Maybe it's because an-other deadline has come and gone. May-be it's because the reality of the next one hasn't sunk in as yet. Maybe it's because there are no more football games and qualifying for NASCAR Daytona is still several days away. Or, maybe, just maybe, the "weight" of my years has brought on this moment of reflection.
For starters, all of us probably already know what we want to do, will do, or wish to do this summer when it comes to our street rods-everything from the early morning cruise to the local donut heaven, to the drive into the setting sun, all while sprinkling in a "big trip" or two to our favorite rod run. For me it's always fun to start the year off at Goodguys in Del Mar, followed by the L.A. Roadsters' Father's Day show, and in a really good year, a chance to drive cross-country to the NSRA Nats in Louisville. Granted that one takes some effort, especially in a topless highboy, but then that's the fun-I think! This summer is already stacking up to be better than previous years, most notably with the expansion of the Road Tour. The six different legs take in a number of NSRA events as well as several of the larger independent rod runs. This should prove to be great fun, but how about something competitive?
All of us are competitive on some level. The indoor car show season proves that and there never seems to be a shortage of entrants for the prestigious awards at any of the outdoor rod runs. But how about some real competition where there's a clear-cut winner and loser, and not something that's lost in subjectivity? Throw in some prize money? It's out there-well, almost.
Unless you are a narrow bandwidth kind of car guy, you have heard of the Great Race. This year will mark its 24th year, and did you know that it's the world's richest and longest-running road rally for vintage and antique automobiles? Right away you have picked up on the operative word "vintage." No doubt street rods are a far cry from vintage automobiles, but there is a change in the wind. This year there will be an exhibition class, which will allow up to six street rods to compete. (There's a steep entry fee by rod run standards, but then you have a shot at winning some real dollars.) And wouldn't you know it, one of the pioneers of street rodding will be the first to give it a go-Jerry Kugel of Kugel Komponents with his Deuce roadster. As added interest, STREET RODDER will chronicle Jerry's exploits, as well as a number of other rod-oriented cars, as we have placed automotive journalist Don Prieto in the "shotgun" seat with trusty pen and paper (OK, it's a laptop). Another well-known rodder is Frank Currie (Currie Enterprises), who has won the Great Race and has competed too many times to keep track. We will also follow his exploits in his 1910 Seldon. (Next year we plan on talking Frank into driving a street rod, again sharing with SRM readers.)