Fans arriving early for the 6th Annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 13-15, Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green, Ky., will get a few special pre-event treats. On Thurs., June 12, early-bird enthusiasts can take a tour of Holley Performance Products from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., go from there on the Heacock Classic Cruise - which also includes a treasure hunt - and then end up at for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Holiday Inn University Plaza at 5 p.m.

"This is the way to really kick-off the Reunion," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, producers of the 3-day event. "Everyone participating will have lots of fun."

The day's events begin at 10 a.m. at Holley (1801 Russellville Road) where visitors can tour the 250,000-sq.-ft plant and see how Holley, in business for 105 years, makes its world famous carburetors and other products. "Visitor's will also get to see Weiand intake manifolds, water pumps and superchargers being made and get to tour through our engineering vehicle and engine lab where they house their chassis and engine dynos," said Bill Tichenor, Holley marketing manager. "Visitor's can also have a hot dog lunch be entered into a drawing for apparel and speed parts from Holley brands. Winner's results will be posted at the Holley racer trailer at the track."

At 2 p.m., is the Heacock Classic Cruise (which originates from Holley) and takes the form of a scavenger hunt organized by the American Red Cross to benefit their Vettetastic 2008 program. The Parks Museum will make a significant donation to the charity, according to Thacker. "The scavenger hunt ends at the Holiday Inn University Plaza's Sloan Convention Center at 5 pm for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It kicks off the weekend in grand but casual style," he said.  

The 6th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 13-15 at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Ky., is a 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm.  Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California and located in Pomona, Calif., the Reunion is part of the museum's "living history" philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture. 

Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.

Those purchasing their credentials at least three weeks before the event receive significant added value including a "goodie" bag, Reunion program, commemorative dash plaque and a colorful and collectible plastic souvenir credential.  Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available at 800/884-NHRA or through an application on the Museum's web site at http://museum.nhra.com. Individual tickets are available day-of the event. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15.  Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

 

The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:

 

-     Hot Heads Eliminator NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport's most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel, Funny Car, Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and others.

-     Street rod "show 'n shine," presented by SoffSeal, with thousands of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, custom cars, classics and muscle cars.  "Memory Lane" will have a display of nostalgic race cars.

-     Open house at Holley, Thurs., June 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., followed by the Heacock Classic Insurance Show 'n Shine cruise to the Holiday Inn University Plaza, the host hotel. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m.

-     National Hot Rod Reunion Reception, held at the Holiday Inn University Plaza's Sloan Convention Center ballroom on Friday evening, June 13.  Open to everyone at no charge, it's a tribute to the Reunion's Grand Marshal and Honorees and a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing's heroes.

-     Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the "old days."

-     The Swap meet and Reunion Midway filled with manufacturer exhibits and demonstrations

-     A separate amusement park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the park.

Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com or by sending a post card or note to NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, 1101 McKinley Ave., Bldg, 3A, Pomona, Calif. 91768.   Requests can be emailed to themuseum@nhra.com.

 Proceeds of the Holley Hot Rod Reunion benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Parks Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.