POMONA, Calif. - (May 13, 2003) - It's interesting that T.A. Cross was the first to register a street rod in the inaugural Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes. What's really fascinating is that T.A. Cross is actually two people: Tom and Terry Cross, a happy street rodding couple from Imperial, Mo., who registered their rod for the June 20-22, 2003, event at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Ky., more than six months ago! We saw some information posted on the NHRA Web site on the National Reunion before Christmas," said wife Terry. "We discussed it out and said this is going to be a nice run, so we signed up."
T.A. Cross, as they like to be called, actually entered the first two cars in the upcoming show: a '40 Packard they are feverishly still getting ready and a '69 Chevelle. They also invited 10 other couples to bring their cars as well. "We like to travel to runs with our friends," Terry said. "This is going to be a real reunion."
As members of the Stiff Rodders Club, Tom and Terry feel the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion is something special for the Midwest and Southern regions. "There's racing and rods...the best of both worlds," Terry said. "There will be a whole field of beautiful cars. When you sit up in the stands, they look like Easter eggs because of all the different colors."
Imperial, Mo., is 294 miles from Bowling Green, Ky., according to Terry, the perfect distance for a rod run. "We're really excited about this one. It'll be a big deal to see all the famous cars and old-timers there." And you get the feeling T.A. Cross will be first in line to get in.
Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes, will include Crane Cams nostalgic drag racing in such classes at Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, classic Funny Cars and Super Stocks, along with a giant street rod, customs, classics and muscle car SoffSeal "show 'n' shine," swap meet for classic car and racing parts, special stage show and has a separate amusement park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the park.
Bob Glidden, winner of 10 NHRA Pro-Stock Championships and 85 National events in his 30 years of racing, will serve as Grand Marshal of the event. The honorees are Jack Chisenhall, Angelo Giampetroni, Raymond Godman, Ken Hirata and the team of Robert Frakes & Dale Funk. Don "Big Daddy" Garlits is the Spotlight Award recipient.
Many of the popular features of the annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion event will also be present in Bowling Green, including the all-time favorite "Cacklefest." This involves early-days-style front-engine dragsters being push-started, then all gathered together on the drag strip with engines running.
The Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Refinishes, will also cater to car clubs, with special contests and activities for clubs. Proceeds of the Reunion benefit the Wally Parks 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.
Reunion information is available online at www.nhra.com/museum or by mail. To receive updated information, prospective participants should send a post card or note to National Hot Rod Reunion, P.O. Box 2345, Pomona, Calif. 91769. Or you can call 909/622-8562 for further Reunion details.
The Wally Parks 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 Wally Parks 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.