	That's freeking awsome! Nice win!! __________________ 92 Honda Accord [Drag Project] CB7 Reppin' Yo 17.59 @ 79.09mph 2.65 @ 60ft Racing is not an addiction, it's a lifestyle choice.

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