Gone Racin’…to the
55th Annual Grand National Roadster Show

I have to admit that for years I’ve always wanted to attend the Grand National Roadster Show in the San Francisco Bay area, but something always came up and I would say, “next year for sure.” Dan and Charlene Cyr brought their marvelous show south to sunny Southern California for the 55th Annual event, and gave us no excuse to miss the Show, and a marvelous one at that. Dan explained that the move to a new locale was taken because of the deteriorating conditions at the sites they were renting up north, the competition with the NFL Superbowl playoffs, which caused a decline in attendance, and the chance to tap into the Los Angeles area, birthplace to much of the hot rodding phenomenon. 265 cars and motorcycles were on display, and they were magnificent. Dan has plans to return to the L.A. County Fairplex next year and to expand to 5 buildings from the 3 that he is renting for this Show. Vendors lined the walls and spilled outside, while crowds of people swarmed into the complex.
 
Fifteen roadsters vied for the top prize as the AMBR (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster) car. Two teams of judges, with long experience in selecting the Special car, as it is called, searched long and hard to spot any flaws, and to note the ingenuity and artistry of the builder. Seven other teams of two judges each reviewed the other entries in the show. Barry White, whose “Impact,” won the AMBR Award in 2001, was chosen as this year’s Builder of the Year Award winner. There was a scale model exposition. The Discovery Channel cars from their “Monster’s Garage” were on display. Entertainment included the “Wonderelle’s, the Great “Ronnie and the Classics,” the Oakland Raiderettes, and Sweet Pea and Buddy the Clowns. Jim Handy gave a photo show of the “55 Years of GNR’s History in pictures.” Garry and Denny were the DJ’s and played music from the 50’s and 60’s. Actors Candy Clark and Bo Hopkins, from “American Graffitti,” were on hand to talk to their fans and sign autographs. The Awards Ceremony Host was Nicole Lamarche, Miss California, 2004. On Saturday, January 24, the Grand Nationals held their Hall of Fame Luncheon and Awards ceremony, at the prestigious Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, right next door to the Grand National Roadster Show.
 
I ran into Alex Xydias, the founder of the original So-Cal Speed Shop, which is exhibiting 19 of their cars at the Roadster Show, including the storied LSR red and white belly tank lakester, and the LSR coupe. Gene Winfield spoke of his early days in Mojave, California, before moving to Arizona. Scott Pruett was on hand, representing the sponsor of the Show, Firestone. Pruett, who won his 3rd championship in 2003,has signed on with Chip Ganassi and the Rolex Team. The “Over the Hill Gang” car club from San Bernardino, California, provided the security and help to make the show a success. Tim Holt, operations director, was everywhere, helping to solve the problems as they cropped up. The styling of the cars, trucks and motorcycles pushes customized design and styling to new heights. The judges are never satisfied, and yesterday’s breakthrough in customizing is passe at this show.
         
Gone Racin’ is at [email protected] or visit our website at www.oilstick.com