Soldier Field
I had not been to Hot Import Nights in three years because of bad experiences. The show was typically indoors with poor lighting and cars packed closer together than a downtown parking lot. Things were much different this year though.
The first difference was that instead of McCormick place, this show was in the Soldier Field parking lot. The indoor, poorly lit show was now wide open and bright (as long as the sun was up). The Hot Import Nights lived up to it's name with 90°+ temperatures, hundreds of modified imports, and the show ran well in to the night.
The seven hours that this "Nightshift" lasted aren't ones that most people would volunteer for, but the car enthusiasts were still there in hopes of placing in one of the many categories. There were also many other things to watch besides all of the pampered cars. McKinney Motorsports and Dunlop brought drift cars out to show off for the crowds. Recording artists like the Yin-Yang Twins and T-Pain were also on hand to perform on stage. Chevrolet even set up an autocross course to let people take a Cobalt SS out for a spin.
Highlights:
- Skylines were out in full force for HIN '06. The Signal R34 Skyline GT-R was back in Chicago for this show. The blue R34 Syline GT-R from Washington was probably the best looking GT-R I have ever seen (ever). The yellow Skyline GT I saw there seems like it is new to the circuit, but still looked very nice.
- I ran into an old Altima owner at the show. Rich now owns a silver Subaru Impreza with a lot of Cobb parts.
- This blue VW GTI that Fuzion had on display was simply amazing.
- The silver 350Z with the full kit was one of my favorites of the show.
- Megan Honda S2000 drifting
- Wide-body Subaru Impreza WRX
- AMS Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- Dunlop S14 Nissan 240SX drifting
- Toyota Camry with Two-tone paintjob
- Aston Martin DB9
- Dunlop S13 240SX drifting
- Nissan 240SXs drifting
- Cobalt SS at autocross course
