I sure disagree with this one. Someone needs to tell the 10,000 plus people that attended the Louisville nats that they have nothing to do with hotrodding. Tell Andy Brizio, who I met at a NSRA event in 71, that he has nothing to do with hotrodding. He just happened to drive across country in an open roadster to attend the Nats, then drive the same roadster to Bonneville, then to Pleasanton. Hotrodding is not just one genre of rod, in my opininon.
You are talking 40 years ago. The Modern NSRA is about as related to hotrodding as is Macrame. And they have been this way for almost 40 years. I glanced at one of Mayalls editorials in an 80s SRM last night. He went on and on about how Nostalgia Drag racing and REAL HOT RODS were bad for the hobby of STREETRODDING. His words and sentiments not mine.
Yes, 40 years goes by very quickly, & I can say that those 5 cross country trips I made back then to the NSRA NATS,--1972--1973--1975--1976--1994, were the most memorible & great times in my lifetime!! I have always said that the fun is in the line chasing times, ain't nothing like seeing the USA from the road!! I agree with you guys that say, "nothing to do but sit around bench racing" A long time ago we used to invent fun things to do at car events & hardly had the luxury of just sitting around!-----Sure, it takes planning, but what worthwhile fun time doesen't???---Most guys I know are always ready to take on new challenges, especially car related fun times!!----Don
Regardless of what you call it, the events I enjoy most invlove joining a group of cars and going SOMEPLACE - museum, concert, park, racing event, etc. - rather than just a car show. A half day drive, an event and RON (remain over night) and driving back the next day is even better. What I don't like is a short drive, the stop to eat, and then reverse the route home. All the bike groups I've been in seemed to think that was a perfect ride. I also like to keep up with the traffic. Why have a "hot rod' and poke around at 50 on the interstate? Driving a little briskly makes it more fun, eh? Gary
Let's see, you just missed this one by two weeks. The Barons had a reliability run, valve cover races, Death Race!, and of course Tug Bucket. http://www.caferacerproduction.com/hillcountry.html In a couple of weeks, the Kontinentals will have drag races: http://dayofthedrags.com/ A couple of weeks after that is the TTA Texas State Championships in Denton: http://www.texastiming.com/upcoming_events.htm Right after that is Pistons and Paint. It's more of a hanging out sort of show, but the quality of cars and folks always makes it seem like too short of a day. http://www.pistonsandpaint.com/
I have a good time here in the Northeast, just going to the low buck (old time hotrod) shows. These shows seem to be put on by hobbiest car guys not looking for maximum returns. For some reason it sure seems to add some good times, compared to glitz type shows. I am fortunate to have shows done by the Rumblers, Alterboys and Milltown. They are growing in a phenominal way because they are fun, laid back, and ......very few people sit by the car...heck, can't even ask a builder a question Also, there are the beginnings of a trend towards doing reliability runs here. Rolling Bones was doing one and another one north of here by other hambers. Things are changing if you ask me.
Goodguys had autocross at Pleasanton...and other shows as well I believe. I go to shows to look at all the cars. that is the only activity I need. I don't sit down until I'm ready to collapse.
Some of the other North Texas guys and I were sitting at Goodguys last weekend, and we were talking about the same thing. Used to be the BIG shows were all the hype, I remember going to the Nats in St Paul in the early 90's, and being blown away... Now, the smaller "events" seem to be alot more fun. I say events, because "showing" the car isn't the focus.... My uncle and I met in Joplin for the HAMB drags, both our first time... we're were like 2 kids, and you couldn't wipe the smile off our faces... and we parked way in the back of the spectator lot... and we didn't care because it wasn't about a show... I'm glad that we have so many events like this in Texas... Nothing against Goodguys, I like Kirk! and Gary, but if the Hill Country 100 falls on the same weekend next year, I'll probably go there instead.
Hey Al, there is a big 3 dayer in June just south of you, here's the web site: http://www.bhoverdrive.com/ Lots of cruising to three different cities with park and sits and other activities. Russ (E83W) went there and said he had a blast. Plus relatively inexpensive, like 75 bucks for all 3 days. Pesonnally, I've been stayin' away from most of the big city shows and go to the smaller venues in the rural areas. That way I'm cruizin' to them, and I leave the bugs on the bumper, hood and windshield too. After a few hours, I move on. Cruizin' is more fun.
I agree Onebad56. . the Smaller venues around here are more appealing.. I just washed the summers bugs off the front of the 55. Id rather cruise than sit..
Thanks for that link! I'll have to try to get down there next year. One of the plusses about living where I do, pretty much every event I go to is at least an hour's drive away. I just wish there were a few "segregated" hotrod events in the area.
There are about 3 or 4 good "open" cruizes in the Calgary area, only one of them that is not marquee specific. A few of the rod clubs hold club only weekend cruizes too.
The ultimate rod run is just you in your driveway. In fact, the show would be even smaller if you weren't there. So I guess the ultimate car shows are going on right now in garages and driveways all over the world where the car is sitting alone. Cool!
The Western Maryland Rod Run in Cumberland Maryland still has Rod Jousting and a Burn Out competition. A lot of those in attendance run their cars in them. They are a lot of fun for everyone.
I second that. Radius Rods put on one of the few remaining "Rod Runs" and they do a great job of it. Its always fun and always in the spirit of a real old time Rod Run because thats what it is and they make sure to keep it that way.
HAMB Drags & KKOA "Run What ya Brung" Drags in Salina...just two within a day's driving distance of Texas...We drive to Salina every year and have a ball just cruising around and racing on Friday night at the old airport strip. Lots of us come back from these events with a bunch of stories, smiles on our faces and no lawn chair marks on our rear ends. Making a lot of NEW friendships in the process...
As for the driving events,two words-EXPENSIVE INSURANCE. Our club had to dole out some serious dinero this year to cover our driving event which we've sponsored for three decades. Times have changed. What really sucks are the new "piggyback events" that schedule up in the same time frame so their advertising is nil and they have an instant event participant. If you benefit a cause,charity or special fund for a group you get knocked on your ass as you lose your spectators to the "free" events. My motto:"Piggybacking ain't Pioneering."
There are poker runs, also all kinds of kids and adult games. Live music, beer, soda and food and free camping too
There is one tomorrow night starting at the Leonard Texas Sonic and ending at a hot rod shop for a throw down party. Come on out. Starts at 730 pm
What happened is simple-the people changed. When we were going to 15 weekend-long events each summer and driving every weekend, it was our only focus and hobby. Everything went into the car. As things progressed, we wanted to go farther and needed more reliable cars that would go the long distances desired. The hot rod side of the cars became softer and, as the people got older, so did they. Along came kids and then grandkids, so everyone's time is more valuable now. Getting anyone to go for a weekend is really tough-just trying to get anyone to stay past 2 or 3PM is hard now. Time pressure and priorities have changed, so the one-day park and sit has become the norm. There are still a few real runs out there, so look hard and you will find them. Our club has been putting on the same event for 35 years now, end of July at a great location that isn't 15 minutes away from the house. Where other shows draw 500-1500 cars, we get a reliable (and fun) 65-80 each year. Yes, it takes 200-300 miles of driving over the weekend to get there and back, but it's way better than sitting a plastic chair talking about what used to be and planning on how to mow the lawn later in the afternoon.
you should have made it out to the Hill Country 100 hosted by the Baron's in Kerrville. It is exactly the type of "real" rod run you are looking for. You will have to wait until next year now.
Next weekend, Oct 17/18 The Rolling Bones Reliability Run is happening. Starts at Tucker's @ 11/11:30 heading to The Hotrod Fallout late afternoon then to my shop (Allstar Hotrods) for the after party/dinner/drinks followed by breakfast Sunday AM at my friends/customers shop then back to Tucker's. Going to be fun, a non lawnchair event. Go to thier website for more info and details-rollingboneshotrodshop.com
Games? How bout putting your hot rod down the track? Isn't that what hot rodding is about, making an older model car perform better than newer and more expensive cars......check out some nostalgia drag racing, your lawn chair will miss you!
The weather kept a lot of folks away but as was said in another post it didn't stop true rodders from getting out. Thanks to Billy O, Ken, Keith, Derrick and PC and all the others who made it.
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