NHRA News: DuPont named Presenting Sponsor of NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion (12/11/2002)

DuPont named Presenting Sponsor of NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion

12/11/2002

DuPont Automotive Finishes has joined the NHRA family in a big way, becoming title sponsor of the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion. Sam Jackson, the new executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., revealed the sponsorship at a press conference at the PRI trade show in Indianapolis last week.

"It's a hot rod marriage made in street rod heaven," Jackson said of the deal between the museum's Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Ky., and DuPont Automotive Finishes, which signed on as the event's presenting sponsor. The official title for this first-ever event, set for June 20-23, 2003, at Beech Bend Park, in Bowling Green, Ky., is the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes.

"Teaming up with DuPont on the National Hot Rod Reunion will help make the event a major success in many ways," Jackson said. "DuPont is a big, big player in this market and will bring color and additional value. We're delighted to be partnering with them."

According to Dennis Silva, DuPont Automotive Finishers, central region district sales manager, "being a part of the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion is an ideal fit for our marketing plans. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to reach to our customers on a grassroots level at a national event. I know the California Hot Rod Reunion is legendary, and I think this new national one, in time, will be as highly regarded. We're glad to be aboard."

From left, event organizer Bob Daniels, executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum Sam Jackson, and DuPont's Tom Mellis unveiled the new logo.

Steve Gibbs, NHRA vice president and museum board member, agreed with Silva. "We've had a great hot rod celebration in Bakersfield, Calif., for 11 years, and will continue to do so," Gibbs said. "With DuPont's help, we're going to now serve street rodders and drag racers in the rest of the country with a great event they can call their own – the National Hot Rod Reunion presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes. It's a full program of activities designed to celebrate the whole spectrum of hot rodding and drag racing."

Also speaking at the press conference about the National Hot Rod Reunion was Bob Daniels, who with his wife Eileen, has assumed a major role in the organization and production of the event, and Tom Mellis of DuPont. Drag racing legends Don "Big Daddy" Garlits (the Spotlight Award recipient) and Bob Glidden, the Grand Marshal of the event, were also at the press conference, telling stories of drag racing in years past.

Produced by the NHRA Motorsports Museum, the National Reunion will include nostalgic drag racing in such classes at Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, classic Funny Cars, and A/FX, along with a giant street rod, custom and muscle car reunion, swap meet for classic car and racing parts, special stage show, and a separate amusement park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the park.

Larry Dixon Sr. competed in Nostalgia Eliminator with this blue roadster at the last NHRA Hot Rod Reunion.

The Reunion honorees are Jack Chisenhall, Angelo Giampetroni, Raymond Godman, Ken Hirata (who attend the press conference), and the team of Robert Frakes and Dale Funk.

Many of the popular features of the annual California Hot Rod Reunion event will also be present in Bowling Green, including the all-time favorite "Cacklefest." The activity involves early-days-style front-engine dragsters being push-started, then all gathered together on the drag strip starting-line grid with engines running.

"The Cacklefest is a major crowd favorite that thrills the throngs of fans who pack the grandstand to watch," said Gibbs.

Drag racing legends Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, who will be presented with the Spotlight Award at next year's reunion, and Bob Glidden, the Grand Marshal of the event, were on hand at the press conference.

The all-around NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion will also cater to car clubs, with special contests and activities for each group. Information, including a full activities schedule and entry forms, is available through the NHRA Motorsports Museum. To receive updated information, prospective participants should send a post card or note to NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, P.O. Box 2345, Pomona, Calif. 91769. Or e-mail a name and address to museum@nhra.com.

Proceeds of the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion presented by DuPont Automotive Refinishes, will benefit the NHRA Motorsports Museum. The museum 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.

The NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST, with extended hours during NHRA national events. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 60 and older, $3 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings, and special group tours. The NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit www.nhra.com/museum.

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