Hot Rod Power Tour 2018

[jeffg1010]

A few weeks ago, I seriously contemplated selling the Blazer, but a heart to heart with my 12 year old son changed my perspective. So, I’ve set a goal to have it on the road by the first of June so I can run at least one leg of the Hot Rod Power Tour. I haven’t done it since I sold the Burb in 2012 and it’s ending in Charlotte (again). The Blazer resto has been dormant for several years so this should be a good shot in the arm. She won’t be painted, but she’ll be legal. Regardless, she may not be perfect, but when her top is off, everybody stares.

So, this thread is to start the conversation. Who’s in?

Here is the 2018 schedule:

Saturday, June 9: Bowling Green, KY @ Beech Bend Raceway Park

Sunday, June 10: Chattanooga, TN — Location pending

Monday, June 11: Birmingham, AL @ Hoover metropolitan Stadium

Tuesday, June 12: Hampton, GA @ Atlanta Motor Speedway

Wednesday, June 13: Darlington, SC @ Darlington Raceway

Thursday, June 14: Raleigh, NC — Location pending

Friday, June 15: Concord, NC @ zMax Dragway (Charlotte Motor Speedway)

[zach_carver]

Id like to see that blazer out there! I plan to do the entire long haul in my C10.

[jeffg1010]

It would be a good year for folks in the southeast to long haul. It would be a big loop for me but it won’t be ready for that

[hewittca]

This years Power Tour circles around me here in Winston Salem NC. I'm definitely going to hit up one (maybe two) stops, but I can't make it for the whole thing. I was thinking of going to Raleigh and then following through to Charlotte. My only concern with that is the suggested route is 40 to 85 which is not a pleasant drive considering weekday traffic and constant construction on 85. I've never done the Power Tour, but maybe most guys will take back roads along the way?

[67ChevyRedneck]

If you live in the NC/SC/TN area and you've ever wanted to do an entire power tour, THIS is the one to do. When will it "circle" our states ever again??

Of the 3 I've done (I shorthauled one) they were all in the 3,500+ mile range to do the entire trip.

From my home in Greenville I'm estimating only 2400-2500 mile range this time.

Again, if you live in or around the "circle" the tour is doing this year, I highly recommend running the whole tour if you've ever wanted to do the whole thing.

My 65 Mustang has handled the other tours, the 20+mpg (average) with OD has been nice, but it's close enough to home, and short enough, I might take the C10. It does have a 700R but with the traffic you see on the tour, I'll probably only average 11-12 mpg. I'll also look at the weather. The mustang handles great in rain, the C10 handles like driving on banana peels.

[jeffg1010]

Originally Posted by hewittca

This years Power Tour circles around me here in Winston Salem NC. I'm definitely going to hit up one (maybe two) stops, but I can't make it for the whole thing. I was thinking of going to Raleigh and then following through to Charlotte. My only concern with that is the suggested route is 40 to 85 which is not a pleasant drive considering weekday traffic and constant construction on 85. I've never done the Power Tour, but maybe most guys will take back roads along the way?

Seems like some folks are too concerned with getting a good parking spot at the next venue, so while backroads would be the cool way to do it (especially on a run as short as Darlington/Raleigh or Raleigh/Charlotte, some people opt for the shortest route

[67ChevyRedneck]

Who are these "a lot of people?"

The fun is the drive. After the first day I usually only go to the venue to pick up swag and leave unless it's a drag race or autocross event place.

Hewitt, they don't release the route until a few weeks before the tour starts and it's "typically" backroads and 2 lane roads, but depending on location, there is usually a short interstate drive as part of it. My group usually sticks to the route or off the interstates unless necessary (like when my car died in 2015 and it delayed us 3 hours).

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Hewitt, they don't release the route until a few weeks before the tour starts and it's "typically" backroads and 2 lane roads, but depending on location, there is usually a short interstate drive as part of it. My group usually sticks to the route or off the interstates unless necessary (like when my car died in 2015 and it delayed us 3 hours).

That's good to know. I just assumed it would take interstates since that was the most direct route. I was just imagining 100s of classics rolling down 85 with workday/construction traffic and that does not seem like a fun time. If it sticks to some of the older highways and routes that would be enjoyable.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Oh hell no. The best part is rolling through all the small towns.

When it went through Texas, so many of the roads were 4 lane and the towns were so spread out it was kinda boring, but the ones in the midwest/southeast have a lot to see along the way.

I made this album public. Check out all the cool stuff we did/saw:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...2712028&type=3

[jeffg1010]

I'll try this again... I've never long hauled, I also believe the drive would be the best part of the Power Tour, but I have heard from former participants, that some folks will skip the morning meeting, leave early and take the shortest route so they can get the best parking spots at the next venue. Maybe it doesn't occur? Who knows? I dont care really because I would want the full experience. I've gone back and edited my former post so it isn't taken the wrong way.

[67ChevyRedneck]

There*used* to be a morning driver's meeting. They only do it at the start of the tour now, and if I'm remembering right, they do it now on saturday evening because the tour has gotten so large (the first official drive to the next venue is sunday morning).

Most people stay a little "down the road" of the venues each day and just pick up the route from wherever they can.

I'm sure some people do that, but I think for the most part, the venues suck, unless there is something to do that day (like drag racing). They're typically HUGE race tracks, or somewhere with a giant parking lot. It's almost always hot as balls with no shade. I can't imagine why you would rush there just to sit out in the sun. My group typically arrives around 3, hangs around for a bit, hotel, group dinner, then hang out in the hotel parking lot with 20-30 other car guys.

It's something you just have to experience.

Some people pick a small town along the route, and watch cars go by for an hour or two. I'll set up a chair near an entrance/exit at a venue that has trees or shade and watch cars roll in/out for a couple hours at a venue or two. After all the driving during the week, you don't feel like walking around a venue looking at cars.

For me, it was supposed to be a one time bucket list item. But it was so much fun I want to do it every year...

[davischevy]

I am going to try to long haul again this year.

This has already been hashed, but the driving is the best part. The PT avoids the Interstates. The streets are usually lined in the small towns.

The venues are my least favorite part. It is obvious some people are balls to wall to get the best parking place at the venues, but I would much rather spend my time sitting beside the route watching the other cars.

I doubt if I even waste time on the venues this year. The motel parking lots are just as fun and I can have a beer.

It is one of my all time favorite car events.

[Grumpy old man]

This route looks like all the towns I've found trucks in

Saturday, June 9: Bowling Green, KY @ Beech Bend Raceway Park

Sunday, June 10: Chattanooga, TN — Location pending

Monday, June 11: Birmingham, AL @ Hoover metropolitan Stadium

Tuesday, June 12: Hampton, GA @ Atlanta Motor Speedway

Wednesday, June 13: Darlington, SC @ Darlington Raceway

Thursday, June 14: Raleigh, NC — Location pending

Friday, June 15: Concord, NC @ zMax Dragway (Charlotte Motor Speedway)
__________________

It looks like they decided it wouldn't be a good idea to run thru the Dragon US129 with a bunch of Classics and Muscle cars .

https://roadtrippers.com/stories/tail-of-the-dragon

NEVER drive the dragon on a dry weekend , The bikes take over and it can just be dangerous trying to avoid them coming over the center line .

[davischevy]

How close does the route get to you Grumpy?

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by davischevy

How close does the route get to you Grumpy?

Close enough for me to be there for the whole ride ,

You'll be able to tell which trucks are mine ,They will have the FOR SALE signs in the power rear window ...

[smbrouss70]

I'm going to try and do the Long Haul in the Blazer again this year. It's a much more scenic route, so I'm looking forward to it.

[Graham57a]

It looks like we are going to do the last leg of this thing from Raleigh to concord. My dad is talking about trying to do a c10 cookout/car show at his place or at the GoPro track in mooresville the day after (Saturday). Would anyone be interested or do most ppl head back home the last day?

[jeffg1010]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

It looks like we are going to do the last leg of this thing from Raleigh to concord. My dad is talking about trying to do a c10 cookout/car show at his place or at the GoPro track in mooresville the day after (Saturday). Would anyone be interested or do most ppl head back home the last day?

In 2013, we did something similar. In fact, there is a thread about it. Unfortunately, I sold the Burb later that year and there was never another one Ironically, it was also hosted at the GoPro track (then known as the Mooresville Motorplex)

We had a decent turnout of around 50 trucks, according to the photo thread we had guys from NC, SC, FL, VA, IL, OK, AR, and MO. Many were from the Power Tour and some were just local folks who wanted to come check it out. I'd say it's worth doing again. Back then, they held the Long Hauler ceremony that morning, so they were late arriving, but it was still a great turnout. Here is the link from the 2013 event. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=579307 There was a separate thread with photos from the 2013 event http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...62#post6114362 but Photobucket sucks, many of those photos will have to live in our memories. Garrett's photobucket page had some good pics http://s44.photobucket.com/user/GCnc...?sort=3&page=1

I may be able to help some, but it'll have to be after NASCAR season gets underway.

[davischevy]

The Long Haul ceremony will be Saturday morning.

I will be driving a 55 Chevy 210. Will we have to have our truck?

[jeffg1010]

Heck no, it’s more about getting together and putting names (or screennames) with faces. Last time, there was even a Pontiac Solstice at the show. (Although it DID have a 750 hp LS7 in it)

[hewittca]

I am also debating on doing the Raleigh to Charlotte run, but haven't decided yet. I have some time. In either case, I would definitely be down to come to a C10 cookout after the tour.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by davischevy

The Long Haul ceremony will be Saturday morning.

I will be driving a 55 Chevy 210. Will we have to have our truck?

By popular demand, the long hauler ceremony was moved to Friday afternoon starting in 2016. People didn't like hanging around an extra day just to get their tin sign, so it was moved to Fridays.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

By popular demand, the long hauler ceremony was moved to Friday afternoon starting in 2016. People didn't like hanging around an extra day just to get their tin sign, so it was moved to Fridays.

Good

[mdeal]

I’m down with doing this again! I Had just became a C/10 owner back in 2013 and enjoyed the meet! If y’all wanna do it in Concord,so the Long Haulers can make it earlier, that might be cool. The parking lot at Concord Mills mall is plenty big enough. I’ll keep thinking of more places to make it happen....

[Graham57a]

My parents live in Mooresville about 30 min from the drag strip and have about 4 acres of grass. My dad has a little shop that he works out of and was thinking about opening up the field to do a little get together and cookout for his customers and fellow C10 guys.