Hot Rod Power Tour 2009

driller

driller

El Presidente
Staff member
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I plan on joining the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour this year following the All-Ford Nationals in Carlisle.

The tour starts in Madison, WI and ends in Bristol, TN. The following are the planned venues...

Saturday, June 6
Madison, WI
Alliant Energy Center

Sunday, June 7
Racine, WI
Downtown Lakefront

Monday, June 8
South Bend, IN
St. Joseph County Fairgrounds

Tuesday, June 9
Warren, MI (Detroit)
General Motors Technical Center

Wednesday, June 10
Dayton, OH
University of Dayton Arena

Thursday, June 11
Somerset, KY
The Center for Rural Development

Friday, June 12
Bristol, TN
Bristol Motor Speedway

Saturday, June 13
Bristol, TN
Bristol Motor Speedway (Long Hauler Awards)

I hope to join the tour in Warren, MI for the last three legs - Warren-MI to Dayton-OH, Dayton-OH to Somerset-KY and Somerset-KY to Bristol-TN. I know a lot of the midwest members would be close to the route, so it would be nice to see a bunch of Lincoln Mark VIII's (or whatever 'hot rod' you own) join in for some of the fun and festivities. :)

If you're even remotely interested, I suggest reserving your rooms NOW as they are filling fast. For the record, the reservations I have made...

Tue June 9
Fairfield Inn Detroit/Warren
7454 Convention Blvd
Warren, MI 48092
586-939-1700

Wed June 10
Comfort Suites Wright Patterson
5220 Huberville Avenue
Dayton, OH 45431
937-425-6498

Thur June 11
Holliday Inn Express
50 Stevie Lynn Dr
Somerset, KY 42503

Fri June 12
Courtyard Bristol
3169 Linden Dr
Bristol, VA 24202
276-591-4400

You can always cancel should you opt out, but waiting much longer will prove difficult to get any rooms, particularly ones close to the venues.

I'm looking forward to a fantastic vacation and hope to see some of you along the way! :D
 
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JP, can you tell me more about this? Like, do they travel interstates, or backroads? Planned stops, or does everyone just meet up at the end of the day?

I don't know, if I go to Carlisle, I'm passing them on the way home, but going the other direction.
 
Trixie said:
JP, can you tell me more about this? Like, do they travel interstates, or backroads? Planned stops, or does everyone just meet up at the end of the day?
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It starts each morning with the cars lining up at the venue and a driver's meeting where they discuss any late changes to the route or route advisories.

You are not absolutely required to stay on route but it is expected. Most travel in small groups. In the '07 tour I traveled with a handful of other Lincolns, only one of which was a another Mark VIII. The handful of other Lincolns were mostly Mark VIIs. You are not supposed to pass the lead pilot and everyone is supposed to play follow the leader. Usually it is a parade at first but then it begins to thin out along the way.

No specific stops along the way are actually planned but you will find large groups at fuel stops, especially in the rural areas. Usually the interstates are avoided, favoring the more 'scenic' routes which actually means for a more relaxed trip.You quickly learn to take advantage of each stop, topping off for fuel whether needed or not and stocking up on snacks and refreshments. Sometimes there are photo stops along the way.

The destination venue is a super car show along with some type of automotive activity with lots of vendor booths. In '07 there was a mini autocross at Evansville, drag racing in Memphis and then concerts at Little Rock. 'Long Haulers' are required to get their credentials checked by a certain time at each venue, but other than that there are no real time restraints.

Then of course, each evening is filled with hotel parking lot tailgate parties, group dinners and sometimes taking in the local attractions, such as Beale Street in Memphis. :D

I don't think many activities are cast in place as of yet, but rest assured there is always something to fill each waking hour of the day. I do believe they plan on drag racing in Bristol from what I've read.

Rene said:
South Bend, IN is only 20 minutes from my house!!
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Yes! You'll have to be there! How 'bout at least running a leg to Dayton after the party in South Bend??? ;)
 
Could I just stop by the GM tech center in Warren MI? I have to work that week.

Do you have to pay for this?
 
Sure! :)

Spectators are welcome but they park outside the main venue. I don't know what the admission charge is or what it would be but it's $65 to register for the tour. I believe there is a lower charge for just one leg however.
 
Well, I don't know, cause it'd be a lot considering it intersects with Carlisle, and I'm usually so tired after Carlisle, I don't know if I'd enjoy it as much as I should. I'm going to have to hold off to see what our plans are going to be and whether or not we can go to Carlisle this year even.

Then again, it makes me have renewed interest in doing something like this with Tixer's recommended route in the midwest sometime this year, as it does sound like a great time.

You do of course realize one of my major concerns is my need to stop frequently. ;) Oh, that and Hubby starting a leg of a ride with no gas in the car. (Steve and Tixer will appreciate that.)
 
Ill have to figure out how many legs I could do then. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing at least the Detroit to Dayton run.
 
Trixie said:
Well, I don't know, cause it'd be a lot considering it intersects with Carlisle, and I'm usually so tired after Carlisle, I don't know if I'd enjoy it as much as I should.
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I'm usually worn out after Carlisle as well, and both events always seem to be in lockstep with each other. When we went on the tour in '07 it was after a day's rest following Carlisle so it wasn't too bad.

jbird97 said:
Ill have to figure out how many legs I could do then. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing at least the Detroit to Dayton run.
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That would be awesome! Be sure to make reservations early even if it's just wishful thinking. ;)

FYI... Somerset, KY is actually a nice small rural recreational lake setting and the drive from Somerset to Bristol should be scenic delight. :cool:
 
Trixie, you could leave Carlisle Sunday and leisurely trek over to Detroit and wait there for the tour to meet you Tuesday. Then on Wednesday you could tool down with the tour to Dayton for one leg at least before peeling off and heading back towards Chi-town. ;)
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trixie
Well, I don't know, cause it'd be a lot considering it intersects with Carlisle, and I'm usually so tired after Carlisle, I don't know if I'd enjoy it as much as I should.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Driller
I'm usually worn out after Carlisle as well, and both events always seem to be in lockstep with each other. When we went on the tour in '07 it was after a day's rest following Carlisle so it wasn't too bad.

I'm sure the non stop Power Drinking at Carlisle had nothing to do with it... :D

Is Mrs. Drilling or any other family joining you on the power tour?

:D -J
 
They are a lot of fun, been on two of them myself. First one was 2000, some friends and I picked it up in Talladega and finished it in Panama City. One of my buddies had just finished painting this mini bike. Took it down there in my trunk. Had a lot of fun saying "yeah I got a motorcycle in the trunk, wanna see it?"

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It came back thru Birmingham as a stop in 2005. Didn't have the time off to continue on with it, but had a good time looking at all the cars that day even though a major rainstorm came thru. It cleared toward the end of the day, just in time for some cold beverages! (me on the right).

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Would love to do it after Carlisle, but that's a long drive home...:rolleyes:
 
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