First Look: O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels

The Kurman Communications team was lucky enough to organize today’s media preview of the 48^th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. (5555 N. River Rd.) The show opened to the public this afternoon at 3 p.m., and runs through Sunday, Mar. 7. It’s the first time the show has been held at the Stephens Convention Center, and what a change! It’s nearly twice the amount of space as previous shows, which means more custom cars, cycles and booths for you to browse.

Check out some of the cars and cycles that are at this year’s show:

Tickets are still available for World of Wheels! Admission is $16 for adults and $5 for children 6-12. There is no admission fee for children five and under. Pick up tickets at the door, or at a discounted price at Chicago area O’Reilly Auto Parts locations. Show hours are 3 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.worldofwheels.com or follow us on Twitter: @WorldofWheelsIL. Check out a larger view of the photo here: http://bit.ly/baJgYb

O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Featured in Southtown Star and WGN-TV

In case you missed it, the 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels was featured during WGN-TV’s Midday News and highlighted in the Southtown Star. Check out a clip of Larry Way showing WGN anchor Steve Sanders the Summit Racing Series car, a 2,500 horsepower auto!

See the Summit Racing Series car and much more at this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show, taking place March 5-7, 2010 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.). The event hours are Friday, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are still available! Purchase tickets at the door or buy discount pre-sale tickets at O’Reilly Auto Parts locations. For more information, visit www.worldofwheels.com.

O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels this weekend, March 5-7 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Regular admission to the 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels can be purchased for $16 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and children five and under are free.

Discount tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels are available at Chicagoland O’Reilly Auto Parts retailers. Regular adult admission is $14 and children’s admission is $4 if purchased in advance at O’Reilly Auto Parts. To see where the nearest O’Reilly retailer is, please visit www.oreillyauto.com.

Listen live to “The Kevin Moore Show” on WJJG-AM Thursday, March 4 to hear Kevin chat with Pete Toundas about what to expect at the March 5-7 show, including what celebrities will be there. “The Kevin Moore Show” runs weekly on Thursdays from 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

Tune in to WGN TV’s Midday News on Thursday, March 4 for a sneak peek at the custom car show as very special NHRA racecar will be live in studio revving its engine as Championship Auto Show rep Bob Millard talks cars with the WGN crew.

The 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels held March 5-7, 2010 at its new location, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.), is positioned to be the largest show in the event’s long running history. This year’s show, presented by Denny Guest’s South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep and produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc. hosts 500 of the country’s best custom and restored cars. The show is open 3 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 5; 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, March 7.

New Features at O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels is a weekend to remember with new features like Drag City USA, presenting a unique exhibit of nostalgic dragsters from The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla. Among them are Garlits’ personal collection of “swamp rats,” Connie Kalitta’s “Bounty Hunter” and Don Prudhomme’s 1970 Wynn’s Winder, known as “The Snake,” which some may remember as a Hot Wheels car. The dragster exhibit also features the Chi-Town Hustler and Hawaiian Funny Cars from Greg Mosley’s Mopar Museum Moline, Ill.

New this year is the Tuner Galleria featuring a collection of the finest European and Japanese modern muscle and sport compacts paired with live entertainment. A lifestyle aspect is also part of this exhibit, featuring fashion shows featuring PMGirls models, karaoke, dance competitions and more.
Formerly a show in itself, the popular Chevy VetteFest also is a new addition to the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, where the ultimate in original and restored Corvettes and Chevrolets compete for the Gold Spinner and Triple Crown Awards.

Guests can also enjoy 30-minute shows from the WheelieShow.com’s Streetbike Freestyle Stunt Team. The high-energy, breathtaking shows are held multiple times each day of the three-day event.

Celebrity Showcase, presented by SuperStart Battery
Celebrity appearances are always a popular feature at the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. The Celebrity Showcase, presented by Super Start Battery, features an all star line up including WWE Women’s Champion Melina Perez (Melina) from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, March 3. Joining the line up this year is also Chip Foose, legendary auto designer and star of “Overhaulin” on TLC who appears at the show from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. The kids will be happy to know that Disney actress Brenda Song from “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and “Suite Life on Deck” joins the celebrity showcase from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 7.
Back by Popular Demand
Returning this year are popular exhibits including Cycle Rama, featuring more than 100 of the nation’s best custom built choppers; and MotoRama, showcasing traditional rods and customs including cars from the well-known “VooDoo Larry.”
Throughout the weekend, cars compete for the prestigious Legend Cup, sponsored by CleanTools. This award is given to the winning vehicle which best represents a combination of style, quality and craftsmanship during the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels weekend. The winner of the CleanTools Legend Cup is awarded a beautiful perennial cup and presented with a check for $5,000.

O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels also hopes to combine the worlds of auto and art with the Chicago Brushmasters “Kustom Kulture Automotive Art Auction.” This live charity auction features several hundred professionally decorated pieces from artists around the country, and all proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The charity auction will have a special display of NHRA driver Ashley Force’s professional race car. At 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, the Chicago Brushmasters present legendary sign artist Art Dexter with the “Frank H. Atkinson Lifetime Achievement Award” for his innovation, mentoring and inspiration to the pinstriping community.

Committed to educating future generations about the automotive industry, the 5th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Student Day is held Friday, March 5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Participating students visit the show floor to see the vehicles and speak with sponsors and exhibitors before the event opens to the public, as well as earn complimentary access to all parts of the three-day show.

Tweet Us and Win!
Be sure to follow the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show on Twitter for a chance to win a family 4-pack of tickets. One lucky follower will win! Tweet us at @WorldofWheelsIL.

Visit the World of Wheels blog at www.worldofwheels.wordpress.com for schedule of events and appearances.

O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels in Chicago to be largest event in show's history

The 48th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels held March 5-7, 2010 at its new location, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.), is positioned to be the largest show in the event's long running history. This year's show, presented by Denny Guest's South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep and produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc. hosts 500 of the country's best custom and restored cars. The show is open 3 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 5; 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6; and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, March 7. Admission is $16 per person, $5 for children ages 6-12 and discount tickets can be purchased at any Chicago area O'Reilly Auto Parts retailer.

"As we anticipated, the move from Chicago's McCormick Place to the Rosemont venue has provided us with more space this year," says Pete Toundas, president of Championship Auto Shows. "Already the oldest and biggest auto enthusiast event in Chicago, we expect the show to be the largest in the show's history. The additional space has allowed us to showcase more cars and offer new special exhibits."

The move to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center enables the show to continue to grow, having 550,000 square feet of exhibition space for its custom and restored cars, trucks and motorcycle exhibits. The show also has more features, vendors, displays and events, including a live charity auction and a lifestyle area with live entertainment, fashion shows and karaoke competitions.

New Features at O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels is a weekend to remember with new features like Drag City USA, presenting a unique exhibit of nostalgic dragsters from The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla. Among them are Garlits' personal collection of "swamp rats," Connie Kalitta's "Bounty Hunter" and Don Prudhomme's 1970 Wynn's Winder, known as "The Snake," which some may remember as a Hot Wheels car. The dragster exhibit also features the Chi-Town Hustler and Hawaiian Funny Cars from Greg Mosley's Mopar Museum Moline, Ill.

New this year is the Tuner Galleria featuring a collection of the finest European and Japanese modern muscle and sport compacts paired with live entertainment. A lifestyle aspect is also part of this exhibit, featuring fashion shows featuring PMGirls models, karaoke, dance competitions and more.

Formerly a show in itself, the popular Chevy VetteFest also is a new addition to the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, where the ultimate in original and restored Corvettes and Chevrolets compete for the Gold Spinner and Triple Crown Awards.

Guests can also enjoy 30-minute shows from the WheelieShow.com's Streetbike Freestyle Stunt Team. The high-energy, breathtaking shows are held multiple times each day of the three-day event.

Celebrity Showcase, presented by SuperStart Battery
Celebrity appearances are always a popular feature at the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. The Celebrity Showcase, presented by Super Start Battery, features an all star line up including WWE Women's Champion Melina Perez (Melina) from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, March 3. Joining the line up this year is also Chip Foose, legendary auto designer and star of "Overhaulin" on TLC who appears at the show from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. The kids will be happy to know that Disney actress Brenda Song from "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" and "Suite Life on Deck" joins the celebrity showcase from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 7.

Back by Popular Demand
Returning this year are popular exhibits including Cycle Rama, featuring more than 100 of the nation's best custom built choppers; and MotoRama, showcasing traditional rods and customs including cars from the well-known "VooDoo Larry."

Throughout the weekend, cars compete for the prestigious Legend Cup, sponsored by CleanTools. This award is given to the winning vehicle which best represents a combination of style, quality and craftsmanship during the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels weekend. The winner of the CleanTools Legend Cup is awarded a beautiful perennial cup and presented with a check for $5,000.

O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels also hopes to combine the worlds of auto and art with the Chicago Brushmasters "Kustom Kulture Automotive Art Auction." This live charity auction features several hundred professionally decorated pieces from artists around the country, and all proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The charity auction will have a special display of NHRA driver Ashley Force's professional race car. At 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, the Chicago Brushmasters present legendary sign artist Art Dexter with the "Frank H. Atkinson Lifetime Achievement Award" for his innovation, mentoring and inspiration to the pinstriping community.

Committed to educating future generations about the automotive industry, the 5th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Student Day is held Friday, March 5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Participating students visit the show floor to see the vehicles and speak with sponsors and exhibitors before the event opens to the public, as well as earn complimentary access to all parts of the three-day show.

"Championship Auto Shows is committed to providing the best experience possible at the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show," says Toundas. "We are confident the new features this year will please our guests new and old, and the show will continue to be Chicago's largest auto enthusiast event."

About O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The 48th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, presented by Denny Guest's South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep is produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc. of Auburn Hills, Mich. Part of the International Show Car Association custom car competition, the show takes place March 5-7, 2010 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.). The event hours are Friday, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Discount pre-sale tickets can be purchased at O'Reilly Auto Parts. For more information, visit www.worldofwheels.com or www.worldofwheels.wordpress.com. Tweeting updates can be found at @WorldofWheelsIL.

New features at 2010 O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, Mar. 5-7

The 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels has a new spring date, March 5-7, 2010, and a new location at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.). This year’s show, presented by Denny Guest's South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep and produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc., also promises several new car features. The show is open Friday, March 5, 3 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Admission is $16 per person, $5 for children ages 6-12. Children five and under have no fee.

“We feel the show is more accessible with the move to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont,” says Pete Toundas, president of Championship Auto Shows. “The Rosemont venue provides us with more space that we are excited to utilize with new special exhibit features this year.”

Celebrating its 48th year in showcasing the country’s best custom and restored cars, trucks and motorcycles, the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show is the oldest and largest enthusiast event in Chicago. The move to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center enables the show to continue to grow having 550,000 square feet of exhibition space. The show also has more exhibits, vendors, displays and events, including a live charity auction featuring auto and music memorabilia and showcases.

New Features at O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels is a weekend to remember with new features like Drag City USA presenting a unique exhibit of nostalgic dragsters from The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla., including Garlits’ personal collection of “swamp rats;” Connie Kalitta’s “Bounty Hunter;” and Don Prudhomme’s 1970 Wynn’s Winder known as “The Snake” which some may remember as a Hot Wheels car. New this year is the Tuner Galleria featuring a collection of the finest European modern muscle and sport compacts paired with live entertainment. Formerly a show in itself, the popular Chevy VetteFest also is a new addition where the ultimate in original and restored Corvettes and Chevrolets compete for the Gold Spinner and Triple Crown Awards.

Back by Popular Demand
Returning this year are popular exhibits including Cycle Rama, featuring more than 100 of the nation’s best custom built choppers; and MotoRama, showcasing traditional rods and customs including cars from the well-known “VooDoo Larry.”

Celebrity appearances are always a popular feature at the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. Joining the line up this year includes Chip Foose, legendary auto designer and star of “Overhaulin,” who appears at the show on Saturday, March 6. More auto industry celebrities are also expected at this year’s event.

Throughout the weekend, cars compete for the prestigious Legend Cup, sponsored by CleanTools. This award is given to the winning vehicle which best represents a combination of style, quality and craftsmanship during the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels weekend. The winner of the CleanTools Legend Cup is awarded a beautiful perennial cup and presented with a check for $5,000.

O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels also hopes to combine the worlds of auto and art with the Chicago Brushmasters Pinstripers Art Auction. This live charity auction features several hundred professionally decorated pieces from artists around the country. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Committed to educating future generations about the automotive industry, the 5th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Student Day is held Friday, March 5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Participating students visit the show floor to see the vehicles and speak with sponsors and exhibitors before the event opens to the public, as well as earn complimentary access to all parts of the three-day show.

“Championship Auto Shows is committed to providing the best experience possible at the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show,” says Toundas, “We are confident the new features this year will please our guests new and old, and the show will continue to be Chicago’s largest auto enthusiast event.”

About O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, presented by Denny Guest's South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep is produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc. of Auburn Hills, Mich. Part of the International Show Car Association custom car competition, the show takes place March 5-7, 2010 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.). The event hours are Friday, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Discount pre-sale tickets can be purchased at O’Reilly Auto Parts. For more information, visit www.worldofwheels.com.