(Photos by Greg Rourke) – This is a bit of a rare occurrence on BangShift as we’re featuring the work of Greg Rourke singularly. Normally he and Bob Chiluk, our pair of “Chi-Town Hustlers” dive bomb events together but today is Greg’s day to have the stage. Bob will have his turn in the days ahead. Anyway, in this collection of photos you’ll see what makes Greg such an awesome contributor here at BangShift. For one it is his diversity of interests in things mechanical. From nitro burning modern funny cars to vintage gassers and door slammers, to massive Earth crushing steam tractors, Greg’s “likes” are right in the wheelhouse with the majority of BangShifters out there. His passion comes through in the photos. He clearly understands what he is shooting and we dig that.
Bob and Greg have been friends since childhood and we think that it completely and utterly rules that the two of them continue to pal around today. We’ve failed BIG TIME to take Greg up on his offer for a full tilt dinner at an authentic Wisconsin Supper Club but we know that there’s ice drags out there and we know that it would make a bitchin’ story to attend them this winter so we’re hoping the offer is still on the table. We may not be good at many things, but we’re world class at eating around here.
A hearty thanks for Greg Rourke for his submissions in 2013. He’s a talented guy that we’re honored to have sharing this work here on BangShift. We know you’ll dig the below photos!
ENOUGH GUSHING ALREADY…..SCROLL DOWN TO SEE GREG’S PHOTOS ALONG WITH HIS CAPTIONS!
The 60th World Series at Cordova.
From the Heidts Performance Car Challenge at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Il.
Bob and Big discuss drag racing and their tiny battery operated dogs. Bob and I are just a couple of jokers with cameras, but being with BangShift lets you wander over to a legend and sit in his lawn chair.
The 60th World Series at Cordova. This is the NHRA star driver Tim Wilkerson getting some.
Nothing like fenderwell headers on a big block 69 Dart. Earlville, Il. Cruise Night.
We love the Hunnert Car Heads Up at Union Grove. Here’s Eric Koopmeiners in his real deal gasser. He’s also president of the Meltdown Drags.
The Haymaker made its debut.
Soup Grape sounded sweet.
Coronet launched hard and the motor came apart by 60 feet. Parts and fluids dumping, and the car missed both guardrails by inches.
Optima Challenge at Road America was announced by some guy with a beard. Here a Camaro goes into the kitty litter at Canada Corner.
Great variety of stuff running at Road America
The Ridetech ’33 ALWAYS puts on a good show!
The guys running this pickup on January 1 at Cordova said they would do something spectacular to get on BangShift. I don’t think launching a tire and axle over the guardrail was what they had in mind.
Badass LS powered 58 Volvo Duett. Nothing on this car wasn’t massaged. At the Street Machine Nationals triumphant return to DuQuoin.
Photographer down! Actually it’s just Bob getting the shot. I’ve seen him lay down on the track next to the burnout box to get the shot he wants.
Meltdown Drags at Byron. The city fathers agreed to look the other way and allow race cars to drive the 5 miles from the track to the drive in, IF everyone behaved themselves. Mike Bilina informed us he was prepared to ruin it for everyone but found he hurt the motor during previous shenanigans. When he fired up to leave the restaurant, everyone ran to the street, ready to see him on the bumper. Maybe next year.
Yes, Quain Stott motored down Il. Route 2 to get a burger.
Pure perfection from the Meltdown Drags.
More from the Meltdown. Quain Stott’s nephew Donovan, and Ted Beach in his restored race car from the 70’s.
For a slower pace I like the Threshing Bee in Sycamore, Il. Full of antique gasoline, hit and miss and steam engines.
(Don’t tell Greg I said this but WOW, this could be my favorite single photo we ran on BangShift from anyone in 2013).
Is that a sled pulling locomotive?
This is a steam traction engine! It is virtually a steam locomotive used for plowing and running threshing machines on farms back around the turn of the last century! Cool, huh?!
Great shots again this year, Greg! Always liked your variety.
Sweet!
Woo Hoo I made the gallery !!
Okay… I’m the red Scout 6 cars deep at Sam’s Drive-in and Mike’s 56 was the whole point of the pic but what the hell… I’m tell’n everyone I made Bangshift !!!
awesome work !
Great pictures, good job!
I always look forward to Greg’s stuff, he never disappoints! Hopefully we will be able cross paths one of these day…