The 2003 PPG/Street Rodder Road Tour Heads East

After three days in Bakersfield, California, at the 27th Annual Western Street Rod Nationals, road tour pilot Jerry Dixey pointed his roadster East. With only four days until the 29th Annual Street Rod Nationals South in Knoxville, Tennessee, there was no time to waste. The trip on I-40 across the United States was a quick one with the 2,100 miles covered in three very long days.

The NSRA Nats South is traditionally the kick-off to the rod run season East of the Mississippi River. Spring has arrived in Knoxville and everything is in bloom. The long hard winter was quickly forgotten as many newly completed street rod projects were rolled out of the garage to be debuted at the Nats South.

The official registration as of 2:00 on Saturday afternoon was 3,281 rods. Chilhowee Park was filled with participants and spectators all weekend. Friday's brief showers was the only moisture that was seen with the awards ceremonies held under sunny, blue skies on Sunday afternoon. For complete coverage of the event see the October issue of Street Rodder, on sale August 26th.

There is a short break in the road tour schedule and then it's off to Springfield, Missouri, on Memorial Day Weekend for the 20th Annual NSRA Mid-America Nationals at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Keep up with all of Jerry's travels at www.streetrodderweb.com.