25th Rocky Mountain Nationals Coming to Pueblo, CO

This weekend, June 26-28, brings the next NSRA event to Pueblo, CO. With over 1,800 vintage street rods expected, the weekend promises to bring plenty to see and do for the family. Beginning Friday, June 26 with a parade through the streets of Pueblo, the three-day event has a car show, swap meet, Women’s World, and special area called “Streets of Rods." In addition to these NSRA event staples, the Rocky Mountain Nationals will have a little something extra on display. The Kookie Clone ’09, a replica of the car built for the TV series ’77 Sunset Strip’, will be displayed all weekend for an up close and personal look at a piece of Hollywood history.

Pueblo is home to several museums and landmarks with an emphasis on arts and local heritage, children's museums, and much more to discover. If you're in the area, plan on making the trip with the family.

25th Annual Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals
Dates
June 26, 27, 28, 2009

Times
Fri: 8:30 A.M-5:00 P.M.
Sat: 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Sun: 8:30 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

Cost
Adult: $14.00
Child: 6-12 $5.00
Under: 6 Free

2009 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour Visits Superior

AMSOIL welcomed the 2009 Street Rodder Road Tour on its ‘AMSOIL Tour’ leg here in Superior, WI last night. While the weather could have been a little nicer, it did not affect the number of local enthusiasts who turned out to see the tour roll in. With over 200 vintage and classic cars in attendance there was much to see and enjoy up close as the tour arrived, originating in Bowling Green, Ky. Jerry Dixie led the tour in his 1952 Chevy Bel-Air, which was one of the stars of the show in all of its metalflake green and white glory. Street Rods of all makes and models were in attendance, with something for every taste and generation. The next stop in the Road Tour is St. Ignace, MI for the St. Ignace Car Show. For those of you in that area, be sure you don’t miss this opportunity to see beautifully restored vehicles and show your support for the Street Rodder scene. The AMSOIL Tour was only the third in a series of eight legs, so there are plenty more opportunities throughout the country this summer to make it to one of these exciting events. You can find the entire tour schedule in the AMSOIL Promotions Blog by clicking here.

A Few More Images from TTC

The AMSOIL-sponsored Top Truck Challenge is not open to the public and even the competitors are limited to three guests. As each year passes the trucks get more and more competitive. The tube buggies typically do well but there were a couple short wheelbase front wheel steering trucks that put up a good fight this year. Doug Kahlstrom in his 1970 Dodge Power Wagon placed fifth out of ten behind the four tube buggies.

As with every year there were a few surprises. On Thursday Wayne Sheeley and his co-driver/wife Addie flipped their Jeep FC-170 over backwards in hole two of the tank trap and were trapped underwater for a few seconds as the recovery crew and host Tony Becker pulled them out. (See image in yesterday's blog post.) Thanks to a quick response nobody was injured.

Third place winner Leroy Latham in his 2008 homemade monster buggy was a strong runner all week. He wasn’t afraid to use the throttle and try different lines. He rolled twice, once in the hill climb and again in the mini-rubicon. Thank goodness for the five point restraint! Second place winner Brett Jerome in his Jeep TJ buggy was a favorite all week with his big air finishes. On Tuesday he launched his truck out of the frame twister logs so high he came down and blew both rear tires off the beads. Wednesday during the hill climb his fly by wire throttle hung and he flew into the trees off course. This mistake may have cost him first place.

First place winner David Green in his 2004 homemade tube buggy was the epitome of consistency all week. He finished every event in the top five or better despite hurting a piston in his 5.9 Cummins in the mud run on Tuesday.

According to our man on the scene Len Groom, "The one remark I consistently heard all week was that AMSOIL is the best for a reason. We not only make excellent products we back them up with support."

Thanks to everyone from Four Wheeler magazine and Source Interlink who pour their hearts and imaginations into making this such a fabulous event... and to all the other sponsoring companies who help make it happen.

2009 Top Truck Challenge Winners Announced

Last week we announced the Top Truck Challenge was underway in Hollister, CA. After three grueling days, a winner finally emerged to claim the ultimate bragging rights as 2009 Top Truck Challenge champion. David Green out of Alberta, Canada took the title in his Green Diesel Buggy. Second place belongs to Brett Jerome of Missouri in his Orange Jeep TJ Buggy, and third place was taken by Leroy Latham of Nevada in his Blue Homemade Monster Buggy. Ultimately all participants were winners simply by making it to Hollister, but these top three outdid the rest of the pack and had what it took to conquer the courses. Congratulations to our winners, and we’ll be back on the scene next year to see if they can defend their titles.

PHOTO: The Tank Trap has a reputation for destruction. Not all who attempt it succeed, but you can't win the TTC without making a valiant effort.

2009 Top Truck Challenge Underway in Hollister

Here at AMSOIL we're anxiously awaiting the results of this years’ Top Truck Challenge, which pits the toughest 4x4’s against one another in a series of endurance tests. As a sponsor of this event, AMSOIL is on hand to witness 10 competitors and 2 alternates battle it out for title of 2009 Top Truck Challenger. Not an easy feat by any means, the competitors were chosen by readers of Four Wheeler Magazine for this three-day slugfest. Over the course of these three grueling days, the vehicles are put through trials so extreme it’s amazing they were conceived, let alone attempted.

Day One the competitors were broken in by performing the Tow Test in which each truck had to tow a heavy object up a steep hill. Next up was the Hill Climb featuring a 400 foot steep climb that is not only timed, but near impossible to reach the top without the power and grit to finish without flipping or breaking. Followed next by an obstacle course through water, hills, and other objects meant to take down the weakest; Day One does not go easy on these competitors.

Day Two brings even tougher challenges and possibly even an end to some of the competitors’ involvement in this event. First up is the Frame Twister, which is pretty self-explanatory. Drivers attempt to make it through a wicked obstacle course that culminates in a 20-yard section of logs without hitting course marker cones, staffers, or winching. Ten minutes max. Penalties are applied for each infraction. Only the boldest make it through to the end. From there it is on to the Mud Pit, a huge hole filled with water, dirt, and near-impossible odds. This year none of the competitors were able to clear it, so the winner of this trial is determined by the truck that made it the furthest. The end of Day Two brings the Mini-Rubicon, a trek through a 40-yard rock pile. Sound easy? It’s not. Four Wheeler Magazine calls it ‘a rock-crawling nightmare’ and last year only two of the competitors were successful in completing this challenge. Boulders, tire-swallowing holes, and nasty entrances and exits to this course make it an extreme 125 feet of metal bending.

If, by Day Three, any of the competitors and their trucks are still standing, they take on the dreaded Tank Trap. While it is ‘only’ a quarter-mile, it runs uphill through a valley that climbs 195 feet in elevation from start to finish that has humbled many a driver before. Within that quarter-mile, drivers will attempt to conquer slippery rock waterfalls, loose dirt climbs, and seven deep water holes within 30 minutes. The track builders go to great lengths to ensure every inch of the course is as twisted and challenging as possible, and they succeed. This event is worth double the points than previous trials if completed, which goes to show drivers are definitely earning them should they reach the end.

Watch this space next week for an update on the final results and more photos from this extreme challenge.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

York, PA Set to Host 36th Street Rod Nationals June 5-7

The NSRA is gearing up for the next Street Rod Nationals event, this time in York, PA. The 36th Street Rod Nationals East event is being held at the York Expo Center June 5-7, and an estimated 3,500-4,000 street rods are expected to be on display.

Aside from the thousands of ‘main attractions,’ the Street Rod Nationals East event will also include a trade show, swap meet and Women’s World area with arts and crafts. Over 100 manufacturer and dealer displays will be on board as well, so there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy. Once you have had your fill of street rods and nostalgia, York is also known to be the Factory Tour Capitol of the world. From the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Tour, to the Hershey’s Chocolate World Visitor Center in nearby Hershey, there is something for everyone in between. Hershey is also home to the AACA, or Antique Automobile Club of America. Continue your vintage street rod-themed weekend here, where elaborately themed exhibits take you through the history of the automobile industry.

Dates

June 5, 6, 7 2009

Times

Fri: 8:30 A.M-5:00 P.M.

Sat: 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Sun: 8:30 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

Cost

Adult $14.00

Child 6-12 $5.00

Under 6 Free