Hot Rod Power Tour 2011....THOUGHTS?

Sounds great. I will be checking into the driving on the Indy track thing. That would be a big time for me. I have driven on the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Man that was fun

 

You are CORRECT!!

I got booze.

 

Don't get your hopes up for a drive on the Indy track. I've done many PT Long Hauls in both my '47 Chevy convertible and Big Olds. We've had stops at tracks before, Talladaga for one, and didn't get to cruz on the track. The stops are park and sits. There would be no way to get the amount of cars that show up at the different evening stops around the track in a timely fashion. Hell they have trouble just getting the amount of cars into the venue and parked without causes traffic jams on the surrounding streets.

From what I understand the PT next year ends in the Metro Detroit area. I've already gotten requests from pals doing the PT for places to sleep here at the house that weekend. I might have a BBQ that weekend here at the house depending on the date of my nephews graduation party. I'll post it if I have the party. Sure would be fun to get together with a bunch of out of town HAMB folks while there're here in town.

 

I have been twice before, and I'm doing the long haul next year. Unfortunately, it won't be in a HAMB-friendly car this time.

 

just a tip for you guys coming down the east coast to the tour. took my 59 chevy wagon on the 06 tour had a great time tried to take it on this years tour again but thats another story the auto train maybe something to check out it will drop you close to cocoa save you time fuel and wear and tear also got to run around the speedway in newton that we started at . $20 took the wife and kid both were screaming wife"stop were gonna flip over" 8 year old daughter"go faster daddy this is fun"

 

My Dad and I did the long haul this year and it was a first time we had ever gone on a Power Tour. We took my 56 Chevy on it and had a good time but there was a lot of things I didn't like about it. The one thing I strongly suggest you need is a GPS! We didn't have one and just thought it would be ok following friends of mine that had one, big mistake! I dont want to bad mouth it to much because my car made Hot Rod magazine because of it. Anyway go and have fun and meet lots of great people.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. I would love to meet other HAMBERS. A GPS I will take for sure. Still thinking about the Long Haul. It sounds like fun but I am afraid that after a few days of driving all day that I may get tired of it, or I may love it and go all the way??

We will start making some serious plans soon.
What about hotels? Is it better to stay a few miles away from the action to save some bucks? or are the hotels working with HRPT pretty good? THANKS

 

IF I can get the time off of work and the dates end up working out, I would LOVE to hop on the tour in Indianapolis, But I'm sure I can't get the time off. For those of you who have done it, do they stick to expressways, or do they get off on some side roads? I would like to do the tour in my '67 Deville with my 14 foot Teardrop trailer (drum brakes don't scare me either, but pulling a trailer with a 4 inch mirror on the drivers side only does, lol) Not sure I could get the time off, OR find the courage to go all the way down to southern Georgia to start the tour. That would be two FULL days of driving just to get down there :-O

 

I did one leg of it in 1998 in a Cobra replica. I had a blast.

There is a lot going on in the evenings when they get to their destination.

 

I went on the second half of it to Florida in 2000 and had a great time. I would recommend it to anyone. I met lots of great folks and got to see some areas I had never been to and did it all in an old car (although not old enough to be HAMB friendly). There was nothing like having that many hot rods running down the highway together. I would like to go again some time but take my family with me. I flew solo last time and didn't even make the decision to go until they were close to home. I remember telling my wife "I have always wanted to do this" as we were looking at all the cars at one of their stops. She replied "You should go", so I did...

 

Cool story. Cool wife!
I was on that PT and did the long haul......San Berdo, CA to Panama City Beach, FL. What a trip! Was like 6800 miles for me total by the time I drove from Detroit to CA then from FL back to Detroit. I think I was gone like 28 days total on the road. Best time ever!

So, did you join the tour in Elk City, OK by chance? What a great stop, whole town came out to greet us, fire dept BBQ'd for us, lots of burnouts on RT66. Awesome hospitality from the folks there in Elk City.

 

Did a leg a couple of years ago in the A roadster. LOUSY RAIN.

 

I thought I remembered you being on that tour. If I remember right, your car was in primer and maybe had some damage on it? I think I remember a sign on the door looking for a good body man or something.

Anyway, actually, I went out to Elk City just to look at the cars while they were close. That is when I decided to meet up with them the next day in OKC on the way to Tulsa. I ended up packing up after getting home from Elk City and catching the tour at a gas stop the next morning. Next thing I knew I made it to Panama City...

 

Good memory, and very close to accurate, impressive after 10 years. My Chev was actually painted a dark purple. The drivers side had gotten smashed at the Grand Canyon on the way to CA. Once I arrived in San Berdoo some pals there made that sign and taped it to my drivers door. I think it said something like..... "Boyfriend Shopping, must be single, over 40 and own a bodyshop". I collected a lot of phones numbers that trip and really had a blast with that sign despite the circumstances.

 

Wow 28 days on the road. What was the cost of that? I figure for me that hotel and food will be about 150.00 per day add gas and a few other things and it will be over 200.00 Is that about right? That is what I am planning for anyway, so if it is more, I better start saving now. Mark

 

Did it twice in my 55 Caddy. First time I spun a rod bearing short of Birmingham Al , but managed to keep on going and having fun. Second time Hot Rod Mag 2007 coverage in November issue page 55 for proof. The friendships made are what its about for me. Gonna try and make 2011 in my new project 55

 

$200 a day is probably a good guess. If you have money left over afterwards well that can't be all bad right?

 

Did PT Long Haul 2002 had a blast. Unless I missed the answer. No you do not have to stick to interstates/expressways. In fact the 2002 tour included a lot of 2 lane and some 4 lane divided highway. To earn the Long Haul you just have to get your ticket checked at each stop that afternoon (or at least that was in 02). Been trying to go again but something is always gettin in the way of that week. It was in 02 they decided to move the tour to the first part of June. They polled the crowd and everyone was pretty much in favor. Next year 03 (if I recall correctly) was big enough they didn't do a field shot of the cars like the did in 02 just took the photo of the crowd. HR figured out that starting over Memorial Day excluded families and such due to schools and work. Met some great folks. Yes lots of muscle cars, newer cars, and HAMB cars. Who cares what kinda of car...really. It is fun filled adventure seeing cars from all conditions and the people who love them!

 

I have some friends who do the long haul pretty often, I've never been able to take that much time off even though I work for myself.

I truly hope to do some of it in the Merc, AC blowin' and my wife and two young sons riding along.

 

I saw your car ! I'd never forget that sign!

 

Getting closer......

 

And I just learned that the last leg is between my hometown and Detroit. How can I not at least join that??

-Dave

 

I still have it rolled up in the rafters of my garage. It makes me smile every time I see it.

 

I am going this year for the first time! I am really excited about the tour. Going to pick up the tour in Louisville and going all the way to Detroit.

 

Doing the long haul in the 34 from Chicago. I thought I'd better put helical gears in the Halibrand or install a radio......I went eith 2.92's

 

We'll be jumping in at Indy, driving over from central Illinois, and taking it up to Detroit. My first PT riding co-pilot in my friends pearl orange "new" '68 camaro that just came out of the shop. Can't wait to see some cool HAMB friendly cars on tour!

 

The official driving instructions are out. check bangshift.com ot Hot Rod's forums. The back road sections are usually the best!

 

I have been on parts of the Tour in '02, '04 and '05. Was a Long-Hauler in '03. Every year, had an absolute blast!! Meet folks from all over the country, and overseas too.

All kinds of cars, and you will never need to see another Camaro or Mustang; because you will have seen EVERY year, colour and modification known to man.

 

Going to be a longhauler for the first time. Could use a place to stay in Detroit.

Driving a '72 C/10, orange, no air

 

both of my sons & i are taking the 39 ... one son has a Z06....he thinks he can outrun me....told him to bring a rope if he wants to keep up