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Hot Rods and the Hot Rod Lifestyle Set to Rumble to Madison for the Goodguys 18th Great Lakes Nationals |
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August 17-19, 2007 |
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The Goodguys 18th Great Lakes Nationals is the 15th of twenty-three annual hot rod and custom car events promoted and produced by the Goodguys. Goodguys events are held from New York to San Diego, from Seattle Florida and many points in between. The events are large, colorful and have often been referred to as a “State Fair of Automotive Excitement!” Lil’ deuce coupes, hot rod roadsters, lead-sled 50’s Mercury customs, ‘55-’57 Chevy’s, Camaro’s, Hemi Barracuda’s & BOSS 409 Mustangs and other timeless beauties will fill the entire outdoor acreage of Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center. |
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Sunday, August 19 is Family Fun Day at the Great Lakes Nationals. Kids will be admitted free to the event. “The goal is to introduce the youth of today to the world of rods & customs, says Marc Meadors, Goodguys President. “We want to show them all of the cool hot rods and custom cars that are around today.” The Goodguys 18th Great Lakes Nationals will have everything the auto buff and gear head could ever want. A used parts automotive swap meet will join a special “cars for sale corral” where automotive treasure hunters can seek out hard to find parts and buy and/or sell the car of their dreams. Those who want to see what the latest trends are in hot rodding and street rodding can shop the commercial and vendor exhibits for the latest in hot rod products and services. Awards are a large part of any automotive event, and the Great Lakes Nationals will offer plenty. Special awards like the “Low Lid” will go to the hot rod or custom car with the lowest roof. The “Homebuilt Heaven” pick, sponsored by Timberland/Pro apparel goes to a rod or custom that was completely built and fabricated by the owner in his or her own garage. In addition, a finalist for the 2007 Muscle Car of the Year will be chosen. In all about 80 awards will be handed out at the conclusion of the event. The event will also feature specialty parking areas with special themes. The “Deuces are Wild” area features only 1932 model cars and trucks in honor of the ’32 model year’s 75th birthday. The “Fins are Fifty” are celebrated the 50th birthday of 1957 model cars such as the iconic ’57 Chevy. “Mighty Muscle” highlights Muscle Cars 1960 through 1972 and the “Young Guys” is for hot rodders 25 years old and younger. Homebuilt Heaven, sponsored by Timberland PRO, is open to those who have crafted their automotive creations themselves. The special parking areas take place Saturday, August 18 from 8am to 2pm. As an industry, hot rodding and classic American cars are healthier than ever. Magazine racks across the country are filled with hot rodding lifestyle magazine titles and prime time programming blocks on cable television are filled with such hit shows as Rides, Overhaulin’ and Spike TV’s “Power Block” – a weekly two hour slate of hi performance automotive and truck programming. * In 2006, retail sales for street rod and custom car specialty equipment products reached $954 million and manufacturer sales were $325 million nationwide. In this case, street rod is defined as 1948 and older model-year vehicles, and customs include 1949 through early 1970s vehicles. * Retail sales experienced a 56.4% increase between 1997 and 2006, with the largest year-to-year change occurring between 2004 and 2005 with 14.25%. Goodguys Chairman and founder Gary Meadors, a 67 year old lifelong car enthusiast and ardent hot rodder isn’t surprised by rodding’s new found attention. “Colorful, customized American cars have always made people happy,” he said. “You drive down the road in a big foreign luxury sedan and people think you’re a snob. When you hit the road in a candy red ’57 Chevy, or a flamed ’32 Ford coupe with chrome glistening in the sun, people give you a hearty thumbs up and wave to you even though you’re a complete stranger. These cars extract human emotions. We’ve been doing hot rod events for over twenty years and mainstream America has now found out how cool these cars are and how much fun you can have building, owning and driving them.” In Madison and across the US, the goal for Goodguys is simple; make a lot of people smile. “The city of Madison and Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center provide a great backdrop for the event,” said Goodguys President, Marc Meadors. “The hotels in and around Madison areas are filling up and local clubs like the Wizards of Rods are behind this event. We hope to build a great tradition and the event here in Madison.” Event hours are Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, and Sunday 8am to 3pm. General admission is $13, and kids 7-12 $6. Kids 6 and under are FREE. There is a $5 parking fee charged by the facility. Sunday, August 19 is “Family Fun Day” with kids 12 and under admitted free. For additional event information, contact the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association at (925) 838-9876 or visit www.good-guys.com |
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Event Details |
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Dates August 17, 18, 19, 2007 Venue Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI Local Info Alliant Energy Center: (608)267-3976 www.alliantenergycenter.com Hours Friday, August 17: 8am to 5pm Features • 1000's of Rods, Customs, Muscle Cars & Street machines thru '72 |
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Copyright 1999 - 2007 Hot Rod Hot Line All Rights Reserved |
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