Street Beat

August 2008

 

 

 

VA.  HIGHLANDS FLY-IN and CRUISE IN

On Saturday, July 26th, l8 members of the KARC met at the K Mart parking lot on Stone Dr. and had a small convoy to the Virginia Highlands airport in Abingdon, VA., for their first ever fly-in/cruise-in. We were joined there by 3 other club members, for a grand total of 21 club member cars, and a few other members as well. There were 6-8 vintage aircraft there, and an acrobatic aircraft, which was taking passengers for a ride for a very reasonable $25. There were around 150 quality cars, many of which none of us had ever seen. Two of the cars that really caught my eye were built by Morgan McClure employees. A 69 Camaro and a 32 Ford hi-boy with a 425 nailhead with 6 twos, quick change rear, with 5 speed trans. This show was a double pleasure for me, being a car guy, and a retired aircraft mechanic. Everyone I talked to seemed to enjoy the unique event, even though the sponsoring club had never done a show before, and they had a few organizational snafus. All the donations went to the Abingdon Kiwanis Club, mostly going to children’s charities. I was really proud of our club showing up in such great numbers for such a worthy cause.

 

NSRA Nationals in Louisville

Several KARC club members made the trek to the NSRA Nats in Louisville, Ky.  I won’t try to name them all, but there were 8 rods in my group, and at least 3 in another group, with several traveling alone. The official attendance this year was 10,721 (?), or something very close to that. This is slightly down from last year, and considering the economy, fuel prices, etc., I expect the NSRA was pleased with that number. The vendor area has been expanded back to the food court again, making room for more vendors, without being as crowded.  The vendor participation was supposedly down, but it looked plenty full to me.  I did not see outside vendors as in the past. The temperature did not hit 100, as in past years and was not quite as brutal. Most everyone had uneventful trip to and from the Nats, except KARC member Jim Collier had a little radiator to fan interference problem.  Jim reported he had good help from several people, and he was back at the fairgrounds the following day.

 

Leonard Dotson Benefit Show

On Saturday August 9th, there was a benefit car and bike show held for member Fred Dotson’s son Leonard, at the Kroger parking lot near the Bristol Mall.

Eight KARC members arrived to show support and donate to the cause.  Leonard is still making good progress, has a really positive attitude, and is enjoying being able to do everything that he can do. I did not get a final count on car or bike numbers, but we hope it was a huge success for Leonard.

 

Broad Street Cruise / Show

Also happening on August the 9th was the Annual FOP Broad Street Cruise/Show in downtown Kingsport.  This show is similar to our own but, does not have another large local  show on the same day. KARC members at Leonard’s benefit cruised down to this show and joined a very nice crowd. The show started out a little slow, but the entries just kept coming in (much like our own show), and their finally tally was 302 entries. There were  several  quality door prizes given away, and a quality field of entries.  Once again,  several cars that I had never seen. Both cars built by the Morgan McClure employees (previously mentioned) were present.  The 69 Camaro was a flawless body laid over a NASCAR chassis with an SB2 engine.  The owner told me it had 770 HP at the flywheel. That’s with no power adders, same as NASCAR.

Member Fred Dotson reported hitting a Bambi with his ‘38 Zephyr, on his way from Leonard’s benefit to the Broad Street Cruise. Amazingly, there were only scuff marks around his right front fender.  Those were near the near irreplaceable headlight. Fred was very relieved, that the damage was so slight. Several club members won either door prizes or a plaque of recognition at the Broad Street Cruise. They are listed below:

Randy Bledsoe, Cruiser award (hemi-Ford)

Jerry Collins—NSRA Rep Pick

Buckshot Elliott—Choice of the Choicest (?)

Tom Herron—Rat Rod

Sid Vicars—Brand X (only l present) ’54 Stude

Daris Hartsock-won the 350” Chevy Engine

All in all, this was a very successful and enjoyable show for the FOP and downtown Kingsport.

 

Members Machines and Gossip

Daris Hartsock’s winning of the Chevy engine caused immediate speculation as to the fate of his All Ford powered family of Rods. Sources close to the Hartsock’s, say this is causing extreme anguish as Daris secretly wants to use a Chevy, and this could be a good excuse to crossover. Daris is staying mum, but most Scott Countians think if he used the Chevy engine, his garage is likely to sink 30 feet into the Gate City soil.  MK said with that engine, Daris can now be the leader of the pack..  I’m sure there will be much joking at Daris’ expense. All in just good fun.

 

We need to be thinking about a club picnic or cruise for this fall. Several members talked about this in Louisville so, they may have some ideas/suggestions to pitch at our meeting this week.

 

Upcoming Events

NSRA Richmond Nationals ---- Aug 22-24 ---- Richmond, VA

 

Food Lion AutoFair ------- Sept 4-7 ------ Lowes Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC

Shades of the Past ---- Sept 5-6 ---- Pigeon Forge, TN

Grand Rod Run ---- Sept 11-14 ---- Pigeon Forge, TN

Allandale Car Show ---- Sept 21 ---- Kingsport, TN

Fall Colors Autorama AACA Car Show ---- Sept 20 ---- Hendersonville, NC

 

The Valley Rod Run --------- Oct 3-5 ------- Festival Grounds at Maggie Valley, NC

Corvette & Muscle Car Expo ---- Oct 17-18 ---- Chilhowie Park ---- Knoxville, TN

Goodguy’s Rod & Custom Southeastern Nationals ---- Oct 24-26 --- Lowe’s Motor Speed Way --- Charlotte, NC

 

Cruise-In Downtown Elizabethton, TN --- Every Saturday April thru October --- Elizabethton, TN    6 PM

Cruise Night, Big Lots Parking Lot ----- Every Friday Night April thru October ------- Rutledge, TN     6 - 9 PM

Cruise-In ---- 1st Sat in May thru Last Sat in Oct – East side of Morristown, TN --- Ingles/Big Lots  6-9 PM

 

KARC Christmas Party -------- Dec 6 ------- Domtar Cabin, Kingsport, TN

 

ADVERTISERS SPONSORS

Appalachian Auto Glass-----------------423-279-7202

Berry’s Pharmacy-----------------------423-247-3124

Braeden’s Barbeque--------------------423-378-0500

Brooks Circle Wrecker Service---------423-578-2131

Browns Auto and Air Conditioning------423-245-4831

Brookside Automotive------------------423-392-0211

Carquest Auto Parts---------------------423-246-5550

Carter Powder Coating------------------423-542-1150

Center Auto Machine Shop--------------423-247-8168

Classic Investments----------------------423-323-2407

Custom Auto Paint and Supply----------423-571-6430

D&L Backhoe--------------------------423-276-6808

Dan’l Boone Region AAC---------------N/A

Dashboard Audio-----------------------423-239-3274

Davis Heating and Air-------------------423-239-8779

D&D Rod & Custom-------------------423-357-4704

Don's and Davis Sanitation Service------800-451-3987

Eastman Motorsports-------------------423-229-3986

Eddie’s Rod Shop----------------------423-323-2081

Epperson Sandblasting------------------423-357-5777

Finishing Touch--------------------------888-234-6313

Gilbert Advanced Asset Mgt.------------800-677-4445

Grant Tire and Automotive --------------423-247-3149

Gray Auto Parts-------------------------423-239-5881

Gulley Performance----------------------423-2472271

Hot Dog Hut-----------------------------423-245-5731

Jan Mar Restaurant----------------------423-245-0731

Jim’s Construction-----------------------423-335-0224

John's Auto Sales----------------------276-225-7261

Kingsport Body Works------------------423-245-1421

Kingsport Fasteners----------------------423-378-4717

Larry’s Cycle Shop----------------------423-247-2751

Norman’s Auto Repair-------------------423-245-7351

Paint by Darrell--------------------------423-288-6417P

Professional Dental Lab -----------------423-246-2421

Quality Body Shop ----------------------423-282-2986  

Rainbow Motors----------------------------423-288-5827             

R & D Metal Finishing-------------------423-543-1722

R & R Auto Repair----------------------423-288-8763

Ron Matthews Insurance ----------------423-246-4241

Smith Auto Parts and Machine Shop-----423-272-7686

Speedway Seat Covers------------------423-753-4600

T.K.’s Big Dogs Too!-------------------423-245-6300

Tony’s Pipe and Muffler-----------------423-246-7304

12 Bones Smokehouse------------------423-239-7225

TV and Radio Clinic---------------------423-247-4841

Wal-Mart Super Center------------------423-392-0600

Wallace News --------------------------423-245-2035

Williams Classic Parts-------------------423-247-3260

Yuma Tire & Recapping-----------------276-386-6631

*Bold Lettering Denotes Major Show Sponsor

 

NEXT CLUB MEETING:

New Location!!!!!!  Golden Corral Restaurant on Eastman Road, Kingsport, TN.

August  14th,  6:30 PM