Anticipation Building for SEMA 2009

AMSOIL is preparing for the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show coming to Las Vegas in November. Just about every leader in the automotive industry will be in attendance to showcase their offerings to the performance automotive world. Again this year, AMSOIL is installed in several high-profile cars that are sure to turn heads. Below are just a few glimpses of what to expect on display at this year’s show, all proudly running AMSOIL.

First up is Air-Zenith, a world-class manufacturer for DC 12Volt Air Suspension compressors and accessories. They will be in attendance with their AMSOIL-lubed 1985 Porsche 944. A show car indeed, it is slated for many upcoming appearances in various shows over the next year. With plenty of fancy modifications from the door handles to the carpet in the interior, AMSOIL was happy to oblige their request for the best lubricants to install in this ride.

Up next is Mike Bonanni of Double Down Motorsports and his jaw-dropping 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring car (top left). Mike uses this to race in ‘Time Attack’ events, which is the next generation for the tuner enthusiast. His Nissan is unlike most anything else out there, and with several accomplishments already under his belt Mike is sure to emerge on the scene a star.

Finally, David Williams with Kustom Edge will arrive to showcase his sweet truck that is sure to get people talking. A 2006 Chevy 1500 decked out in 28’ rims, Chevy SS front bumper and an amazing paint job will show people why Kustom Edge evolved from a garage operation to a full-blown customs shop. Attention to detail from the inside out makes this ride worthy of all the attention it’s sure to receive.

These are just three examples of what we’re up to. AMSOIL will be installed in more show cars than ever, from a group of extremely talented Camaro builders, to Hemi's, Lexus, and beyond. Stay tuned for updates throughout the show and afterwards. If you can’t be there, be sure to follow the action on the right here for SEMA 2009 in November.

NSRA Golden State Nationals Coming to Sacramento

If you're in the Sacramento or Tampa areas in the coming weeks, you still have a chance to attend one of these exciting shows.

The first weekend in October brings the NSRA 8th Golden State Nationals to sunny Sacramento, CA. The region’s largest and most spectacular custom car show will bring thousands of street rods valued at more than $56 million combined. Aside from the thousands of main attractions on display, vendors, live entertainment and special events will make this a remarkable way to usher in fall.

Sacramento also brings additional attractions not found at all NSRA events. A special display of ‘Tether Cars’ will be there every day of the event. These miniature race cars can reach speeds of up to 130 mph, and additional games and activities will feature something fun for the entire family. More than $84,000 in SuperPrize giveaways will be awarded, as well as a special “$unday $weep$takes” giveaway for participants of the Golden State Nationals.

All in all, it will be a weekend to remember. A trade show, swap meet, and ‘Women’s World’ area with arts and crafts will offer lots to see and do in between checking out the scene. An awards ceremony on Sunday will round out the weekend. Be sure to attend if you happen to be in Sacramento and surrounding areas.

What: 8th Annual Golden State Nationals

When: October 2, 3, 4
Where: Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento, CA

Friday: 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Saturday: 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Sunday: 8:30-2:00 P.M.

Cost
Adults $14.00
Children 6-12 $5.00
5 & Under Free

Discounts available to military personnel, current NSRA members, and anyone 60 years of age or older.

Hot Rod Drag Week Photo Gallery

For those who missed it, Hot Rod Drag Week 2009 was a hoot. One team came all the way from Australia, purchasing a pickup on EBay to bring home after the week was through. Evidently this was not their first rodeo and it's very likely that they'll be back. (See the red pickup here on the right.)

When all is said and done, Drag Week is no drag. It's an adrenaline rush from start to finish. This kind of adrenaline is high octane heart pounding and invigorating. On Friday night in Muncie the fans were out in droves, the best kind of free entertainment you can find anywhere. No one wanted to quit and the drivers made a late night of it, doing all they could to more one more slot up the ladder toward higher ground.

One of these street legal machines reached 200 miles per hour in a quarter mile run. That's smokin'. There are cars that fail to reach that in five miles at Bonneville.

Look for coverage in an upcoming issue of Hot Rod magazine. if the bug bites, maybe you'll want to be part of it next year. And just maybe we'll see you there.

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

First Photos from Hot Rod Drag Week

Mahatma Gandhi once said that there's more to life than simply increasing speed. But going fast sure is fun, and there have been a lot of drivers having a heart-pounding good time here.

Tonight is the culmination of the 2009 Hot Rod Drag Week which began in Muncie and has returned today after touring tracks in Michigan and Ohio. As you can see here the weather is simply gorgeous at Muncie Dragway.

More than 109 cars have made the trek and a big turnout of locals to watch things wind up and wind out. Our man on the scene noted that one guy running AMSOIL has 1700 horsepower and is having a lot of fun in the process.

Next week we'll do the wrap.

Big Week for AMSOIL

AMSOIL is all over the place lately, and not by accident. In an economy that has people hesitant on buying anything they don’t need, it is especially important to get the message out there about how they don’t need to change their oil every 3,000 miles. AMSOIL has been hard at work to get this very message to consumers who are still following the old 3,000 mile oil change myth. Below are two areas AMSOIL has been increasing exposure to prove that not only is using synthetics better for the environment, your wallet, and vehicle, it stands up to some pretty tough challenges as well, whatever kind of vehicle you drive.

The 2009 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge is underway this week at Comp Cams test facilities in Memphis, TN. The challenge details: teams of builders build engines to put through rigorous tests to prove they can take the heat. In a series of dyno tests the engines are given several ‘pulls’ to gauge horsepower and torque, and the engine that has the most of both in 3 scored pulls in 45 minute time frames wins. Once the engine is on the block there is no tuning allowed with the exception of a few brief moments in the second 45 minute period, but it doesn’t stop the clock. If three qualifying pulls are not met within the time frame, that engine is out. With the competition currently in progress, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. From what we hear, it has been one powerfully exciting week.

In other action, this week is Hot Rod Drag Week, an event like none other. In addition to five days of drag racing, these street legal racers will also put in a thousand miles of highway drive time as they vie for prizes in eleven categories. There will be no maintenance crews in big rigs or support trailers, only the tools they carry along for the ride.

Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan will play host to the events this week, beginning at Muncie and culminating back at Muncie after completing the circuit. This week long event is just as much about dependability as it is about speed, with little surprises along the way to prove they are doing it of their own power and not being hauled around on a trailer from track to track. At each track, a driver can take as many passes as he or she wants to achieve the best E.T. (elapsed time) but too much time can cost a person the race. Once they hand in their best time at one track, they are given maps to the next.

Like the AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge, this event is also currently in progress as we write this. Check back in here at the Promotions Blog next week where we'll provide a full recap and photos.

Last Chance to Attend NSRA Events in the Northeast: Burlington, VT

Burlington, VT is the setting for the Northeast Nationals, one of the final NSRA-sanctioned events of 2009, September 18-20. For the 16th year, Burlington will usher in over 1600 street rods to be displayed over the weekend. Set in the historic streets of Burlington, the Northeast Nationals promise to end 2009 on a vibrant note. Over 50 manufacturer and Dealer displays will be on hand, as well as a swap meet, ‘Women’s World’ with arts and crafts, and special ‘Streets of Rods’.

Burlington VT is located in Lake Champlain Valley, a picturesque city with plenty of sights and sounds for the entire family to enjoy. Come out and support this dedicated group, and see vintage spectacles all lined up for up close and personal viewing.

What: 16th Annual Northeast Nationals
When: September 18-20, 2009
Where: Champlain Valley Exposition, Burlington VT

Friday: 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Saturday: 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Sunday: 8:30-3:00 P.M.

Cost
Adults $14.00
Children 6-12 $5.00
5 & Under Free

Discounts available to military personnel, current NSRA members, and anyone 60 years of age or older.

Kalamazoo Next Stop for NSRA Nationals

Kalamazoo, MI is gearing up to welcome the NSRA Street Rod Nationals North event coming up this weekend. Starting Friday, September 11 over 2400 street rods will descend on the city for display through Sunday, September 13. Last year's event brought rain the entire weekend, but that didn’t stop the die-hard enthusiasts from turning out and enjoying the scene. This year the weather looks to be much better with sunny skies expected, which will impact the number of spectators making the trip this year. The three day event offers something for everybody with over 110 manufacturer and dealer displays, arts and crafts, swap meet, and the special ‘Streets of Rods’ found at most NSRA events this year.

Kalamazoo is home to several other attractions once you’ve had your fill of vintage street rods. From theatres to zoos, there is plenty to do the entire weekend. The Gilmore Car Museum in nearby Hickory Corners is currently running its attraction ‘History- A ¼ Mile at a Time’ featuring a drag race exhibit that details the history of the sport. Be sure to make it if you're in the area. It'll be a weekend your family won’t soon forget. NSRA events have played a pivotal role in the street rodder market and it’s only getting bigger each year.

What: 30th Annual Street Rod Nationals North
When: September 11-13, 2009
Where: Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds: Kalamazoo, MI

Friday, Aug 28 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Saturday Aug 29 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Sunday, Aug 30 8:30-2:00 P.M.

Cost
Adults $14.00
Children 6-12 $5.00
5 & Under Free
Discounts available to seniors, military personnel and NSRA members.

Be sure to bring the family down if you are in the area to show support for the enthusiasts who keep this part of history alive.

Off-Road Design Puts AMSOIL to the Test

Stephen Watson of Off-Road Design (ORD) Racing approached AMSOIL months back in a bid to obtain sponsorship for the grueling Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race. AMSOIL likes challenges, so we jumped on board to help Stephen and his team make it to the end. ‘The Long Way’ 1000 mile race is a 3-day event with over 300+ miles of open-desert endurance racing with only a one hour service period each night for maintenance. Temperatures rose to over 100 degrees, and the desert takes no prisoners. The silt beds of the Nevada desert provided dust that often made it impossible to see much past the hood of the car. Add some rocky terrain with some good ruts to catch even the mightiest trucks, and you’ve got yourself a challenge that doesn’t yield.

In an Ultra4 Buggy built for Off-Road Racing, ORD managed to lock in 2nd place out of 11 competitors in their class. Despite the dust bath the truck received during this race, ORD knew they had nothing to worry about with AMSOIL Ea Oil and Air filters installed and AMSOIL in the engine. Their impressive result made room for them in their next big event, the King of the Hammers in February. AMSOIL is proud to be a part of their success, and will keep up with them as they continue their climb to the top of the ranks. With results like these, they will no doubt take their star up several notches in the Ultra4 world of Off-Road Racing.