Since I had never seen a photo of Ryan, I thought he was everybody's imaginary friend. Actually kinda surprised those photos didn't mysteriously disappear. LOL Congrats, Ryan. I was bummed I missed the award presentation to applaud your contribution to this thing we do.
Good to meet you Ryan, didn't get to talk much at registration, But maybe a little more than the last time we talked at the drags several years ago. SUPER KOOL video and even some Kool pics you posted, one in particular!
Thanks Mick for all that you do - it is quite obvious that you are a master at making this show look easy, and year after year. My wife commented you bring the details together on such a large scale undertaking and make it look easy, and the venue feels like a family outing. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year on a 2000 mile road trip, with the last stop being the Stray Kat 500. Our first time was in 2013 when it was colder than a well digger's keister, but as has been said above, the venue is so nice and friendly, everyone just hunkered down to stay as dry and warm as possible and the show went on. Last Thursday we checked in at the Bartlesville Marriott Fairfield and immediately ran into Dan Greenberg in the lobby. He just arrived from spending the night at povertyflats house which is a sort of halfway point driving from Colorado. He knows everyone and Mick happened to be in the lobby too, so Dan introduced us. Both men are heckuva nice guys and we felt privileged to hang out with them for a bit. I saw Travis's car but did not run into him until Sunday morning. I didn't recognize him without his ball cap. One venue not mentioned and is worth a visit if you have the time is the Phillips petroleum museum. It is literally a piece of history and I was surprised by all of the patented processes they developed. There were so many AWESOME cars that we did not see all of them. One that was a real head turner for me was this "slightly modified" 50 Chevy. I'm no Dan Greenberg with a camera but this little unit was so cool it looked good from any angle. It was #62 entry. If anyone knows details please share- it would be appreciated. I guessed a 53 corvette grille and perhaps 58 corvette headlights and fenders. Thanks again Mick for making this one more of your "Happy trails". Bill
Thanks Ryan, it's "technically" Chic's car.... But she lets me drive it, and work on it, and decide what gets done to it and so on! You know the drill, LoL! Been all over the country in it since we've put it together, and even a few years before kids, weird kid less people driving a wagon! LoL! Glad that you're coming back next year, my four "favorite" shows/events are this one, Salina KKOA, LSR and the Stray Kat Starliner in Wichita at the air museum. As was said previously, it's like a family reunion.... With cars!
The SK500 is one of our favorite events..........The petroleum museum is pretty cool also...and don't forget to eat at Murphy's Steakhouse. About 10 years ago, I talked Jen into going to the SK500 in the roadster p/u and pre-iPhones I was watching the weather and tried to avoid a DOWNPOUR.......but, she was a trooper and we pulled into Dewey on Saturday morning soaked to the bones and Mick was at there to smile and shake our soaked hands when we pulled in. Great show!! Chris
That one belongs to Rick Wittenborn, over in Marionville, MO. Heck of a nice guy, and I've never seen him without a big grin on his face.
Most of the "regulars", at the Stray Kat 500, know the story about me running my '40 stake truck out of gas while in the "awards" line on Sunday, in 2015. I got teased pretty hard by several guys about it, before and during the 2016 event. Well...just to let the rest of you in on "the rest of the story", I'm still an idiot! This year, we took Dad's '34 sedan, with a fuel gauge that jumps around like a monkey on crack, and well...after hammering down the highway at 75, talking back and forth, and thinking I had the range that I do in my '40 coupe, I ran the darn thing out of gas on the side of Hwy 44. Thanks to Linda Gann, for the photo do***entation, and for Mike Burchett, to publicly shame me on Facebook!
Hats off to Mick, a tireless supporter of traditional hotrodding and a provider of a great show to have a casual big city free weekend. This event has been n my radar forever and haven't made it there yet. If I am still breathing I hope next year is the time. Some super cool rigs there again this year, thanx to all for taking me there via their media tools.
Bret, I didn't even mention it this year (that I can remember), and I'm the one that carried you the gas can from "across town"!! LoL! But it's on now! LoL!
Drone youtube video is cool. A new perspective. Would also be cool at drags. It's also a good call, you thought of liability of flying over that much $$$$$$$. Super cool, but I hope some less qualified, or less conscientious drone pilots don't fail over someone's ride. ... great video!!! I now have Price Hotel & Stray Kat on my next Shows -- must attend list.
Hey Ryan, Thanks for the shout out for the Price Tower. I love to gaze out my window at the Price Tower and watch the various cars cruise in for our events in B'ville. Yes, Mick is one of our shining stars and puts on a great event. We're looking forward to the Oldies but Goodies show this weekend. Thanks for choosing to support our events and the Price Tower in particular. Next time you come stay, drop in and say hello. If we can do anything to make your visit better, please don't hesitate to let me know. We are really glad you enjoyed your stay and look forward to many more! Scott Ambler Executive Director Price Tower Arts Center
Thanks guys for all of the kind words. Every year I'm over whelmed how many cars show up to our show. The social part is very important to the Kats and we work hard to keep it that way. We want it to feel like you are rolling into a kool family reunion. Over the years I've had the most fun attending Kustom Kemps of America shows, old Rod Runs and the HAMB Drags. All these events are social and you get the chance to visit with old friends, and meet new ones. One of my highlights is the Inspiration ceremony. Having the opportunity to thank guys publically on what they have done in my life its so kool. (I'm always scared to death) I want to make sure they realize how thankful I am and the role that they played in building my Kustom & Hot Rod foundation. Over the years I have not talked to Ryan a lot because our paths hadn't crossed. His inspiration came from his creation of the Jalopy Journal. Because of the web site I have a lot more friends from all over the country and he has fueled traditional Hot Rods and Kustoms into a higher standard. Over the past twenty years I don't know of another person that has Inspired as many people to build and drive Hot Rods and Kustoms than Ryan. Thanks Ryan! McPhail was the other one to receive and Inspiration award. I've known Dennis for many years and it has been kool to watch him develop into a legendary artist. McPhail was the guy that Inspired me to quit the local car club and to do my own thing and start the SK500. I used to sketch all of the time but he got me back into drawing and I'm so blessed that we had that conversation. Dennis also lives and drives Kustoms and Hot Rods, he will drive then anywhere and at anytime. I can't tell you how many trips to the left and the right coast that he has made over the years. Thanks guys for taking the time out of your busy lives to hang out with us. Happy Trail, Mick
I reserved the Inn at the Price Tower. When you call to make your reservations, be sure to tell them you are attending the Stray Kat 500. If we book at least 6 rooms the price will go from $145 a night to $99 a night. This is a great deal. We already have three rooms taken so we will easily go over the six rooms required. I bet we will book all 19 rooms. Here is the link http://www.pricetower.org/stay/ If you have any questions just let me know...
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