After three days in the Las Vegas Convention Center and The Sands Convention
Center, exposure to a customized 10% of the Chrysler PT Cruisers made to
date, and a pleasant lunch talking to Bev Stanley, it's nice to be back
home.
I have THE BOOK ... the over 1" thick listing of every exhibitor there. If
anyone needs addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses I'd be happy to
try and find them, just ask.
The Flatfire Streamliner was there, tucked into the cross over hall between
the two largest rooms. Mike Cook's Pontiac was out in front, almost lost in
a variety of mostly wild paint schemes and lowered cars on 20" wheels.
There were some serious race cars on display there too. They were inside in
the various booths. The most impressive to me were the import drag cars ...
front wheel drive cars that turn in the 9's in the quarter. Lots of older
(2 year old) NASCAR bodies, Formula 1 bodies, CART and IRL bodies, most
without engines and a few with something bolted into place that was probably
damaged and expendable for the sponsor's use.
The Greer-Black Prudomme car of Bruce Meyer's and the Chrisman "digger" from
the same era were also on display. Art was signing autographs on posters of
the car at the Optima Battery booth. It's great to see those cars restored
and on display.
A few of the hundreds of cars really stood out for the quality of
construction, detail, paint and general finish. The roadster built by Troy
Trepanier for Summit Racing was one of the select group for me. They drove
it across the country, starting with 3 miles on the odometer. How's that
for confidence that you've built it right? The station wagons Troy and Chip
Foose had there were both just the kind of car you'd want in your garage.
They're drivers too, not trailer queens.
I spent an afternoon with Barbara and John MacKichan just walking through
the show. People who know of the record holding C B/G streamliner John has
built were specially fun to talk to. Several other racers walking the show
too. With about 19 miles of possible aisles to cover you really need to be
in shape for this event. I was smart enough to bring some good walking
shoes. I needed them!
Interest in land-speed racing as an amateur sport is mushrooming. The
comments from manufacturers and other people at the show were very
complementary. Most of them know about the salt restoration project and the
racers involvement in Save the Salt. A very high percentage want to come
see the races on the salt.
Oh yes, I found a CD at the "SEMA Store" recorded inside and near race cars.
Sounds better than Hip-Hop to me!
Wes
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