We’re hot on the HotRod Power Tour this year. Our RV, 2010 Camaro, and 33 Ford are all traveling together across America to be a part of one of the most popular events in hot rodding today. We joined the trail in Saint Louis on Tuesday and so far we’ve had no problems other than deciding on where to eat. This year we’ve partnered with OPTIMA batteries to setup a small booth at each tour stop, which means don’t be afraid to chat with us if you are traveling along!
Most of the Power Tour will be smooth cruising for us, but that will all change when the tour stops at the OPTIMA Faceoff event on Friday. This new event is a pre-qualifier for the OPTIMA Ultimate Streetcar Invitational that happens annually in the fall. Since we’ve always been a proud supporter of the series, we will be sponsoring the autocross and entering our new 1933 Ford in the race. It should prove to be a great venue to test out the guns on our new streetrod. If you won’t be able to make it, don’t fret, we’ll be taking plenty of pictures that we will share later on.
Here is an update from Bret Voelkel who is currently on the Power Tour:
“I love the Hotrod power tour. That’s an easy statement to make…doesn’t everyone? I mean, if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here, right?
Apparently hundreds more people decided they loved the power tour this year…the crowds are just off the hook…judging by the lines for food and bathrooms!
For me this years tour is a special treat…my 12 year old son Andy is doing the tour with me. He has done the tour before, a few days at a time with me, his mom, and his sister. This year, it’s just the guys…no girls allowed! (none that he’s related to anyhow:) And were going all the way to Texas. While it’s no secret that this is a big deal to him, I’m not sure he realizes how big a deal it is for me. My travel schedule sometimes intrudes on his time with me. If I accomplish absolutely nothing tangible this week, it will likely be the best weeks of my life to date. To see a 12 year old stand up straight, look someone in the eye, and firmly shake their hand when introduced…well, burn my cars, I don’t really need them anymore!
Ok, about the tour…another bonus this week is we get to run the Optima Ultimate Streetcar Invitational on Friday at the power tour! That event includes an autocross on site at the tour and continues on Saturday at Eagle Canyon Raceway with the road course and speed-stop events. We brought our new 33 Ford for the tour and the race. Yes, were hauling it (done been called out over that). I’ve driven my share of overpowered/under creature comfort cars across the country. I’ll take my motorhome, thank you! Were also driving our 2010 Camaro with our new coil over struts and shocks. We’ll be running both at the Optima event this weekend…should be fun!
Besides the ever-present heat, rain, crowds, traffic, and expensive food, I’m seeing a return to a bit younger crowd this year. For the past 3 years or so, it seemed like the only people who could afford to take off for the tour were older retired people. This year, plenty of younger families…a great sign!
I get the privilege of seeing a LOT of friends every year on the power tour. Doing the tour is a labor of love…you won’t find anyone less than the most dedicated and knowledgeable people staffing the manufacturers booths. You know they are true hotrodders…if they weren’t you couldn’t pay them enough to do this grind! I’ll check in tomorrow with more useless news! “
Pictures from the Hot Rod Power Tour:
I am totally jealous! My 64 Vette wasn’t finished in time to make this years Tour. I will however enjoy seeing every picture I can get my hands on and continue to follow Hotrod Magazines coverage from start to finish. Have fun and good luck to everyone involved and I will see most of you in Las Vegas at the Sema show!
First year on the tour. Our 1960 el Camino did a perfect job of getting us thru the tour with no problems. A excellent test for ride techs tubular A arms ,rear end set up and the air bag system. Thanks ride tech for a great product.