Hot Rod Reunion pre-event news 2007-06-14

Party Time at 5th NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, Fri., June 15
There will be an Honoree reception inside the Columbus Airport Marriott and a full-scale celebration in the parking lot

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- (June 14, 2007) -- Two free-to-the-public festive events with a hot rod flair will take place at the Columbus Airport Marriott on Friday night, June 15 as part of the 3-day celebration surrounding the 5th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal. The Reunion runs from June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway.

Festivities will begin inside the Marriott Ballroom at 7 p.m. for the reception that's a tribute to the Reunion's Grand Marshal and Honorees, as well as a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing's heroes. Grand Marshal for the event is Jeg Coughlin. This year's honorees are John Abbott, Don Cain, Ted Harbit, Fred Hurst, and the team of Gary Rupp and Pat Dakin. The Justice Bros. Reunion Spotlight highlights Frank Hawley.

While the reception is going on, the Marriot parking lot will be packed with hot rods, street rod, muscle cars and classics, offering a preview of the many colorful vehicles that will be at the Reunion, vying for SoffSeal Show 'n Shine awards. Typically, hundreds of people fill the lot and after the reception lets out -- around 10 p.m. -- a nostalgic dragster or two is started, shooting flames and exciting the crowd.

"It's a great night for all," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which produces and benefits from the Reunion. "The Honoree reception is a special, historic event that the fans enjoy. Many of the fans haven't seen their drag racing heroes in decades. And then to go outside to the raging party in the parking lot is like a kick in the pants. And that's what the Reunion is all about: fun!"

The 5th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, is part of the museum's Hot Rod Heritage Series which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.

Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods, classics, customs and muscle cars of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.

Daily general admission tickets/pit passes will be available at the National Trail Raceway gate, 2650 National Rd. SW, Hebron, Ohio 43025; phone: 740/928-5706; www.nationaltrailraceway.com. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

-credit: museum.nhra.com.