It’s almost time for “Last Call” before the cars and famous car people roll into Henderson, NC, for the 9th Annual East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Weekend, Friday through Sunday, October 16-17-18, 2009.  This year’s entry list for attendees of the “Shag, Shine, Show And Drag” star studded car show event is already up from last year’s event, and a record turnout is being prepared for.
   
“Last year, in 2008, with the economy suddenly slowing and gasoline over $4.00 per gallon, we were expecting the worst.  However, our event was surprisingly up slightly over 2007, which shows just how strong our fans and participants have made this event.  I guess it’s no surprise that year’s pre-entries have been coming in at a pace that has us looking at another year of impressive, double-digit growth!”,exclaimed Nancy Wilson, Vance County, Director of Tourism and Event Organizer.

It’s almost time for “Last Call” before the cars and famous car people roll into Henderson, NC, for the 9th Annual East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Weekend, Friday through Sunday, October 16-17-18, 2009.  This year’s entry list for attendees of the “Shag, Shine, Show And Drag” star studded car show event is already up from last year’s event, and a record turnout is being prepared for.
   
“Last year, in 2008, with the economy suddenly slowing and gasoline over $4.00 per gallon, we were expecting the worst.  However, our event was surprisingly up slightly over 2007, which shows just how strong our fans and participants have made this event.  I guess it’s no surprise that year’s pre-entries have been coming in at a pace that has us looking at another year of impressive, double-digit growth!”,exclaimed Nancy Wilson, Vance County, Director of Tourism and Event Organizer.
   
“I’m just amazed at how great the interest in our event is this year.  I’ve been getting calls from folks hundreds of miles and several states away, wanting information, dates and directions on how to get to Henderson, NC with their families and cars”, Ms. Wilson notes.
   
The East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame event combines all phases of the car hobby, with show cars, street rods, classics, muscle cars, antique cars and trucks, and a display of famous race cars that spans five decades of hot rodding.  Saturday’s festivities literally overwhelm the entire downtown portion of historic, antebellum Henderson, North Carolina, with enthusiast cars and trucks lining Henderson’s Main Street, side streets and off street parking lots.  Officials are predicting a turnout this year in excess of 1,500 vehicles, and 50,000+ enthusiasts.  Best of all, for spectators, the entire day is free!  Fans can walk the streets, inspect the cars and talk with the owners, sample a variety of food from vendors, enjoy two beach music bands and the famous D.J. “Koto”,from early Saturday morning until late afternoon. Two North Carolina Wineries will be offering wine tasting on Saturday.  Another amazing free perk for Saturday spectators are the great number of vintage drag race cars on hand, many accompanied by the owners, tuners and drivers who became drag racing legends.  Where else can you check out a legendary race car, talk to its owner and driver and have your photo shot with them?
   
This year’s event kicks off Friday afternoon, October 16th, at 1:00 PM, at the Ambassador Inn & Suites, Exit 215, off I-85, in Henderson.  There you can chow down on slow-smoked, Southern style barbeque (For the small price of $4.00 per person!), crunchy, tangy cole slaw and icy cold sweet tea.  As you enjoy your barbeque you’re liable to sit next to a drag racing legend, eager to swap stories as you dine.
   
Saturday’s big day starts early and ends late, and on Sunday, the golden years of drag racing live again when the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame gathers for its annual induction ceremonies, meet and greet sessions and the chance to learn more about the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees.  Photo albums, scrapbooks and memorabilia are on display at the Hall of Fame induction headquarters, Vance-Granville County Civic Center, I-85 at Exit 209 beginning at 10:00 AM, and the ceremonies begin at 12:30 PM.
   
So what’s keeping you away?  Make your plans right now to attend this already spectacular and growing, car-fun festival for all ages of car enthusiasts.  Here’s a brief run-down:

•    Friday, October 16.  Ambassador Inn & Suites, I-85 Exit 215
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Barbeque and Bullshootin!  ($4.00 per person)

•    Friday, October 16.  Host hotels: Ambassador Inn & Suites; Hampton Inn; Holiday Inn Express; Jameson Inn, Sleep Inn
Racers and Fans get-together, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, at all hotels.

•    Friday, October 16.  Raleigh Road Drive-In Cruise In. 
Hot cars compete for Best In Show Award and cruise around Henderson,
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
  Registration opens for Show, Shine Shag & Dine car show, downtown,
  7:30 AM until 11:00 AM.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
 Rock on with live entertainment by The Imitations Band, The Al Williams Band
 and Rock & Roll DJ “Koto”, 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM, followed by Show Awards
 presentations
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Rocky Pirrone’s brand new “K.S. Pittman’s A/Gas Supercharged 1933 Willys coupe” will be on display in the Main Street Race Car Pits and fired up for “cackle time”.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Al Nosse’s new “Cracklin Rose” on display in the Race Car Pits, on the Main Street Midway.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
S&S Racing Team featuring Gene Altizer’s ’48 Anglia A/Gasser, Dave Hale’s B/Gas 1940 Willys coupe and Fred Bear’s B/Gas Supercharged, ’40 Willys coupe on display in the Race Car Pits on Main Street Midway.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Bob Lee’s original ’32 Ford C/Altered coupe, “Thudershifter” on display in the Race Car Pits, Main Street Midway.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Bob Banning Dodge nitro Funny Car with driver Tom Sneden and owner Marco DeCesaris on display in the Race Car Pits, on Main Street.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
The famously beautiful “Jade Grenade”, front engine Top Fuel Dragster, recreated by master dragster builder and driver, the late Pat Foster.  Ted Thomas, one of the original Jade Grenade partners will be on hand with the car, in the Race Car Pits, on Main Street in downtown Henderson.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Joe Timney, from Maxton, NC Timing Association will be on hand to discuss his annual “flat-out speed” event for one-mile Land Speed Records at Maxton, NC.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Main Street Race Car Pits display of four of the race cars driven by legendary Ronnie “Mr. Four-Speed” Sox, of Burlington, NC.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Danny Thompson, son of internationally famous speed record holder, racer, promoter and industrialist Mickey Thompson will be on hand to sign autographed copies of his new book covering the amazing life and achievements of his dad, Mickey Thompson.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Dave Cobb’s display of the Chuck Finders built “Finders Keepers” A/Gas Supercharged ’33 Willys, in the Race Car Pits.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Brooklyn, New York’s Billy Lynch brings his fabulous front engine Top Fuel Dragster, freshly completed and the last car built by Pat Foster before his passing.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Kenny Warren’s “Virginia Twister” Funny Car, in the Race Car Pits
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Houston Platt’s original “Dixie Twister”, Chevy powered Camaro Funny Car from Atlanta, Georgia.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Native American Johnny Rocca’s famous “Tin Indian” ’50 Mercury, blown Pro/Mod.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Ewing Brothers Camaro on display in the Race Car Pits.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Hubert Platt’s and his original Ford Falcon barn find.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Sam Auxier, Jr.’s ’69 Mustang Pro Stock with Boss 429 Hemi power.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Roy Hill and one of his “Drag Racing Student” cars from his Roy Hill School of Drag Racing.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
The “Cam Man”, Harvey J. Crane, Jr., founder of Crane Cams, and one of the world’s recognized authorities on engineering design of racing camshafts.
•    Saturday, October 17, Downtown Henderson, NC
Dave Koffel, drag racing legend and his new street truck, powered by one of Dave Koffel’s “B-1” engines.
•    Sunday, October 18. Vance-Granville Civic Center, I-85 Exit 209
Everyone’s invited to attend the 2009 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame reunion.  Racer’s photo albums, scrapbooks and bench racing begins at 10:00 AM and ends at 12:30 PM.  Meet and mix with hero drag racers and personalities from days gone by.
•    Sunday, October 18. Vance-Granville Civic Center, I-85 Exit 209
2009 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame reunion.  12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, Hall of
Fame induction ceremonies begin.  Hosted by Special Hall of Fame Master of Ceremonies, TV star of “Inside Drag Racing”, Bret Kepner.  Inductees and guests reception follows.

 

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