I have been a huge fan of the Dells Automotion Car Show for the past 15 years, starting in 2005. Over the years, I showed several different classic cars, and won awards with my cars on three different years. But, in my opinion, the quality of this show started changing when the Dells Visitor Convention group took over the leadership role, and the car clubs were relegated to a behind the scene role. Now that the show has moved away from Noahs Ark, I suspect even bigger changes are in store for this year’s show. These changes may be for the better – only time will tell. I do know that it will takes several years to work out all the glitches and problems and conflicts that will occur, so patience will be required, from all sides.
I no longer own a classic car, so I am not taking sides in this ongoing dispute about old versus new or them versus us. I do know that over the years, great car shows have come and gone, and new ones have popped up and become better each year. For example, I would point out the ProClip USA Car Show, the Brat Fest Classic Car Show, and others.
The WCEC (Wisconsin Car Enthusiasts Club) posted a response, in defense of their position, and have posted it to their page on FB. If you are interested, here is their response.
OFFICIAL AUTOMOTION INFORMATION POST
As many of you know, Automotion and Wisconsin Modified have been a long standing tradition for WCEC. We have been honored to bring you the Wisconsin Modified show since 2015. Over the last 2-3 years, both the City of Wisconsin Dells and Village of Lake Delton have continued to become more stringent regarding the application and permitting process for shows during the Automotion weekend. Wisconsin Car Enthusiast Club has continued to invest both time and resources into assisting both municipalities with the Automotion Weekend events.
On Monday, January 27th, 2020 myself and other members of the WCEC staff attended a meeting of the Village of Lake Delton town board regarding the application for a event permit for the Wisconsin Modified event. Our hopeful intention was to facilitate open discussion regarding the events of the weekend and how we could continue to improve the weekend for everyone involved. Unfortunately, the Village board had no room to sway, and ultimately denied the event permit for May 16th, 2020.
This is not something that is new to us. We have worked with the city for over 5 years to host this show and work through similar decisions like this one. Often times over the last 5 years WCEC has been one of the few to be present during these meetings. For reference, we were one of 4 total groups present for the open discussion in 2019 to discuss how to improve the Automotion weekend. The collaboration between the city and our organization has allowed us to help keep cars off the street, host a fun event, make local charitable donations to both food pantries, school drives, and more. These meetings have also allowed WCEC to be an ambassador for all automotive enthusiasts that don’t fit the criteria of the Automotion Classic Car Show. However, the issues that the city see’s during the weekend has officially surpassed the solutions that WCEC, and other shows have attempted to fix. This decision has been passed to all events at this time, not only ours.
At this time, this means that Wisconsin Modified is on hold as we explore additional avenues or opportunities for all of you. Whether that be continuing to work with the city and collaborate within the local space or elsewhere. As we move forward, we will continue to keep you up to date on any and all event changes.
Please note: We will continue to work with both local municipalities and car clubs to find alternative solutions that are mutually beneficial, just as we have in years prior. WCEC has, and will continue to, push the envelope to bridge the gap between local municipalities and organizations like ours that bring shows to the greater Dells area during the Automotion Weekend.
We would like to formally thank everyone for their support of both WCEC and Wisconsin Modified over the years.
Simply put, we just want to help bring people together. That’s what this started as, and that is what we will continue to fight for. Not just in the Dells, but all across Wisconsin and for all enthusiasts.
-The WCEC Event Staff
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This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by Gunner.