Landspeed Louise receives top honors for Gazette column!

Indianapolis Motor Speedway – The 2010 All American Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) Contest winners were announced at the annual breakfast held at Indianapolis Motor Speedwway this past weekend in the shadow of the famed racetrack’s turn two. Now in its fourth decade, the annual competition attracts entries from across the nation as well as from around the world.

Goodguys Gazette columnist and former Goodguys Woman of the Year “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth earned two first place finishes: the first for Magazine Column Writing and the second for Magazine Technical Writing.

Both honors were awarded for her long-running, monthly Fuel For Thought column in the Goodguys Gazette. “Attitude, Gratitude, and Talking Race Cars” which ran in December 2010 earned the Magazine Column Writing top slot in the nation! For the Magazine Technical category win it was the January 2010 column, “Brain-Bucket Beef,” that judges gave the nod.

AARWBA President Ms. Dusty Brandel noted, “I loved to see the lady journalists finally getting proper recognition for all their hard work.”

In the male dominated motorsports world it is significant to note that women swept all three slots in Online News Reporting, finished one-two in three other categories and earned a total of 17 “podium” finishes overall for 2010. Let’s hear it for the ladies!

Congratulations from all your fans and friends at Goodguys Louise!

Double Header Event Weekend on tap as Goodguys Visit Loveland,CO and Pleasanton, CA!

The 14th Colorado Nationals gets underway this Thursday, June 2nd with the Pinkee’s Rod Shop Open House and Kick off Party! Friday through Sunday it’s all about showin’ and shinin’ at the Ranch with over 2,500 rods, customs, classics, trucks and muscle cars through 1972 vintage. In addition to the show & shine the event features vendor exhibits, a Goodguys AutoCross, Goodguys Builder’s Choice awards selected by Pinkee’s Rod Shop, swap meet & car corral, model car show and so much more!

14th Colorado Nationals Event Details:
Event Hours:
Fri 8-5
Sat 8-5
Sun 8-3
Admission:
Adults $18
Kids 7-12 $6
Registration Fees: (Registration is located at the Embassy Suites across the street from the Fairgrounds)
Weekend: $75 – includes the car & two people
Sunday Only: $40 – includes the car & two people
Swap Meet & Car Corral:
$65 per space at the event. A Sunday only spot in Swap Meet or Car Corral is $40.00
Event website: www.coloradnats.com

The 18th Summer Get-Together features two full days of action June 4 & 5 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds! Event features are numerous including a show & shine with over 2,500 American powered cars of all years, makes and models, vendor exhibits, a giant swap meet & car corral, Goodguys AutoCross, Concours d’Elegance display (inside the Young California building), a racing exhibit by the Tri Valley Quarter Midgets, Pin Striper’s “Brush Bash”, a Goodgal’s Gallery, model car show and lots more family fun!

18th Summer Get-Together Event Details:
Event Hours:
Sat 8-5
Sun 8-4
Admission:
Adults $17
Kids 7-12 $6
Registration Fees: (Registration is located at the Fairgrounds)
Weekend: $60 – includes the car & two people
Sunday Only: $40 – includes the car & two people
Swap Meet & Car Corral:
$65 per space at the event for 10×20 swap spot. Car Corral is $60 for the weekend and $40 for Sunday only.
Event Website: www.summergettogether.com

We hope to see you this weekend!

Deadline fast approaching for Goodguys all new Fan Guide!

Beginning with the Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals presented by Bridgestone in Columbus, Ohio, Goodguys will begin distributing complimentary Fan Guides to event spectators for the remaining 2011 Goodguys Events! These 36 page booklets will be given away to spectators free of charge!

The deadline for advertising materials is June 3rd! Don’t get left behind and miss a chance to share your company’s message to over one hundred thousand hot rodders and enthusiasts!

The complimentary Fan Guides will include valuable information regarding the history of Goodguys, event overviews, membership information, sponsor coverage, and much more. This is a great way to get in front of your potential customers: the Goodguys Event Attendees! Here’s a quick overview of the new Goodguys Fan Guide!

* 36 pages
* Each advertising space is a full page (5 ½”w x 8 ½”h)
* 100,000 guides will be printed & distributed
* Ad Space Reservation Due Date: June 3rd
* Artwork Due Date: June 10th

To get on board and advertise in the Goodguys Fan Guide and for pricing information, contact Mike Koppel with Goodguys! Phone: 925.218.9154 or E-mail: MikeK@good-guys.com

Pinkee’s Rod Shop to Host 14th Colorado Nationals Kick Off Party!

The annual Pinkee’s Rod Shop/Goodguys Colorado Nationals Kick-Off Party is set for Thursday afternoon June 2nd! Get your 14th Colorado Nationals off to a great start by partying at Pinkee’s! The party gets started at 4pm.

Eric Peratt and his family and the entire Pinkee’s staff always roll out the red carpet for Goodguys offering great food and drinks, live music and tons of parking! Attendees will also receive a FREE gift this year from Almost Famous Design!

Peratt will be a busy man all weekend as he’ll also be selecting the “Builder’s Choice” awards at the 14th Colorado Nationals. This is a great opportunity to revel in some hot rod fellowship, have some eats and get your weekend off to a good start! For directions, visit www.pinkeesrodshop.com

Puyallup Friday Night Drags To Feature Nitro Funny Cars!

The Northwest’s quickest and fastest Nitro Funny Cars are coming to the Goodguys Friday Night Drags, July 22nd at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington! Goodguys are proud to announce a special, one night only match race between “The Northwest Hitter” Bucky Austin and “Mr Explosive” Mark Sanders! Austin and Sanders will make two runs during the evening filling the air with nitro fumes and lighting up the night sky with header flames!

(Bucky Austin…”The Northwest Hitter”)

The giant evening also features an 8 car blown alcohol dragster show from the Northwest Top Eliminator Association as well as five eliminator classes! We’ve also expanded the event hours and moved the entire program up two hours to accommodate the large eliminator fields in hopes of finishing the event prior to the 10pm track curfew.

If you’re a registered participant at the 24th Pacific Northwest Nationals in Puyallup make sure and bring your rod, custom or muscle car out to the drags! After you’ve paid your adult admission to the drags, your event window sticker will get your ride inside Pacific Raceways to the show car parking area!

Here’s a look at the classes to be run that evening along with the new event hours:

Eliminator Classes (NHRA Heritage Series Rules Apply):
Hot Rod I ’54 & Earlier – 7.50-11.99
Hot Rod II ’54 & Earlier – 12.00 & Up
Street Machine I ’55-’72 7.50-11.99
Street Machine II ’55-’72 12.00 & Up
Comp (NOS & Electronics OK) 7.50 & Up

New Event Hours:
Gates Open – 12pm
Tech Opens – 1pm
Time Trails – 2pm
Final Eliminations – 5pm

For technical racing questions, contact John Drummond (johnd@good-guys.com)

For a look at the 24th Pacific Northwest Nationals, visit www.pacificnorthwestnats.com

Vintage Fire Truck Exhibit Set For East Coast Nationals in Rhinebeck!

If you’re headed to Rhinebeck June 24, 25 & 26 for the 20th annual Goodguys East Coast Nationals you’re in for a real treat! A gathering of over 25 vintage Fire Trucks from in and around Dutchess County will be featured in a special exhibit throughout the weekend.

(This 1950 700 series American La france 750PJO belonging to Craig Elderkin will be part of the display)

The trucks belong to both private collectors as well as local fire departments in Dutchess County and include such classics as an 1898 Horse Drawn Ladder Truck, 1921 Model T Ford Pumper, 1936 Mack JR Pumper, 1949 Ford Sanford Pumper, 1950 Mack Pumper, 1955 American La France 85′ Ladder Truck, 1967 Oren Pumper and many others including a 9/11 tribute truck from the FDNY.

The exhibit will be located on the infield area. Bring your cameras! For more visit www.eastcoastnats.com

18th Summer Get-Together to Feature Classic Car Concours, Midget Racing and More!

The 18th Summer Get-Together, June 4 & 5 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds will have something for all car guys & gals! In addition to the outdoor show & shine with 2500-plus American powered cars of all years, makes & models, the swap meet & car corral, Goodguys AutoCross, vendor exhibits, arts & crafts and Pin striper’s Brush Bash several other marquee attractions await show goers! Here’s a look at some of the excitement!

Concours d’Elegance!
Inside the spacious Young California Building Goodguys will hold the popular Concours d’Elegance exhibit featuring regal 30’s era Packards, Bentley’s, Cadillac La Salles and other concourse style beauties. The NorCal Packard Club, the Classic Car Club of America, Horseless Carriage and the Blackhawk Automotive Museum will participate in the event. Over 40 classics will be on display for your viewing pleasure!

Tri-Valley Quarter Midgets!
The popular club of junior midget racers will hold racing exhibitions both days. A field of over 25 cars will enter the competition which will feature a selection of different age groups and classes. The track will be located in the Southwest corner of the paved swap meet lot near Gate #2. Session times are 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm both days. You won’t believe how hard these little guys race!

An entire weekend of Goodguys Goodtimes awaits you! Plus you’ll have a chance to win a 1969 Chevelle courtesy of J Rockcliff Realtors and Live 105 as well as a 2011 5.0 Liter GT Mustang! For complete event details visit www.summergettogether.com

Marolf to Represent PEAK Performance in Goodguys Sponsor Shootout Autocross

The 1st annual Goodguys Sponsor Shootout AutoCross will be held Sunday, July 10th @ 9am at the Ohio Expo Center in conjunction with the Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals presented by Bridgestone in Columbus, OH. All 12 Goodguys Autocross sponsors (Ridetech, Optima, Gateway Classic Mustang, Gearstar, Autometer, Afco, Roadster Shop, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, Speed by Spectre, Hotchkis Performance and PEAK) will field entries in the competition.

During the coming weeks we’ll take a look at each driver and their competition entry. Here’s a peek at the PEAK Performance Products team entry.

Peak Performance Products is being represented by the newly built 48 Hour Camaro with RideTech Product Development Director Britt Marolf driving. Britt has been involved in circle track racing all his life and in autocross and road course events since 2006.

The ‘67 Camaro runs a Lingenfelter 580 hp LS3 engine, Muncie 4 speed with a Gearvendors overdrive, Moser WaveTrac rearend, ForgeLine wheels, BFG tires, and the new RideTech Triple Adjustable coilover suspension package.

Children’s Dish Set Makes Kids Happy!

Do you have a little Goodguy in your life? Well we’ve got a deal for you! Check out these JUST DELIVERED Children’s 5 piece Dish Set! This Food Safety certified 5-piece melamine dish set is complete with sectioned plate, bowl, cup, spoon and fork! Get yours today for only $15 plus shipping and handling.

They’re guaranteed to make that mac & cheese go down smoother and way cooler! Click here to order today!

Nashville Nationals Kickoff Party Tonight at Advanced Plating!

After a one year hiatus due to the terrible flood of 2010, Goodguys and Advanced Plating have teamed up yet again to present the 6th Bridgestone Nashville Nationals Kickoff Party! The party is scheduled this evening at the Advanced Plating facility in Nashville!

The kickoff party will run from 4-8pm and features plenty of hot rod parking, live music, barbecue dinner and plant tours! Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to tour one of the nation’s premier plating facilities, get some good eats and meet some genuinely nice people!

For a closer look at the Goodguys 6th Bridgestone Nashville Nationals visit www.nashvillenats.com
To see what’s happening at Advanced Plating, visit them online here: http://advancedplating.com/

Goodguys Sponsor Shootout Autocross coming to 14th PPG Nationals in Columbus!

The 1st annual Goodguys Sponsor Shootout AutoCross will be held Sunday, July 10th @ 9am at the Ohio Expo Center in conjunction with the Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals presented by Bridgestone in Columbus, OH. All 12 Goodguys AutoCross sponsors (Ridetech, Optima Batteries, Gateway Classic Mustang, Gearstar Performance, Autometer, Afco, Roadster Shop, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, Speed by Spectre, Hotchkis Performance and PEAK Performance) will field entries in the competition.

The competition format for the Shootout is a 12 car elimination ladder featuring 2 car pairings. Based on the 12 entries qualifying, the winner will end up needing to make 4 winning laps around the course. The event is generating a lot of buzz throughout the AutoCross community. “The recognition and bragging rights associated with being the winner of the 1st annual Goodguys Sponsor Shootout is a major feather in the cap for these great sponsors,” said Ed Capen of Goodguys. “It’s going to be a great event with fierce competition. Between drivers David and Mary Pozzi along with Mike Maier, you’ve got over 15 SCCA National Championships between them.”

The driver’s list does indeed read like a who’s who of AutoCross competition. The event will feature Mike Maier (driving for Bridgestone), Mary Pozzi (Hotchkis), David Pozzi (Optima Batteries), Bret Voelkel (Ridetech), Brit Marolf (PEAK Performance), Phil Gerber (The Roadster Shop), Brandy Morrow (Speed by Spectre), Brian Finch (Gateway Classic Mustang), Roger Burman (Gearstar Performance), Ryan Mathews (AutoMeter), Kyle Tucker (BF Goodrich) and Stacy Tucker (Afco).

During the coming weeks we’ll take a look at each driver and their competition entry.

Here’s a look at the Ridtech team car and driver. “RideTech Nation” will be represented by company president Bret Voelkel in his 69 Mustang. “We use these cars to continually refine our suspension products,” said Voelkel. “I haven’t had the Mustang out for a couple of years…it’s good to bring it out again and see how some of our new products are working!”

Bret’s Mustang runs a 630hp small block Ford engine and is currently on RideTech’s new Triple Adjustable ShockWaves, Moser 9” rearend, and BFG tires.

RideTech was the originator of the AutoCross events at Goodguys in 2006. Bret has been involved in autocross and track day events since 2004 and is a front runner at nearly all Goodguys AutoCross events.

Stay tuned right here to Hot News as we’ll be previewing all contestants and their vehicles

2011 Hot Rod Week Daily Schedule Released!

It’s never too early to look ahead to Hot Rod Week! Hot Rod Week is a special 4-day guided driving tour to shops and places of interest in the San Francisco Bay Area and other close by regions in Northern California. Hot Rod Week serves as a fun activity for locals as well as out of town visitors attending the annual West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton.

Four jam-packed days of hot rodding fun are on tap this year! No registration is required and there is no fee! Just show up at the Pleasanton Hilton at 8am each morning, get a tour map and head off with the pack to join the Hot Rod Week Fun! All tours leave the back parking lot of the Hilton at 8:30am sharp!

Monday 8/22 – San Francisco Peninsula
Hot Rod Week 2011 opens with a short drive over to the peninsula to the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. This astounding collection of flying machines will appeal to all hot rodders and gear heads! Hiller Aviation is where the first ever helicopter was manufactured! From there we’ll head to Roy Brizio Street Rods and their amazing Hot Rod factory to see what they’re up to. Next door to Brizio’s is the Sanderson Headers factory which is always a cool tour.

Tuesday 8/23 – Sacramento Area
Day two we’ll head to California’s Capitol City, long a hot bed for hot rodding, with stops at American Past Times Hot Rod Shop, Rods R Us, Blue Collar Customs, the Gearhead Garage and finally to Roseville Rod & Custom – builder’s of several Goodguys Terrific 12 award winning vehicles. This will be a full day of great cruisin’, great shops and lots of highway miles!

Wednesday 8/24 – South Bay Area
The Hot Rod Week tour moves to the Silicon Valley for day three and kicks off with a stop at Gambino Kustoms. Known for traditional hot rods and elaborate flake and pearl paint schemes, host Alex Gambino will make y’all feel right at home. From Gambino’s we’ll head north to San Jose to take a look at Dennis Varni’s “Speed Nymph” Garage featuring his record setting Bonneville race cars and other exciting toys like his AMBR winning ’29 Ford roadster. Dick Deluna’s “Toy Box” collection is up next which features an extensive array of cars and motorized machines. We’ll finish up the day at the spectacular “Sparky’s Hot Rod Garage and Event Center” in San Carlos for a look at collector Joe Bullock’s private collection.

Thursday 8/25 – East Bay
Hot Rod Week 2011 wraps up with a tour of the East Bay Muscle Cars facility in the delta community of Brentwood. See their multi-award winning ’70 Mustang logo car plus other cutting edge projects including hot rods. From Brentwood we’ll head west to Concord to visit Andy’s Tee Shirts! Andy’s has been printing Goodguys event tee shirts and thousands of other colorful hot rod shirts for over 30 years! We’ll end the tour at the Hot Rod Garage of Randy Driskell. See his shop and an amazing collection of old hot rod parts and neon signs!

Friday, August 26 through Sunday August 28th it’s time for the Goodguys 25th West Coast Nationals. An entire weekend of good times is on hand for the silver anniversary of the West Coast Nationals!

Be there or be square!

Goodguys 6th Bridgestone Nashville Nationals set for this weekend at LP Field!

The Goodguys 6th Bridgestone Nashville Nationals rumbles into LP Field this weekend bring over 2,000 hot rods, classic cars, customs, muscle machines and tricked out trucks to the Music City! Joining the 1972 & earlier vintage vehicles will be vendor exhibits, Builder’s Choice awards by Bobby Alloway, Goodguys AutoCross with action in four classes, live entertainment, swap meet & cars for sale corral, model car & pedal car show and lots more family fun!

Returning to this year’s show is the always exciting Kick Off party at Steve & Sheri Tracy’s Advanced Plating. The kickoff party runs from 4-8pm Thursday 19th and features plenty of hot rod parking, live music, barbecue dinner and plant tours! Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to tour one of the nation’s premier plating facilities, get some good eats and meet some genuinely nice people!

It’s a Goodguys party in Music City this weekend. The Goodguys 6th Bridgestone Nashville Nationals at LP Field…Be there!

Event Hours:
Fri 5/20 8am to 5pm
Sat 5/21 8am to 5pm
Sun 5/22 8am to 3pm

Admission Prices:
General $18
Kids (7-12): $6
Under 6: Free
Parking: $5
Registration Fees: (1972 & earlier vehicles only – Registration located at the Nashville Marriott
Three Day Registration: $75 (includes car and two people)
Sunday-Only Registration: $40 (includes car and two people)
Swap Meet:
Spaces are $65 at the event, swap set up begins Thursday at NOON
Car Corral:
Car corral fee is $65 for the weekend- set up begins Thursday at NOON

For a complete look at this event, including the entire event schedule click here:
www.nashvillenats.com

18th Summer Get-Together Swap Meet Spaces up for Grabs!

Got some “stuff” you’d like to sell? The swap meet & car corral at the 18th Summer Get-Together June 4 & 5 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds is THE place to buy or sell used auto parts, turn key car, memorobila and equipment!

Spaces are filling fast but we have plenty of room and prime spots still available! Signing up is easy! Visit www.ggswapmeets.com to register online, download a registration form and find lots fo helpful information such as set up times, gate entry information and more!

To register by phone call Andrew (925) 218-9114 or Edward (925) 218-9127. Go online or call today before all the good spots are taken!

14th PPG Nationals Seminar Schedule Announced!

Goodguys is proud to announce an exciting lineup of seminars at the 14th PPG Nationals, July 8, 9 & 10 in Columbus! For the first time ever, the popular how-to seminars will be conducted both Friday, July 8th and Saturday, July 9th inside the Ohio Building at the Ohio Expo Center. This year’s seminar lineup reads like a hot rodding “who’s who” with the industry’s biggest names attending.

The seminars provide both event participants and spectators with a unique interactive format designed to introduce the latest products and technical advances in the rod & custom industry! Here’s a complete list of all companies who will participate in the seminars, what topics they will cover and when the seminars will be held!

Friday, July 8th
9:00–10:00am – Edelbrock – American Performance “Made in The USA” and Street Rodder Value
10:00–11:00am – To be Determined
11:00–12:00 – Kicker – Car Audio 101
1:00–2:00pm – Wilwood Engineering – Performance brake systems
2:00–3:00pm – Spectre Performance- Easy and affordable ways to gain horsepower for your car
3:00-4:00 – Fatman Fabrications- Hot Rod Suspension and Chassis Troubleshooting

Saturday, July 9th
9:00–10:00 – Optima Batteries – Performance Power Source
10:00–11:00 – Classic Instruments – Custom and Retrofit Gauges
11:00-12:00 – Detroit Speed – Hot Rod and Muscle Car Suspension
1:00–2:00 – Vintage Air – The Basics of Performance Air Conditioning.
2:00–3:00 – PPG – Paint and Prep
3:00-4:00 – Kicker- Car Audio 101

Route 2 Media Produces first Goodguys Video of 2011 Season

Back in February, we mentioned that our friends at Route 2 Media would be filming seven Goodguys events this season, creating a series of music videos that capture the sights and sounds of a Goodguys Rod & Custom Association event. They’ve just put the finishing touches on the Goodguys 11th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals video and it’s amazing!

The Route 2 Media gang will be back in action to film the following Goodguys events this summer – the 6th Bridgestone Nashville Nationals, 20th Heartland Nationals in Des Moines, 14th PPG Nationals in Columbus, 25th West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, the 1st WIX Filters Speedway Nationals and the 14th Southwest Nationals. If you’re attending any one of these events, shine up your ride and smile for the camera!

Collector Car Appreciation Day set for Friday, July 8th

SEMA, ARMO and the HRIA have announced Friday July 8, 2011 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. SEMA and its councils are now working to secure a Congressional resolution to recognize the day’s significance.

The biggest event in the country on the 2nd annual Collector Car Appreciation Day is a Goodguys event of course! The 14th PPG Nationals presented by Bridgestone kicks off Friday, July 8th bringing close to 7,000 1972 & earlier vehicles together at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH. In honor of the CCAD, Goodguys will parade all of the contestants for the 2011 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year award throughout the fairgrounds as they make their way to the AutoCross road course from the Builder’s Choice arena as well as read a proclamation honorning CCAD at the Saturday Night, July 9th Street Machine and Street Rod of the Year awards reception.

“Last year, the United States Senate helped launch the first national Collector Car Appreciation Day by passing Senate Resolution 513 at our request,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “As a result, thousands of Americans gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. As we move forward, SEMA’s commitment to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry through its projects and programs is evident in this special day.”

Vintage Air’s Rick Love, Chairman-elect of SEMA’s Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Council said, “The industry endeavors to preserve our nation’s automotive heritage while providing well-paying, high-skilled jobs nationwide. Collector Car Appreciation Day is a singular tribute to this industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports.”

For more visit www.sema.org

A Closer Look at the Goodguys 2011 Grundy Custom Rod of the Year award

The Goodguys 2011 Grundy Worldwide Insurance Custom Rod of the Year award criteria has been modified from previous years. Under the older award criteria, a custom rod was defined as a custom car which tastefully blended traditional customizing techniques with modern day performance, engineering, components and styling.

( Bob Rosencrant’s 1949 Plymouth is the perfect example of a Custom Rod that fits both the older as well as the new criteria. Custom body modifications as well as drivetrain and suspension mods work well here. )

Those types of Custom Rods are still out there and are still eligible to win today, but out of necessity, Goodguys needed to open the award to stock bodied vehicles which fall more under the “Resto Mod” style (stock bodied 50s and 60s cars with custom wheels, interior and modified suspension).

Here’s a closer look at this year’s award, where finalists will be selected and the new criteria. You’ll also notice photographic examples explaining the differences between styles of Custom Rods old and new.

Goodguys 2011 Grundy Worldwide Insurance Custom Rod of the Year:
A finalist will be selected at each of the following events:
2nd Spring Nationals, March 11-13, Scottsdale, AZ
1st Spring Lone Star Nationals, March 18-20, Ft Worth, TX
6th Nashville Nationals, May 20-22, Nashville, TN
14th Colorado Nationals, June 3-5, Loveland, CO
20th Heartland Nationals, July 1-3, Des Moines, IA
10th Midwestern Nationals, Sept 2-4, Kansas City
*The winner will be selected from the six finalists chosen at these events. The winner will be announced Friday, October 7th on www.good-guys.com!

Who’s Eligible: Custom Rods 1949 through 1972 vintage.
How to Enter the Competition: Attend any of the six events listed above in your custom rod, park in the “Builders Choice” area and you’ll have a chance to be selected as a finalist! One finalist will be chosen from each of the six events listed.
Basic Criteria: A custom rod is defined as a custom car which tastefully blends customizing techniques or factory stock bodies with modern day performance, engineering, components and styling.

Lobeck Memorial Award to Be Presented at Goodguys PPG Nationals

Cleveland, OH – To celebrate the memory of Midwest Hot Rodding icon Barry Lobeck, Ginny Lobeck and the staff at Lobeck’s V8 Hot Rod Parts in Cleveland will select a new award in his memory at the Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals, July 8-10 in Columbus, OH. He passed away January 6th, 2011. Starting this year, the award will be selected annually at the Goodguys PPG Nationals marking a new tradition in his native Ohio.

A staple of the Midwest hot rod scene since 1974 when his flamed ’40 Ford coupe landed on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, Lobeck and his wife Ginny operated Lobeck’s V8 Shop & Hot Rod Parts since 1984 as well as the Just a Hobby chassis shop in Cleveland, Ohio. Together they turned Lobeck’s into a “one stop shop” for hot rodders offering everything from door hinges to complete turnkey rods & customs.

A native of Springfield, Lobeck was one of the most popular hot rod builders outside California, building a decades-long string of low slung traditionally styled hot rods. Goodguys enjoyed a longstanding business and personal relationship with Barry Lobeck over the years and look forward to being the host event of the Barry Lobeck Memorial Award.

“It’s a privilege to honor Barry in Columbus,” said Goodguys President Marc Meadors. “He was a towering figure in the Midwest hot rod scene. His influence was felt nationwide both from a design and manufacturing standpoint. He enjoyed driving a hot rod to Columbus and hanging out with his friends and business partners. This will be a great way to honor his legacy.”

The award itself will be perpetual, allowing each recipient to hold on to it for a year. The winner’s names will be engraved on the award before it is passed on to future recipients.

Muncie Dragway to Host Hot Rod of the Year Contestants

The Goodguys 2011 Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year award is one of the many highlights of the 1st WIX Filters Speedway Nationals, September 16-18 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Although the award will be selected at a new event, the criteria will not change, but several details will change now that the award will be selected at a new venue, most notably Muncie Dragway (http://www.munciedragway.com) will now host the 1/8th mile fun runs required by all contestants. Built in 1959 by Doug and Ann De Bord, Muncie Dragway is a premier drag racing facility located in Albany, Indiana. The track plays host to over 60 events annually including the Nostalgia Nationals as well as the Night of Fire. It features the 2nd longest runoff of any drag strip in America, recently renovated track surface, all concrete launch pad and is set up to host 1/8th mile as well as 1/4-mile competition.

2010 Hot Rod of the Year winner Floyd Williams!

Here’s a complete look at the award, the criteria, how to enter and the method used to determine the winner.

Goodguys 2011 Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year
Presented at: 1st WIX Filters Speedway Nationals, Sept 16-18, Indianapolis, IN
Who’s Eligible: Hot Rods 1948 and earlier
Basic Criteria: It makes noise; it’s regularly street driven, has attitude and screams “Hot Rod” No cream puffs!
How to Enter/Details: Cars interested in competing for this award need to enter the “Hot Rod of the Year” staging area, Friday morning, Sept. 16th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum (located on the infield) at 10am. The hot rods will then take a 53-mile trip north to “A Summer Place” (‘50s style diner and theme park) in Sharpsville for lunch. From “A Summer Place” the contestants will take the 45-mile trip over to the new Muncie Dragway in Albany for the required 1/8th mile drag strip fun runs (Times and speeds posted during the drag & brag will not determine the overall winner but style points do count!). From Muncie Dragway, all contestants will take the 75-mile trip back to the Speedway. On Saturday, September 17th all Hot Rod of the Year contestants will park together for the day. The selection committee will look over the cars to determine the five finalists. The top five finalists will be announced Saturday afternoon. For Sunday the 18th, the five finalists will be parked together inside the winner’s circle. The winner will be announced at the Sunday awards ceremony.

If you’ve got a ’48 or older hot rod that makes noise, looks good and has a bad attitude, enter the competition for the Goodguys 2011 Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year Competition!