J’s News, August, 2007

There’ll be all kinds of vendors for your shopping enjoyment.  You’ll always remember the fun you had choosing from the best in street rod parts, T-shirts, antique license plates, collectable die-cast cars—you name it!  Be sure to pick up a copy of Cruisin’ Times Magazine as you stroll, so you can keep up with the freshest racing news and information around. 

We know how much you enjoy drag racing and the finest in restored antique autos, but what could be more exciting than meeting drag racing greats like Marco DeCesaris and his “Cotton Picker, along with the original driver owner and builder, NASCAR champs David Pearson and Cotton Owens up close and personal?  Not much, except maybe chatting with racing greats like Tommy Grove, swapping stories with Hubert Platt and admiring his original ’65 Falcon “Georgia Shaker III”, reminiscing with Joe Jacono and the Rollin’ Stoned funny car, and seeing the 3 Willys and the S&S Racing Team do their thing.  Gene Altizer will be there with his new clone, Bunky Bobo is bringing the “Hemi”, Hurricane and Johnny Rocca will be on hand to see the “Tin Indian” unveiled by Arron Pilatzke, the new owner.  Be one of the first to get a look at a part of drag racing history!  Bob Rosethy will be showing the sidewinder hemi he recently discovered and restored.  Don’t you dare miss “Jolly Dolly” (owned by the late, great Bob Bernardon) in its first appearance here in Henderson! 

Show, Shine, Shag & Dine 2007, and the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion also brings your chance to get an autograph—and maybe a picture—from the famous Tom Sneden and the “Bounty Hunter”.  Bob Banning and David Reitz are coming to provide you with an instant piece of drag racing memorabilia (in the form of their autographs) as well.  An opportunity to enjoy good times and create great memories doesn’t come along every day, and it just wouldn’t be the same without you!  

As you stroll the historic main street of beautiful downtown Henderson, you’ll be listening to “Koto” the famous cars how DJ spin your favorite tunes from the ‘60s and 70s, to remind you of the days when life (and your car) was hands-on and gas was cheap!  The Castaways and the Attractions will be there to bring you the best in live beach music, too.  Come see Y&R Davis’ ’33 Willy’s museum piece restoration, originally owned and driven by the outstanding Charlie Garrett. 

We’ll welcome other drag racing greats and their cars: The beautiful Phil Bonner Mustang, owned by Don Fezel, which has just undergone a complete restoration; Ed Kohler will be there with his original “King Kong” Angelia, and Art Carr (Art Carr Transmissions), Hank Gabbert’s coming to display a showpiece, the ’63 Impala driven by Larry Wilson.  Bill Dismuke will make his first appearance at our show with his “T-Bolt”, and you can tell everyone that matters you were THERE!  Jerry Baltes and his restored dragster will surely give fans a terrific blast from the past.  The Hahn & Turner dragster and its original owners and driver are coming to town, and YOU should be there too! 

Where else in the world except at Show, Shine, Shag & Dine 2007 and the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion can you talk shop with the “Who’s Who” of east coast drag racing?  Ed Miller, Butch & Gene Mori, Dan Smoker, Max Hurley, Wally Pirrone, Joe Weis, Randy Payne, Jack Mussili, Earl Phillips, Steve Gibbs, Ernie Schorb, Ed Bliss, Ed Hedrick, Billy Lynch, Jim Amos, Tony Feil, Billy Holt, Bud Faubel, Bret Kepner, Herman Lewis, Scotty McLendon Milt Hunt and many others will all be in the same place at the same time October 19-21 for your drag racing pleasure! It promises to be the best event ever.  There’ll be cruise-ins Friday and Saturday Night at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theater—bring your very own classic car and show it off under the MoonGlo!

We look forward to giving our esteemed car show participants a taste of Southern Hospitality at Superior Chrysler Dodge Jeep’s Southern Style BBQ Cookout and cruise-in on Friday from noon to 6 pm.  Come on down and make yourselves at home in our great city.  Host motels will be treating registered guests to cordial receptions from 6 pm to 9 pm on Friday night, to show you just how much we appreciate all you do to bring the thrill and the nostalgia of drag racing to our neck of the woods.  Whew!  We’ve got an exhilarating, action-packed fall weekend planned especially for YOU! 

To cap it all off, don’t miss the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Induction Presentation at the Vance-Granville Civic Center on Sunday.  Drag race legends that participated in the sport during the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Don’t you want to be there when drag racing’s innovators, pioneers and top competitors get recognized for all the excitement and fun they’ve brought to the sport and the fans?  You certainly don’t want to be left out of the conversation on Monday morning when all the other aficionados are discussing how great it was!  Make your plans to attend this great show today!  Bring the wife, the kids, your mom, and your grandpa—there’s something for everyone!  Invite your friends along, and they just might catch themselves on The Outdoor Channel’s “Inside Drag Racing” later in the year.  It’ll be aired a few times, so you’ll be sure to catch it!  What could be more enjoyable than a bright, crisp October weekend spent doing what you enjoy with people you love?  Nothing at all! We’ll see you there.