“Shack-To-Hell-U-Ride” at Burning Man

Ethan Wilson is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Ethan Wilson.

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Why we need you!

Bringing the Shack to Burning Man community events is an honor and a labor of love. And it requires significant financial investment to maintain the vehicles and transport it safely. In fact, in order to bring the Shack to regional events, we have a dedicated diesel pickup and heavy-duty trailer which are used to transport it. Below are some of the itemized needs that we hope to accomplish over the next few months that are part maintenance/part artistic additions and necessary expenses. If the Shack resonates with you and you wish to support this creative “public transportation”, we need your help!

The Shack

The "Shack To-Hell-U-Ride" is an artistic interpretation of a miner’s turn-of-the-century shack that is on fire (built on the chassis of a chopped-down 1989 Ford Transporter van). Designed and built by renowned BRC artist Jamie Vaida (Oakland, CA) and Alvin Sessions (Grand Junction, CO), this Mutant Vehicle has been safely modified to have a dynamically flaming roof made of non-combustible sheet metal. The current owners enhanced, embellished, and modified her over the years, adding a 500-watt solar system for electric power, a 7-speaker sound system, radically illuminating her for nighttime transformation, and styled the interior with antique wood and artifacts from the mining era in Telluride, Colorado. The interior space now resembles a miner’s cabin complete with a wrought iron bed, a functioning vintage parlor wood stove, a 1920s icebox., and an apparent “moonshine still” (which disguises the propane tanks for the flaming roof!).

The most unique and dynamic special effect on this one-of-a-kind Mutant Vehicle is a flaming roof (literally)! The "burning" shack will float along The Playa and look as if it is on fire… but it’s very safe (yes, we carry fire extinguishers).

Nothing can compare to the experience of riding in a fiery art car at Burning Man. It's like having a party with your closest friends while viewing fabulous art installations on The Playa.

We need to make a few important repairs, some additions, and minor improvements to the Art Car and accompanying truck/trailer in the next few months leading up to Saguaro Man and The Big Burn and will also need help funding the transportation costs (it is nearly 2,000 miles to BRC round trip from Tucson!). Safety is our highest priority, not only in transporting burners around Playa but in making sure our team gets there and back to Tucson, AZ. The maintenance of the truck, trailer, and Art Car will ensure a safer ride for all.

The Stewards

Palace Productions is excited to share the news that we will be bringing the “Shack-To-Hell-U-Ride” to Burning Man this August! After 8 years, the Telluride co-creators -“Sizzle”/Erin Ries and “Lucky”/Chris Myers - are taking a much-needed break in 2023 and have passed the torch (literally) on to us to light the way. The Art Car will not only cruise around Black Rock City once again, giving burners rides to hell and back but will also make an appearance at Arizona’s very own regional burn: Saguaro Man! Please show your support and help us along this incredible journey!

Planned Maintenance & Needed Supplies

Trailer Maintenance and costs:

- Brakes and axle bearings $100

- Replace running lights license plate light, and wiring harnesses, as needed. $50

- Build steel ramps used to load the shack: $300

- Install/weld anchor points on trailer & Art Car for easier and secure transportation: $200

- Transportation rigging & supplies (binders, chains, straps): $300

- Add a diamond-plate steel box on the trailer tongue for tie-down chains/transportation equipment: $300

Truck Maintenance (25-year old vehicle with 250,000 miles):

- Replace seals (as needed), replace steering damper, fix alignment, repair rear differential $800

Art Car Maintenance:

- Install anti-sway bars to lock truck to axles $100