1st Goodguys Spring Nationals 2010 Street Challenge Autocross

Goodguys Spring Nationals, March 12-14

Street Challenge Autocross

To see all the juicy event details, check below.  What we are excited about and wanted to point out to you readers is the new event they’re having this year.  The “Street Challenge Autocross”!  Take your hot rod and bash some cones and yank that steering wheel around and put a hurtin’ on your tires and brakes.  Check out these 2 hot rods showing you how autocross is done!

 

Check out this CRC Vette getting it on in the twisties.  Man that looks fun!

…or maybe Corner Carving Muscle is your thing, check out Bryan Frank’s Trans-Am. 

I’d love to see some lead sleds or kustoms out on the course.  Or maybe a 32 roadster! 

Details of the event below:

The Goodguys Spring Nationals is a new hot rod and custom car festival featuring the Southwest’s premier custom vintage automobiles! The event will feature over 2,000 1972 & earlier hot rods, customs, classics, street rods, muscle cars, & trick trucks as well as manufacturer and vendor exhibits, a swap meet and cars for sale area, special “themed” parking areas, model car & pedal car expo, kids play area and lots of fun for the entire family.

A special Autocross will also be featured, allowing event participants to test their car’s performance levels on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 12, 13 & 14. Event hours are: Friday and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Where: WestWorld Equestrian Park, 16601 W. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, Tickets: General admission: $18 per day, Kids (7-12) $6. $5 spectator parking fee charged by WestWorld. Phone: WestWorld 480/312-6802 or Goodguys: 925/838-9876. Web: www.ggspringnats.com

Event Highlights: Outdoor Show n’ Shine: The Goodguys Spring Nationals officially kicks off Goodguys’ 23-event 2010 season. With an outdoor show n’ shine of over 2,000 vintage classics through 1972, WestWorld will be landscaped with acres of gleaming, candy-colored cars. Lil’ deuce coupes, hot rod roadsters, lead-sled 50’s Merc customs, ‘55-’57 Chevy’s, Camaros, Barracuda’s & Mustangs and other timeless beauties will fill the entire outdoor acreage of WestWorld.

Street Challenge Autocross: Hot rods and muscle cars will be in action both Friday and Saturday making runs through the electronically timed “Street Challenge” Autocross course. The course is approx. 1000 ft in length and features tight turns with rapid acceleration and deceleration. Speeds average 20-30mph while testing to extreme limits the vehicle’s performance capabilities. Winners receive gift certificates from sponsors including tires and suspension equipment and other performance goodies.

Commercial Exhibits/Swap Meet/Car Corral: Commercial and vendor exhibits will fill a large circus-style tent and the areas outside the tent. The swap meet and cars for sale corral offers unlimited bargain hunting and shopping for rare car parts.

Special Feature Areas: Held on Saturday from the 8 am to 2 pm, these areas will include: Timberland PRO’s Homebuilt Heaven, Young Guys—(for participants 25 and younger), Mighty Muscle (1955 through 1972 muscle cars), Ya Gotta Drive ‘Em (for participants who’ve driven their car more than 500 miles to the event), and the Trick Truck Corral for pickup trucks. The Goodguys “Builder’s Choice” area will feature the event’s top cars vying for 10 special awards.

Model Car Show: On Saturday, Revell Monogram will be sponsoring the Make n’ Take session at 1 pm. Model car kits will be available for the kids to build the kits and take them home. A full scale model car show and vintage pedal car exhibit will also be featured. Entertainment: Rock & roll music will fill the desert air all weekend long. Awards Ceremony: The culmination of the weekend will be Sunday’s official awards ceremony which takes place at 2:22pm. It’s a great way to see the best of the best! Additional Event Info: Visit www.ggspringnats.com or call 925/838-9876.

Chandler Car Show Shines Downtown

Overcast skies and the threat of actually having to wear a jacket didn’t deter a great crowd from downtown Chandler, Arizona on February 27, 2010. For all the pictures I took click here.

I figured I’d lead with this Willys gasser. I waited for a few minutes to snap this shot with just a few legs in still walking by. It was pretty big crowd! Even stacked with great cars, I picked this one as my favorite just for it’s sheer gasser badness. Those who disagree are simply wrong!

While you’re looking at this picture, notice the air scoops on the front of the hood. These scoops fed the cross rammed big block Chevy. Cool setup.

Besides the Willys that stopped me in my tracks, I found this car. A 1954 Darrin confirmed by trusty Google! I shot one of these up at Barrett Jackson 2 years ago. A perfectly restored piece that went for big bucks and was worth it.  The sliding pocket doors on these are so different, you’ll know these when you see’m. Now I’ve seen 2 of the 435 ever built.

An unusual car, no doubt, but look under the hood. At first I thought he’d put in a run-of-the-mill fuel injected small block. Maybe that’s all he SHOULD put in there given the body’s fiberglass and dig that stylish but tiny opening for cooling air. I wanted to ask the owner if it runs hot, but he was busy answering, “What’s that?” Then I saw what’s really stuffed in there:

Squint and you can see “Ram Jet” and 502. Get some.

Adding a little pedigree to the show, this is “Double Trouble” fresh from purchase at the Barrett Jackson auction. Also included on this definition of a hot rod’s pedigree is a trip to the Grand National Roadster show as an “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster contender. I dubbed this one America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster. It is.

It was designed and sketched by my friend Jimmy Smith from right here in Arizona. Here’s the sketch.

Making a, uhh… subtle transition from Double Trouble, dig this hot rod. I always hesitate to call it a rat rod, but maybe alot of people would. Hey guys, it may just be unfinished! With the detailed rear suspension still visible and the trick side draft carbed straight six Chevy it ran, I’m just gonna say bad, crowd pleasing hot rod let you decide what you want to call it.

Finally, this is my man Branden’s ride. (He’s a member at MyRideisMe.com so look at his garage here.)

I don’t think Branden minds if we call it a “rat rod”. With the spikes on the headlights, the rusty water pump and general lack of shine, I think it fits. But if you look really closely, there’s alot of well thought out planning shown. The pickup bed features a couple artillery cases for storage and this thing’s Branden’s daily driver so it’s solid.

Branden’s wife’s been fighting cancer since I’ve known him but he told me today she’s now cancer free. Right on!! When you see him shake his hand or give him a hug for goodness sakes!  His family’s been through alot and survived it.  I’m sure they’re all stronger now.

From the positive reaction other cancer patients have had to his car, Branden suggested a run out the the hospital to try and cheer up the patients. Who’s up for a ride to help out some folks who could use a smile?  More info to come soon on a cruise to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Goodyear.

Ending on a positive note then, check out all my pictures from downtown Chandler. We’ll see you around town!

-pikesan

Mustangs and Muscle Cars in Mesa, Arizona

Lance and his website HotRodPlanet.com is becoming quite a car show promoter in Arizona.  This is his latest effort and I’m sorry to get this up late for THIS WEEKEND 2/13/10.  Here’s the info you’ll need. (Click on the flier to see it full size) The show is SOLD OUT, but you can still take in the 200+ cars and the Air Museum.

Mustangs & Muscle Cars – Car Show at the
Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum February 13, 2010

The public is invited to attend the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Arizona Wing Aviation Museum’s Mustangs & Muscle Charity Car Show, sponsored by Berg Ford on Saturday, February 13, 2010. This shows theme features WWII P-51 Mustang fighters, along with both classic and new cars. The car show is open to all makes, models and years of muscle cars, street rods, 4X4’s, Exotics, Imports and motorcycles. Come see the cars cause this show is SOLD OUT.

Mustangs & Muscle Charity Car Show will be held at the CAF Arizona Wing Aviation Museum located at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, AZ. The Museum is located at 2017 N. Greenfield Road. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Warbirds on display for the car show include the B-17 Sentimental Journey, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, North American SNJ/T-6 and Stearman trainers, and many more. Exhibits displays Include a tribute to the B-17 Chow Hound, honoring fallen Airmen and the 91st Bomb Group, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Flying Tigers, the China Burma India Theater and Women in Aviation, including the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS) of WWII plus others.

In addition, there will be Hot Wheel racing for the kids, sponsored by KMJ Diecast, as well as music provided by a local DJ playing hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

Admission Price – Ages 13-Adult $10.00, Seniors 62 and older $9.00, Ages 5-12 $3.00, Ages under 5 free. Rides are also available on WWII B-17, C-45 and SNJ/T-6 trainer. Gift certificates may be purchased for flights on Sentimental Journey or other warbirds. The museums gift shop has many aviation gifts available for that unique gift. Food and drinks will be available.

The CAF Arizona Wing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to celebrating our heritage of freedom through flight, education, exhibition and remembrance. For more information on The Commemorative Air Force Aviation Museum please call 480-924-1940 or visit our web site at www.azcaf.org.

Rockabilly Reunion in Lake Havasu, AZ

Get set for the Second Annual Rockabilly Reunion this weekend February 12-14, 2010. How often can you get Rockabilly music, a pinup model contest and Rockabilly music all for FREE for you and your ride?

Voodoo Swing is set to perform at the event held on the shores of the Colorado River at Windsor State Beach in Lake Havasu, Arizona. “We’re thrilled to be playing three days of music along with other great acts for some of the biggest rockabilly music fans in the country who truly appreciate what we do”, said Voodoo Swing’s front man Paul “Shorty” Kreutz.

The Rockabilly Reunion is free to spectators of all ages and there is no charge to enter a car for display. Voodoo Swing plays throughout the weekend along with multiple rockabilly acts. The band is scheduled to play a welcome party at Nautical Inn Resort on the island at the beach in Lake Havasu City at 9pm on Friday evening following the poker run held at Windsor State Beach in Lake Havasu City on both Saturday and Sunday.

Carnival rides for all ages will be in place throughout the weekend. Additional features include the annual pinup contest, beer and food garden, vendor corral, used parts swap meet, used car corral and pin striping contest. A Brian Setzer Series Hotrod Gretsch guitar will be auctioned off during the weekend. The guitar has been provided by event sponsor Gretsch and can be viewed at the Gretsch booth near the stage.

A portion of proceeds from the high bid will be donated to America Home Dream, a non-profit organization that assists families of children with cancer.

For the Pinup model contest sponsored by Gretsch guitar, there’s $3000 in prizes available so get in touch with brendaleepinup@yahoo.com to enter.

Cool Steel in Steel City World of Wheels Car Show

Getting your Hot Rod Fix at the Pittsburgh World of Wheels

Another World of Wheels has come and gone in Pittsburgh, PA, AKA The Steel City, and it did not disappoint. Once again the wife and I hit the road to take in a car show, shoot some photos, and just enjoy being out of the house. After scraping off the ice from the previous day’s storm we were on our way for the 4 hour trip to the David Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. I actually find driving fairly relaxing so the trek went pretty quick.

There was something for everyone. If you like high end customs there were over-the-top rods like John Mai’s beautiful 1933 Willys Coupe.

Into race cars? Drag City USA was on hand displaying several vintage dragsters like the 1967 Bounty Hunter that was driven by Connie Kalitta.

Want to learn something? A number of airbrush artists were on hand demonstrating their craft.

Feeling charitable? You could have bid on some of the art that the pinstripers were creating all weekend.

Were there rat rods? Yup. There were many rats and kustoms including this 1930 Essex kustom by Jeff Shuman.

And what would the World of Wheels be without stuff that just makes you scratch your head like Joe Bellisario’s 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Wagon?

Were you there? How far have you ever driven just to attend a car show? Let us know and be sure to check out the rest of the photos in the pictures gallery.

Rat Fink Reunion 2010

Check this out guys and gals.  I told you to keep an eye on Andy’s Pinstriping blog didn’t I?  Here’s his latest work, getting ready for the Rat Fink Reunion 2010.

 “As is tradition every year at the Rat Fink Reunion, The artist’s give out an “Artist’s Choice” award to their favorite vehicle at the show.  This years “trophy” from me is a metal panel that features my man Fink doing some ca-razy stripe and letter work…and to finish it off I also distressed the panel so it looks like it was hanging in Ed’s shop in Maywood California back in the early sixties. I hope whoever receives this enjoys it as it was a labor of love to make!”  Andy

 

Click on the image to blow it up real big.  Looks even cooler!

Rat Fink Reunion 2010, Manti, Utah June 3-5, be there or be square!  I hope to attend this year’s event.  How often is there an event of this caliber in Utah right?

Hechtspeed

 

Top 10 Ways to Fail at an Arizona Car Show

This is how you do a car show! Complain as you might for a big annual show like Goodguys: the cost, the crowds, the waiting to get out when it’s all over, but that’s still a bigtime show and one I look forward to every year.

Compare that to this past weekend’s show at Beaudry RV put on by Roddin’ and Racin’s Jerry Hutchcroft. I did not attend the show, but I got a first hand account of what went on, and bottom line is: That’s a great example of how NOT to put on a car show.

Top 10 Ways to Fail at an Arizona Car Show:

#10: Don’t supply the advertised “Cruise Lane”

#9: Don’t put on the much anticipated and always fun Burn-out or engine “Rev-Up” contest

#8: Have a goodie bag filled with a small box of Tic-Tacs and a pen that doesn’t work

#7: Have poor facilities planning: Not enough garbage cans, a weak PA system and no as advertised preferred parking area

#6: Don’t have any car show class voting and trophies as advertised

#5: See “NEVER less than 20-30 cars backed up line” that at times were, “backed up all the way to the freeway” and don’t make a change to get people in quicker

#4: Show up late to your own car show when you advertised the gates would open at 6:30AM

#3: Dont’ supply a dash plaque, t-shirt or anything at all for the early registration, “Bonus Package”

#2: Advertise and collect pre-entries for a 2 day show, then change it to a 1 day show.

#1: Make a lame apology on your website claiming, “I didn’t know” the event would be so successful as the reason why it failed.

Giving some credit, this was a show for charity, although I haven’t heard how much they donated.  In addition, there were a reported 200 men that took advantage of the free  and the very important PSA screening for prostate cancer. (Get checked! I did at the Orange County “Crusin for a Cure” show)

But come on Jerry. The people who attended your show read your magazine and watch your TV show and have done so for years. The show you delivered for the $25 or $35 registration fee sounds like it was worse than the totally free, weekly Scottsdale Pavilions show.

Car show promoters and organizers, please listen: It’s the cars and the people driving them that make a show. Take care of them or they won’t be back.

How’d it go so wrong Jerry? I welcome your comments as well as any rants and any possible raves from people who attended the show. Anything I said not completely true? Let me know…

Videos from 2009 Yokohama, Japan Hot Rod Show

If there’s one show I want to attend, it’s the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama, Japan.  I lived in Japan for a couple years and didn’t know how cool it was until I left. I lived in the heart of Tokyo in Harajuku (all the Japanese people say, ooooooohhhh) and married a wonderful Japanese woman while I was there. Her family lived close to Yokohama, so I visited the Mooneyes shop. The shop itself was kinda funny. More trinkets and beads than hot rod parts, but I’m sure they could get anything you wanted.

Mooneyes has been a well known name in speed equipment since before I was born. Their slanted eyes (what would you call them?) have to be one of the most widely used sticker to date. It’s just a cool logo!

The show, now in it’s 18th year featured all the hottest hot rods and customs from Japan, and there’s more than you’d think, as well as some well known cars from the US of A as well. Shown above is Billy Gibbons’ 1958 Thunderbird custom from a shot we took at the SoCal Speed Shop in Pomona during the LA Roadster Show in June.  SoCal built this car and several others for Billy.  Hang out at the bigger LA car shows, like the Grand National Roadster Show and you’ll see Billy.

Then, they flew over the “original” 1932 Deuce Coupe from American Graffiti…  Milner’s Coupe!  That chrome yellow hot rod was responsible for a great part of my love for cars, no doubt.  Side by side in Japan, just like they were in the movie, you could also see Falfa’s 1955 Chevy.  Bad and black and driven by Harrison Ford in the movie… although not very well!

There’s also a ton of great bikes from Japan and shipped over from the US as well.  Our friend Max Grundy had his art on display too. Hopefully we’ll have some pictures from him soon.

Without further delay, here’s some cool 18th Annual Yokokama Hot Rod Custom Show videos… just in case you couldn’t make the trip… or got lost on the way from Narita.

Teaser about the show with Music from ZZ Top:

Parade of the cars coming in… More music from ZZ Top and shots of Billy Gibbons:

No ZZ Top, but a well done video and music. It shows most of the rides and some pinstriping action too…

Past the rock & roll straight to rap music. This is a well done video collection of pictures from the show.

Did you go to the show? What did you think? Before you judge any cars, remember, these were all built 1000’s of miles away from the nearest source of American car parts or a favorite salvage yard!

2009 Goodguys Southwest Nationals Picture Wrap-up

If you can’t wait until summer time Goodguys Gazette, scratch that now-time itch and check out MyRideisMe.com’s pictures from the 2009 Goodguys Southwest Nationals! Did we shoot your car?

Have you’ve ever worked at something and thought you were making progress improving your skill, then found out you were still way behind? That’s happening to me with my photography. I didn’t shoot alot of pictures at Goodguys, but I shot a few and thought a couple of them were pretty good!

But then, just after I sent the, “Hey Swanee, you gonna load your shots?” email, I noticed he’d already loaded them in the events picture gallery. You’re good people Swanee! ‘Cept for the fact that your images kill mine, that is… You can tell by the logo, that slammed Caddy riding on twenty-plus wires photo above is from our Alaska-raised Director of Photography.

Shown here is one of my best shots. This is the 1957 Chevy Custom that won the Goodguy/Grundy Kustom of the Year. Sunset in Arizona is frequently a, “Damn it’s good to be alive” event and this Saturday evening in Scottsdale made for some great shots. Learn more about this car from an article by our friends at Goodguys. More about the 57 Chevy Custom

Here’s a few more from Swanee’s lens.  The complete collection (sounds official don’t it?) is available in the Car Show and Events Picture Gallery under Goodguys Southwest Nationals.

As you can see, the sky and reflections from the low setting sun do it for me on the Tall T and Mercury Cougar.  Ford genus Puma concolor like this on are on my short but growing list of cars that didn’t TOTALLY SUCK from the 1970’s.

Striking back, I got some of that low-lying sun for myself shooting some other “of the Year” winners that always make their way to Scottsdale, the last show of the year for Goodguys. This is also the start of the, “That guy’s a MyRideisMe.com member” shots.  These first two shots are Kirk Johnson’s Truck of the Year-late 1968 F100. Kirk’s from my old stomp’n grounds in Sacramento, CA and a new member, so go say hi and learn more about his truck. He’s got another F100 he calls, “The Beater” shredd’n some rubber.

Swanee grabbed a few more member ride shots including this 1967 RS SS Camaro from Mesa.

Not sure what award this  supurbly detailed Camaro won, but with the Shafiroff built 540 large-block churning out a ridiculous 700 ponies through a Tremec 6 speed, don’t be fooled. This baby’s show and GO!

Swanee snapped a few members running their classic trucks at Goodguys, too.  On it’s near maiden voyage, Rob’s bumper-scrap’n ‘burb got pinstriped and broke-in some driving in from Mesa with his son riding shotgun. I know Rob, like me, loves it when the boys get involved.

Then up in the winner’s area, the “Unbound Scout” was collecting a prize. This truck’s made heartfelt impression on the IH guys who are coming over from some devoted forums to see the pics and build info.

Another fun and sunny Goodguys Southwest Nationals comes to an end. As usual, we had perfect weather and over 2400 cars.  The Goodguys folks took note that AZ’s the place to be when it’s too cold to be anywhere else and scheduled another show for Scottsdale in March. Now AZ’s got the first and last show of the year!  Anyone planning to come in from out of town, book your hotel NOW! March’s prime golf weather when the greens are frozen across the US, so Scottsdale hotels fill up quickly.

We’ll see you there! Make sure to Join MyRideisMe.com so we can feature your car next time!

Any comments?  Which shot is your favorite? Leave comments below. (Or I’ll assume my writing’s perfect and every word’s spot-on!)

12th ANNUAL JFR HOLIDAY CAR SHOW-Tons-o-toys!

Interview with Austin Coil about drag racing today Click to read it…

12th ANNUAL JFR HOLIDAY CAR SHOW A HUGE SUCCESS

(story starts below)

Press Release from John Force Racing:

12th ANNUAL JFR HOLIDAY CAR SHOW A HUGE SUCCESS

YORBA LINDA, CA (December 6, 2009) — Mother Nature and the people of Southern California cooperated to make the 12th annual John Force Racing Holiday Car Show one of the biggest in the events history. Ominous clouds made brief appearances over the 14-time champion’s shop but a comfortable breeze was the only weather variance all day as thousands of toys were dropped off making a mountain of memories for children this Christmas season. From 10 a.m. until well after 4 p.m. today toys, stuffed animals and games poured into the John Force Racing shop as fans filled the streets. Tens of thousands of people wandered through one of the largest collections of vintage cars, trucks and street rods.

In addition to the hundreds of car club vehicles a number of specialty vehicles were on display including the Force Borthers “Nightstalker,” Funny Car which returned to competition this year in a one-off event at Norwalk, Ohio, plus Jay Leno’s 1955 Buick Roadmaster custom, a $2 million Bugatti Veyron, a collection of “monster rods” built from Peterbilt trucks and an historic Amphicar designed for road or water.

“Today was awesome. It was all about the kids and I think our fans really came through. We are having tough economic times and I know there are a lot of kids out there who might not have a very good Christmas. I hope being able to donate all these toys to the CHiPs Toy Drive will help. I want to thank all our sponsors for stepping up and helping out especially Tom McKernan and the Auto Club,” said John Force.

“I know Craig Hoelzel really worked hard on this as well as all his volunteers. I want to thank everyone who helped out to make this happen from the bottom of my heart. My hand is just about worn out from signing autographs but it is what we do and I love spending time with the fans. We have a lot of really good friends that come out every year so it is good to see everyone. I want to especially thank Tom McEwen, Jack Beckman and Cory McClenathan. Cory Mac flew straight from Germany to be here.”

Fans were treated to music by the M.O. S. Project, Adria Force Hight’s band, as well as a number of other musical acts. In-N-Out burgers were available all afternoon and fans enjoyed the burgers.

Next Page »