Hot Rod Power Tour/ Pump Gas Drags/ Drag Week - power tour

leaving out of my home town Detroit can't wait going to do the long haul 02 Z28 402 stroker going to put all the street tires back on and go

Me and a buddy plan on doing the long haul from dfw to detroit, then back again. :D gonna be in my stockish 99 SS.

Me and a buddy plan on doing the long haul from dfw to detroit, then back again. :D gonna be in my stockish 99 SS.

Actually it is the other way around, Detroit to Arlington. I hope to get in with a group going up there together and doing the long haul.

Actually it is the other way around, Detroit to Arlington. I hope to get in with a group going up there together and doing the long haul.

He means he's going from Texas up to Detroit before it starts and then back with the tour.

Would love to do the long haul but I doubt any of the people I'm going with will want to. I will be on the first three or four stops for sure (hopefully in a C5Z06 by then :D), but after that I think everyone in my group will be headed back home.

I'm planning on doing the hike from TX to MI then back down again with the tour as well

I'm planning on doing the hike from TX to MI then back down again with the tour as well

Same here. All of us Texans need to get a group together for the trip to the starting point. It was a long lonely trip to Cocoa Beach last year.

How long of a drive is it up there I wonder? Time is going to be a bit of a problem for me, so my buddy and I are thinking of just tearing ass up there nonstop, resting for the rest of the day/night before it starts in detroit. Anyone else gonna try to make it up there with no overnight stops? If so we are probably down for a convoy.

My brother and I are going up also from D/FW to Detroit and back. I will be in my bolt-on 2003 Electron Blue z06 and he will be in his 2004 Torrid Red GTO. We will be down to travel in a convoy from here to Detroit if we can all get a group together

How long of a drive is it up there I wonder? Time is going to be a bit of a problem for me, so my buddy and I are thinking of just tearing ass up there nonstop, resting for the rest of the day/night before it starts in detroit. Anyone else gonna try to make it up there with no overnight stops? If so we are probably down for a convoy.

Google maps puts it at about 20 hours, I would plan at least one stop if I were you.

20 hours shouldn't be bad with two drivers in one trip. I've done many 1k+ mile trips, some where I was the only driver. Early registration opened today!

Just signed up for it, wish they would let us know what all the cities are already.

Long hauling from Tulsa OK to DEtroit and then to Texas. unofficially, looks like the stops listed on the Pwr Tour forum are: Detroit, Muskegon, MI, Champaign IL, Collinsville, IL, TBA, then Stillwater OK and Arlington. Check out www.hotrod.com and go to Power Tour forum for update info.

Son and I had a blast last year. hope things work out this year. if it does will be long hauling. till then.

how much is it to register?

$83.50

No Iowa...:( what are the dates?

Did it 2011 What a great time, had lots of fun, Flat front runner LOL, than had to buy rear tires in Mi. the drag radials were no fun in the rain. WE will be doing it again in 2012.

No Iowa...:( what are the dates?

xX...

The dates are June 2nd thru June 9th, but it doesn't look like it'll be coming through Iowa in 2012.

The wife and I will be joining from the kick-off in Detroit and stick with it to the Champaign, IL Venue. We may continue on to the 4th Stop, but I don't think we'll be Long-Haulin' it this year.

I'm glad the first two stops are repeats of the last two from 2011. Those are the ones we missed last year. :nod:

I'll be doing the Long Haul with the gf again in the SS.....all you Texans and Okies can meet up with us in Joplin if you want :)

xX...

The dates are June 2nd thru June 9th, but it doesn't look like it'll be coming through Iowa in 2012.

The wife and I will be joining from the kick-off in Detroit and stick with it to the Champaign, IL Venue. We may continue on to the 4th Stop, but I don't think we'll be Long-Haulin' it this year.

I'm glad the first two stops are repeats of the last two from 2011. Those are the ones we missed last year. :nod:

Hey man, good to hear from you! I'll sen you a PM here in a bit... :nod:

I may look into this, but don't want to drive to Michigan, there are wolverines up there. :twisted:

Where's Champaign at? How far from the border is it?

Will you be in the new (to you) formula next year? I'll talk with you in a PM, so I don't get a hijack.

Will you be in the new (to you) formula next year? I'll talk with you in a PM, so I don't get a hijack.

If you mean mine he still hasn't bought it yet, but it's going up for sale in the spring....Z06 time :twisted:

And for anyone that cares, the 2011 Power Tour is on Hot Rod TV Saturday morning on the Speed channel.

If you mean mine he still hasn't bought it yet, but it's going up for sale in the spring....Z06 time :twisted:

And for anyone that cares, the 2011 Power Tour is on Hot Rod TV Saturday morning on the Speed channel.

Were you selling a car to Mumbles (Colter)?

Were you selling a car to Mumbles (Colter)?

No but it'd be perfect for his Formula collection haha.

I'm in for my 5th annual this year, and just picked up a new ride for it...silver 1996 WS6 6spd. The '76 was a blast last year, but the gas mileage beat me up. Knocked down 16-17 mpg in the morning, but once that a/c got turned on, hello 13 mpg. That was pretty brutal after 3 yrs of 25-30 mpg in the SS.

We'll most likely be leaving Kansas City and starting in Champaign, then down to Arlington. Anyone in the area is welcome to join in.

No but it'd be perfect for his Formula collection haha.

Haha, very true.

talking about the gas....i was very pleased with 27.7 mpg in my car. it help alot and used that extra money to sleep in a better hotal.

i plan on joining in from indy. not sure how many stops we'll make, but i'd like to drive up and start in detroit. last year i went with dad in his 72 lt1 swapped elco. this year i will be taking the ta and he'll be in the elco. we had a blast last year making the last 3 stops on the tour. both vehicles are black :).

Where's Champaign at? How far from the border is it?

Google says Champaign is about 6 hours from Des Moines.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Champaign,+IL&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x880cd08dde97691b:0x30f57847b475bfcf,Champa ign,+IL&gl=us&ei=QKflTumfC4bjggeE5pzzBQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CDgQ8gEwAQ

Will you be in the new (to you) formula next year? I'll talk with you in a PM, so I don't get a hijack.

Yeah. The plan, for now, is to take the 2000 WS6. Unless I seriously kick it in the ass and get the Black car finished by then. I haven't exactly started on it, yet, so I don't think that's gonna happen. :(

If you mean mine he still hasn't bought it yet, but it's going up for sale in the spring....Z06 time :twisted:

Were you selling a car to Mumbles (Colter)?

No but it'd be perfect for his Formula collection haha.

LOL. Your car would be awesome to add to the Fleet. I know I mentioned wanting it, but I'm definitely gonna fix my 99 Formy. After thinking about it, I decided I can't justify having 2 nearly identical Black 4th Gens. I'm sorry to hear you'll be selling it soon. I'm sure you'll more than enjoy having a Vette. Not quite as much room for luggage in two seat-er though. Have to cut down on the all the Power Tour Memorabilia in the future. :D

LOL. Your car would be awesome to add to the Fleet. I know I mentioned wanting it, but I'm definitely gonna fix my 99 Formy. After thinking about it, I decided I can't justify having 2 nearly identical Black 4th Gens. I'm sorry to hear you'll be selling it soon. I'm sure you'll more than enjoy having a Vette. Not quite as much room for luggage in two seat-er though. Have to cut down on the all the Power Tour Memorabilia in the future. :D

Well when I look at Z06s for sale for $25-30k (500+whp, supercharger, built drive-train, nice wheels), then look at my car and what it would take to get it there it just wouldn't make sense haha. It would take me throwing $15-20k at my car to get to the same level as those cars are, all while adding $0 to the value of my car if I sold it after that, and it would always have an extra 2-300lbs to carry around.

I might have to get another Formula in the somewhat distant future (Firehawk Formula next time, :hail:), but it's hard to beat a Z06(or a C6 LS3) for the money. I got to take a friends Z51 C6 for a drive and that's what really sealed the deal for me haha, sooo much more precise than my car is in the corners.

Anyways, back to the topic, has anyone found out what the last two unnamed cities are?

xX...

The dates are June 2nd thru June 9th, but it doesn't look like it'll be coming through Iowa in 2012.

The wife and I will be joining from the kick-off in Detroit and stick with it to the Champaign, IL Venue. We may continue on to the 4th Stop, but I don't think we'll be Long-Haulin' it this year.

I'm glad the first two stops are repeats of the last two from 2011. Those are the ones we missed last year. :nod: Yeah i remember reading your post and i felt bad for you because muskegan was the best stop of the whole tour and im stoked that were going back i cant wait to kill some back tires in down town like last year, hell we had two burnout spots going at the same time on the main road for like 2 or 3 hours and the cops didnt care until it got dark then they just parked and made us leave.

I'll be doing the Long Haul with the gf again in the SS.....all you Texans and Okies can meet up with us in Joplin if you want :)So the beast is still running strong huh? i hope to have a job and be able to go again this year.I was the big dude with the black ta you met while checking in at the port.

im registered and have most of my hotels booked. Is it June yet? :)

It comes right through my town, Champaign. Looks like I will be participating this year!

Ok the stop BEFORE Stillwater OK is Miami OK at the Buffalo Run Casino. Woot Yoo! 2 stops in Oklahoma!

I see the previous post mentions the Venue of the 5th Day's Stop in Miami, OK.

Can anyone tell me what Venue will be holding the Stop in each of the other cities on the HRPT 2012? I'd kind of like to know how close my hotel is to each Venue.

UPDATE: Did a little digging and found the info I was looking for here:

http://www.familyevents.com/event/229

I see the previous post mentions the Venue of the 5th Day's Stop in Miami, OK.

Can anyone tell me what Venue will be holding the Stop in each of the other cities on the HRPT 2012? I'd kind of like to know how close my hotel is to each Venue.

You already have your hotels picked out?

I see the previous post mentions the Venue of the 5th Day's Stop in Miami, OK.

Can anyone tell me what Venue will be holding the Stop in each of the other cities on the HRPT 2012? I'd kind of like to know how close my hotel is to each Venue.

UPDATE: Did a little digging and found the info I was looking for here:

http://www.familyevents.com/event/229

Thanks! Didn't know the first day was at the Proving grounds instead of the park like the last stop last year, that's awesome!

A group of us will be coming to stillwater and back down to Dallas from San Antonio. Won't be able to get off for the whole trip. We are super excited to hang out and cruise with all the rides.

I guess we're still waiting for the last two cities

7 Tours, last 5 in a row, Long Haul. This year HSV,DTW, DFW and back to HSV.

Will be in either my '02 SLP convrt (pretty much stock, a few bolt-ons) or my '93 TBird, Vortech 32V, 6 Spd...

The Tour is so addictive!!

subscribing...

I was just talking with John (I think his name on here is something like 94bird or something but he has "The Green Mile" '60 chevy wagon with a Turbo LS)

we are thinking about making it this year in either his wagon or my turbo LS '69 GTO...

we are also in DFW

You already have your hotels picked out?

No not yet, but very soon. It seems the longer you wait to book them the more the prices go up, so the sooner the better. I'll probably make my Reservations here within the next couple weeks.

I'm waiting for now to see if my bro (and possibly our Dad) is gonna come along this time. In which case, we'll need two Rooms. And the easiest way to insure we get them at the same hotel is to book them simultaneously.

I'm also trying to decide if we'll be joining the tour for 4 days or 5 days. Detroit to St. Louis (Collinsville) just doesn't seem to be that far to travel and I don't know if it will satify me. But then again, I'm not sure I want to drive the entire width of Missouri to reach Miami, OK on the 5th day. Ah... decisions... decisions... :D

No not yet, but very soon. It seems the longer you wait to book them the more the prices go up, so the sooner the better. I'll probably make my Reservations here within the next couple weeks.

I'm waiting for now to see if my bro (and possibly our Dad) is gonna come along this time. In which case, we'll need two Rooms. And the easiest way to insure we get them at the same hotel is to book them simultaneously.

I'm also trying to decide if we'll be joining the tour for 4 days or 5 days. Detroit to St. Louis (Collinsville) just doesn't seem to be that far to travel and I don't know if it will satify me. But then again, I'm not sure I want to drive the entire width of Missouri to reach Miami, OK on the 5th day. Ah... decisions... decisions... :D
Does your bro have that 35th aniv. SS? What does your dad drive?

I will b driving from NWArkansas to the weds stop before u guys get there and spend some time and $$ in the vendor areas. Stay that night and run to around Tulsa before I gotta head back. So really just a day and a 1/2 but it'll b my first time!!

Does your bro have that 35th aniv. SS? What does your dad drive?

Yeah, Tristan would be putting some miles on his 35th SS. If he decides to go, it will be the longest trip the car has ever been on. At present date, it has just over 5k on the clock.

Dad would be Tristan's Copilot on this trip. His 2007 Cobalt would get great mileage on a roadtrip, but not what I'd wanna roll in on Power Tour. I've hinted around about him picking up a Modern Muscle Car, like a new Camaro or Corvette, but all is get is a "Yeah, right." LOL

Although Dad does have a potential candidate for a future Power Tour vehicle. He has a 1970 AMC Javelin Mark Donohue, 360 cu. in. with a 4 speed. The car is in serious need of restoration, but someday, I would love to cruise in that car. I guess its yet another project to add to the list.

I'll be touring from Detroit to the STL area. I'm driving an LS1 swapped 3rd Gen, it'll be the 3rd tour for the 3rd Gen, but the first for the Gen III engine. :)

Hope to have mine buttoned up and running by then....cant miss this one!

Any suggestions for a first timer. I am planning being there for the Miami OK stop.

I'm located in KC and going to start in Champaign. If any of you guys coming up from Texas want to meet up and run up with me let me know.

Hot Rod posted on Facebook yesterday that the starting point will be at the Milford Proving Grounds! For those of you that didn't make the long hauler ceremony last year, the facility is a sight to behold and worth the trip.

i think im gonna join in this year in champaign and go down to madison and then back home seems like a blast

Just an FYI, the 4th Day of the 2012 HRPT will be held at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, IL.

So that's it guys! All the stops are decided. Time to get your Hotels booked!

Just an FYI, the 4th Day of the 2012 HRPT will be held at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, IL.

So that's it guys! All the stops are decided. Time to get your Hotels booked!

Thanks. That's what I have been waiting on.

miami, ok? are you KIDDING me? that town sucks, trust me. Buffalo Run is right on I-44, so from madison, il to miami is going to be one long, boring-ass drive across missouri straight down I-44....nothing to see anywhere along the way at all. i was really hoping they'd have it in Springfield or Topeka....oh well. i'm still stoked.

Any suggestions for a first timer. I am planning being there for the Miami OK stop.

Bring a camera and your walking shoes :lol:

Sounds pretty good. About how many vehicles should I expect to see.

Sounds pretty good. About how many vehicles should I expect to see.

I think there is usually around 4,000 at each event, with around 2,000 that did the long haul last year. So, A LOT! haha...It's good times.

Thanks. That's what I have been waiting on.

As of yesterday, perhaps earlier, all the hotels (except the Gateway Hilton) were booked at Gateway and Miami,OK...that leg is 311 miles.

Think I'll bite the bullet, get my magnets and go on to Tulsa...that casino looks like a dump anyway...anyone remember the Indian casino in Evansville in '07?

As of yesterday, perhaps earlier, all the hotels (except the Gateway Hilton) were booked at Gateway and Miami,OK...that leg is 311 miles.

Think I'll bite the bullet, get my magnets and go on to Tulsa...that casino looks like a dump anyway...anyone remember the Indian casino in Evansville in '07?

Downstream Casino just outside Joplin...if you're looking for a nice casino and motel. the place is brand new and pretty badass really. It's the last exit in MO before crossing into OK. you'll be able to see it for quite some distance before and after the exit.

Downstream Casino just outside Joplin...if you're looking for a nice casino and motel. the place is brand new and pretty badass really. It's the last exit in MO before crossing into OK. you'll be able to see it for quite some distance before and after the exit.

Thanks very much!

4kiro, (& anyone else)

if u want more info check out www.hotrod.com and go to the Power Tour forum. There is a wealth of info on there! Also www.bangshift.com has an "unofficial" Power Tour forum as well, also full of any kind of info u need :)

another option is staying in Joplin. I dont know how many rooms are still occupied by disaster relief people, but there are plenty of motels in joplin or even in carthage....miami, ok is about an hour or so away, straight down I-44.

I-44 is a toll road once you hit the OK stateline, so keep some change in the cup holder.

this past year...son and i would travel out 15/20 miles out towards the next stop and never paid more then $50 for one. was not the only one.

The only downside to staying away from the group is all the fun u miss out on by not being with the others, hell the parking lot at night is half the fun of power tour having some beers and bs'ing about cars.

The only downside to staying away from the group is all the fun u miss out on by not being with the others, hell the parking lot at night is half the fun of power tour having some beers and bs'ing about cars.

Bingo

The only downside to staying away from the group is all the fun u miss out on by not being with the others, hell the parking lot at night is half the fun of power tour having some beers and bs'ing about cars.

Had WAY more fun with the burnout contest at our hotel in Indy then I did walking around in 100+ weather all day :lol:. Except for driving around the track there, that was by far the most fun part of the tour to me.

Ideally I'd like to make the run from Warren down to Miami and then just head back up to KC. I might just do the middle part of the tour, not sure which though.

every stop we did I stayed up till midnight talking with others. people working on there cars, drinking a beer, etc. did not miss anything. better paying $50 then $100 plus. the best part in my Op was the drive not the stay.

every stop we did I stayed up till midnight talking with others. people working on there cars, drinking a beer, etc. did not miss anything. better paying $50 then $100 plus. the best part in my Op was the drive not the stay.

We were always less than 10min from the venue and our hotels were only like $60-80, if you shop around you can get good deals.

i would use my gps to find hotels / motels within 10 miles and i would get a list and # for each. yes $60 to $80 for like a hotel but we just need a place to sleep so we would look for a motel 6 , red roof, etc. still had a great time in the evenings.

If u book early u get good spots at a good price last year me and the wife didn't book our hotel until we left that morning because we weren't sure we could even go so it was crazy and cost us more but we still had a blast but if u use Travelocity and use there secret rooms u get a really nice hotel cheap but your not with the pack so this year were booking early and check the forums on hotrod.com to see the hotels others are using.

this past year...son and i would travel out 15/20 miles out towards the next stop and never paid more then $50 for one. was not the only one.

Funny, my Dad and I do the same!

We also skip out on the drivers meeting so we are able to make that days venue in time to checkout all (ok MOST) of the cars! We like taking the recommended route because it is generally more senic except for last year where they ran lots of interstate!

Had WAY more fun with the burnout contest at our hotel in Indy then I did walking around in 100+ weather all day :lol:. Except for driving around the track there, that was by far the most fun part of the tour to me.

True that. The best part of Indy was the cruise around the Brickyard. Even though it was only one lap and a bit more controlled than I believe was necessary, Turn 1 & 2 were a lot of fun! Although I think the most fun I had on the Tour was Drag Racing at Montgomery on the 3rd Day. I think I could do that every day and not get tired of it. :D

the lap around indy was not good. never got off 1st gear. never again with so many cars on track at the same time.

the lap around indy was not good. never got off 1st gear. never again with so many cars on track at the same time.

How many people have you bragged to about getting to do a lap around Indy? That is why it was worth it! Sure it was a big pain in the ass having to take it slow, and wait in line forever in the heat, but that's a memory that you get to keep the rest of your life.

How many people have you bragged to about getting to do a lap around Indy? That is why it was worth it! Sure it was a big pain in the ass having to take it slow, and wait in line forever in the heat, but that's a memory that you get to keep the rest of your life.

F%#$ yeah that's why I paid a 100 bucks for the giant poster i didn't need but man is it cool up on the wall and I'll be talking about it for years everytime someone says "what's that"?

I will be leaving from the KC MO area heading to Detroit and then doing the long haul.

1987 MOnte Carlo SS with 2008 LY^.60 and 4L85E tranny.

We will be driving up from South Texas to the Miami, Oklahoma stop, then joining everyone to Stillwater, Ok and on to Arlington, Texas. Our Tour car will be our 1978 Trans Am. Worked on it all weekend. Trying to make the interior as comfy as possible since momma is coming with me. Still have to install a 200R4 overdrive in it and a Vintage Air A/C system. And if we get lucky, we might even have time to paint it and give it the full Bandit treatment.

I guess I have a change in the lineup this year. The wife decided she would sit this one out, so my Dad stepped up and said he would join me this year as copilot. We'll be cruising to Detroit in the 00 WS6 to join the kick off and roll with everyone thru the stop in Collinsville, IL.

I just finished registering and booking the hotels for the two of us. Found some pretty decent deals and it looks like I'll be spending way less than what I had budgeted for last year. I'm liking that.

FYI: If you plan to book your rooms thru the FamilyEvents Site, there are a shitload of "NO VACANCY" signs for the dates at Muskegon and Champaign. You'll definitely have to do some searching on your own to score a room.

since i dont know how much work we'll have in june....we will just wing it like last year. looks like gas will be way over $ 4. :eek2:

Anyone do the tour on mt et streets? Im curious how they handle extended highway use.

Def taking the ta. will have some obnoxious exhaust and gears by then - woot.

Ill be driving at collinsville il and drive alittle not far. Who wants to meet up and do a few runs. We race right by there.

Anyone do the tour on mt et streets? Im curious how they handle extended highway use.

Def taking the ta. will have some obnoxious exhaust and gears by then - woot.

i can tell you BFG G-Force Drag Radials SUCK...tires had 14 miles on them when i left home last year and they were BALD less than halfway into the tour with NO burnouts or excess wheel spin...MT's MUST do better than that.

i thought about some bfg drag radials. i don't think the ones i had were the g-force or whatever, but they seemed to last forever and the car went 1.6x on them all day. i drove to st louis, evansville, cincinasty, etc on those tires.

i like the et streets better, but i'm not sure how they'll like the highway.

Why are you guys worried about running sticky tires? Just run street tires, it's not some big drag racing event. Chances are pretty good it's going to rain at least one of the days, and even though I've never ran drag tires I'm sure they can't be any fun in the rain.

i wasn't worried about sticky tires, that's just what was on the car. i plan on running a full set of Nittos this year.

i am not going to buy a set of street radials for my 15x10 rear wheels. i have a fairly new set of tires on the stock ws6 wheels, but bigs and littles will look so much better.

i'm just going to buy some mt et street drs. i've had those before, too, and i was very happy with how they performed.

Sean get some Nitto 555r's. I ran them on your old camaro and daily drove it on that and they were great. just fine for wet roads and long lasting, cause when they were cold they were hard like a normal summer tire but do a good long burnout and they are like a soft MT compound.

Look for us in Muskegon, we will be one of the title sponsors for the Muskegon stop.

We really enjoyed our time last year in Muskegon, should be blast!

When they stop in collinsville are they running at gateway the drag strip?

i hope so. i think i am going to get some nt05rs or m/t et street drs...for the stock wheels. this 99 car is killing me. i feel like i am starting a restoration project as well. i have to fix a bunch of goofy shit that has no bearing on the car's performance. lame.

People from georgia post up.......are you driving to Michigan. Maybe we can meet and drive up. located in 30542.

People from georgia post up.......are you driving to Michigan. Maybe we can meet and drive up. located in 30542.

I'll be coming up through Macon most likely

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd140/ls1novas/e1bad25f.jpg



http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd140/ls1novas/29eabe1e.jpg

Ls2 6 speed full air ride. Last year we had the 66 nova with the twin turbo duramax diesel in it. This year we wanted to work on our tans. :)

i remember that nova....made my sticker peck out

i remember that nova....made my sticker peck out

Heck yea, that engine looked like it belonged in there.

Well, got my new car so I'm ready to blend in with the other billion Corvettes on this years tour haha.

Nice Vette gocartone! Beautiful Color! Hope I get a chance to check it out at one of the stops.

Nice Vette gocartone! Beautiful Color! Hope I get a chance to check it out at one of the stops.

Thanks! It gets better gas mileage than my Firebird did and is making probably an extra 150whp haha, hard to beat that! Not to mention how much nicer everything else is about it, always hated the way the Formula would push into corners. And JSB>>>>>>>>>>>black when it comes to keeping it clean, but if it never left the garage I would take a mirror-like black over any color.

Optima will be the Grand Finale Cruise Night Sponsor in Arlington and I'll be running the long haul. Find me at the Proving Grounds and grab my phone number, if you think you might have battery issues along the way.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.twitter.com/optimabatteries

Optima will be the Grand Finale Cruise Night Sponsor in Arlington and I'll be running the long haul. Find me at the Proving Grounds and grab my phone number, if you think you might have battery issues along the way.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.twitter.com/optimabatteries

Any deals on Optima Batteries for Power Tour Participants?

I know you currently have a $25 Rebate available if I purchase one before the end of the month of May.

Any deals on Optima Batteries for Power Tour Participants?

I know you currently have a $25 Rebate available if I purchase one before the end of the month of May.

Besides our $25 rebate, I can't post publicly about any special offers or promotions other than to say that everyone who participated in our last Faceoff event at Road America felt like they got their money's worth just in terms of what they received for participating in the event. We will be having another Faceoff event in Arlington (http://optimainvitational.com/optima_faceoff_at_hotrod_power_tour.html) this year.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.twitter.com/optimabatteries

Power Tour is almost here! For my cousins and I, its like our own week long episode of Top Gear.

Plus its just a great challenge for a vehicle built from the ground up, a personal victory every year. This is my first tour with the LS1/T56, 3rd for the Camaro..

I can't make the Power Tour unfortunately, but I live in St. Louis. Is there a way to attend the event in Madison, IL without paying to be a participant in the entire event (something like a day pass)?

If you want to enter your car, there is a fee but if you just want to come in and look around, no charge to do that. You can also jump in and cruise with the cars either coming or leaving the venue.

We won't be able to do the entire Power Tour, but we will meet up with everyone in Miami, OK. We will be driving our 1961 Chevy Parkwood station wagon that has a 6.0L LY6 with VVT and our heads/cam package, as well as our 2011 Camaro that has our heads/cam package and a Whipple supercharger that makes just over 700 RWHP. The cars will be hard to miss considering that the wagon is bright red, has blacked out windows, and sits on Air Ride, and the Camaro is synergy green and slammed on 22" charcoal gray wheels. If you see the cars and we're hanging around them, please stop by to say hello! If you see a red streak on the interstate that mimics a land barge and is going faster than a '61 wagon was originally built to go, odds are that's me. :D The give-away will be the green streak directly in front or behind the red streak. :cheers:

Trevor
Texas Speed & Performance

We won't be able to do the entire Power Tour, but we will meet up with everyone in Miami, OK. We will be driving our 1961 Chevy Parkwood station wagon that has a 6.0L LY6 with VVT and our heads/cam package, as well as our 2011 Camaro that has our heads/cam package and a Whipple supercharger that makes just over 700 RWHP. The cars will be hard to miss considering that the wagon is bright red, has blacked out windows, and sits on Air Ride, and the Camaro is synergy green and slammed on 22" charcoal gray wheels. If you see the cars and we're hanging around them, please stop by to say hello! If you see a red streak on the interstate that mimics a land barge and is going faster than a '61 wagon was originally built to go, odds are that's me. :D The give-away will be the green streak directly in front or behind the red streak. :cheers:

Trevor
Texas Speed & Performance

Will drop by and say hello for sure...gotta see the Parkwood.

Anyone from MO wanna caravan? Leaving from Kansas City on Sat morning and heading to Muskee.

Subscribed

The Power Tour route is out! http://www.hotrod.com/powertour/2012/hrpt_2012_driving_directions/

Everyone is leaving miami at 8:30 any idea kinda sorta what time people will start pulling into stillwater ok at plus or minus a little.

Everyone is leaving miami at 8:30 any idea kinda sorta what time people will start pulling into stillwater ok at plus or minus a little.

It's not too long of a drive, and the venue doesn't open until noon, so don't be in too big of a hurry. I'd say the majority of people arrive from 1-3 depending on the length of drive and how many beers were consumed the night before.

I'm from Tulsa OK and the route they chose from Miami to Stillwater sure surprised me! BUt since I dont know what all goes into determining the route, I can't criticize however it sure seems like a long way around to get there. Going the way they say, will take longer than the usual way to go to Stillwater which is on the main roads (from the Tulsa area) which takes about an hour more or less depending where u leave from.

Also some may want to take parts of Rte 66 too (from Miami). We will jump in south of Tulsa and go to Rte 16 and go via Bristow OK.

they choose scenic routes for participants so the vendors can take the fast routes to venues and get set up before people start piling in and get in the way. they really don't care much for the people that caravan straight down the interstate and meet them at the gate.

I did some figuring and if they follow the route from Miami to Stillwater, is about 4 hours, more or less. Looks like we will jump in at Beggs OK, Rt 16 and from there close to 2 hrs. Those 2 lane roads are gonna be jammed :) So maybe my guestimate of the time is off???

The Power Tour route is out! http://www.hotrod.com/powertour/2012/hrpt_2012_driving_directions/

Thanks, maromoma!

I thought they had this out sooner last year and was beginning to think we were on our own for 2012. :usa:

Mumbles, someone said on the hot rod forum that the route came out May 21st last year, so they were a day later this year. Cutting it kinda close IMHO :)

they choose scenic routes for participants so the vendors can take the fast routes to venues and get set up before people start piling in and get in the way. they really don't care much for the people that caravan straight down the interstate and meet them at the gate.

The choose the scenic routes because most people (myself included) would much rather cruise down back roads and through small towns with a big group of horsepower than the interstate. The vendors go the night before everyone else does IIRC, so that wouldn't matter either way.

I agree, I love the back roads and small town USA. But when the distance between venues is huge like 300 miles + its hard to get there in time to enjoy it! One time we were so late in arriving, we just went to the hotel and out to dinner. It was like 5pm!

I'll be driving down from Ottawa, Ontario ~800kms to Windsor, Ontario to pick up my brother and do the first 4 days of the tour. Very excited for this.

Oh, we'll be in the Camaro.

I'll be driving down from Ottawa, Ontario ~800kms to Windsor, Ontario to pick up my brother and do the first 4 days of the tour. Very excited for this.

Oh, we'll be in the Camaro.

What's a km? Just f-'n with you. Have a safe trip...you'll probably do the most scenic driving before the tour starts.

Mumbles, someone said on the hot rod forum that the route came out May 21st last year, so they were a day later this year. Cutting it kinda close IMHO :)

May 21st of 2011, huh? Like I said, it seemed like it was sooner than that, but I guess I could be wrong. Doesn't matter though. Its here and I'm glad to have it. :D

The choose the scenic routes because most people (myself included) would much rather cruise down back roads and through small towns with a big group of horsepower than the interstate. The vendors go the night before everyone else does IIRC, so that wouldn't matter either way.

I agree, I love the back roads and small town USA. But when the distance between venues is huge like 300 miles + its hard to get there in time to enjoy it! One time we were so late in arriving, we just went to the hotel and out to dinner. It was like 5pm!

Back roads are an absolute BLAST to drive! The ones going from Nashville to Indianapolis last year were amazing!

Although, I agree when it comes to traveling such a long distance. If you take the scenic route, you arrive at the venue with very little time to enjoy it. I know we arrived extremely late to the stop in Georgia last year, but I don't know if it was due to the route, or the fact that we participated in the NASA Cruise "Behind the Fence" that ate up quite a bit of time.

Anyone with a Hugger Orange Camaro doing the tour? Hope to hook up with you if there are ...:usa:

I'm trying to get a group together in the Texas section.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-members/1550271-power-tour-convoy-rollout-lets-get-something-organized.html

They definately told us at a driver meeting that they wanted people taking "the route" so everyone could get set up in time. i drank enough beer after shows with vendors last year to know they weren't leaving the night before :lol:

I agree though that participants need to take the back roads. i grew up on back roads and that's where everything worth seeing is at.

Have any of you taken a closer look at this year's Driving Route? In particular Muskegon to Champaign? I built a map on GoogleMaps from these directions and according to the site it'll take just under 7 hours to complete. Seven fucking hours?!

I plan to follow the provided route for as long as possible, but I'll break off and jump on the shortest route if I think its getting late.

I can understand the Vendors need time to set up, but in this instance I think there's a better chance of not making it to the venue in time and we'll be seeing them tear down.

Ready to go...

http://ls1tech.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=355970&stc=1&d=1338130627

:cool:

We are long hauling from Mobile Al Thursday morning, will be with a bad ass LS3 powered 66 Nova wagon(blue). I will be in this.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380264_10151678010110314_231711441_n.jpg

Look for us in the wagon. Only change from the pic will be one or two TSP decals for advertising. ;)

http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab78/TexasSpeed2010/1961%20Chevrolet%20Parkwood%20Wagon/photo2.jpg

damn...that is sexy. i'll be sure to swing by and check it out.

will be hanging out all day sunday at muskegon cant wait should be good fun again

Anyone with a Hugger Orange Camaro doing the tour? Hope to hook up with you if there are ...:usa:

I got your hugger orange Camaro :burn:

FYI to all you participants....the ONLY place i am aware of in southwest missouri that sells 93 octane is Mac's on 32nd street in Joplin. Take the Rangeline road exit off of I-44, go about a mile north to 32nd then west (left) about a mile and it's on the right.

...also, all the restaurants you'll want to eat at are in Joplin, on or near Rangeline or Main street.

Getting excited about the tour. Plan on going to the Bull Run and Stillwater OK

I got your hugger orange Camaro :burn:

No, you had my Hugger Orange Camaro and you mucked up and sold it to me. It's NA but will give your blown vette a run for its money beotch!

No, you had my Hugger Orange Camaro and you mucked up and sold it to me. It's NA but will give your blown vette a run for its money beotch!

We're gonna find out about that :burn:

We made it to Louisville Ky tonight, rained like a MOFO the last 2 hours up here. All our nice clean cars are filthy now LOL.

Are the cars in louisville today? Stopped? Where and plans?

I will be watching for you guys, supposed to be rolling by not far from my house down M-57 north of Flint a few miles on Sunday from M-15. Thats what I was told anyway.

I just watched the power tour roll through my hometown of Clio Mi & that is one gigantic rolling car cruise. It mustve took at least 3 hours before they all made it through town. A lot of cars, I had no idea it was that big.

we'll be picking up the tour in champaign tomorrow afternoon. same el camino as last year, but new wheels.

Anyone making the trip from champaign to Madison keep an eye out for a herbie barn find at mile marker 77 south side of the interstate. After you get on interstate at altamont Illinois, mile marker 82, herbie is on the south side of the interstate next to a pond right before you get to St.Elmo.

dang power tour this year is lsx nation lol

just went to the assembly hall wow alot of cars! I am definitley doing this at some point.

I'm goin to hit up todays leg in the vette.

What time are they suppose to be there in Miami

The venue opens at Noon at Miami, but since its a long trek from St Louis area to Miami, unless folks get up at the crack of dawn and go I44 rather than the PT route, they probably will arrive anywhere from noon to even 2-3PM. I know we are leaving about 630am and taking I44 and hope to get there by 1230pn which includes a meal stop along the way.

going up hwy 50 in Union Mo. right now heading to a casino in OK.

Ok first time going, alot of nice cars. Saw a white ss with a ls1tech sticker, didn't see the car I wanted to see. That SOM Camaro.

Lots of nice cars.. Went and checked out the ones staying at hotels and parked at restaurants in Joplin. Bet half of the cars we saw are on tech.

2000_SS how's the car doing? Figure anything out on the clutch?

My Dad and I got back yesterday from our portion of this year's Power Tour. Here's a link to the over 200 pics I took, including the first 4 days of Power Tour and the Lingenfelter Collection on the day before the Tour began.

http://s1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff392/Cottonwood121/?action=view&current=065.jpg#!oZZ231QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs12 33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff392%2FCottonwood12 1%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3D064.jpg

The pictures are in reverse chronological order, so the most recent pics are on Page 1 and the pictures from the start of the trip begin on Page 10 with a Blue Chevelle in the rain. The link takes you to the picture of the Chevelle, then the following shots can be seen by hitting the PREVIOUS Button.

Great shots, looks like I missed you in Effingham.

Great shots, looks like I missed you in Effingham.

Thanks, Furious. Looks like you have a really nice T/A. Wish I'd have gotten the chance to check it out at Mid-America. What an AWESOME stop that was though! Great weather, great food, awesome tunes, wonderful people and don't forget the thousands of beautiful rides. It's hard to pick a favorite stop on the tour, but Effingham was without a doubt one of the best! :thumb:

It was a great lunch stop, I actually got to see more cars there than any other stop I made.

hey guys, I am in need of a Milford proving ground Day 1 magnet that MSD was giving out. I got there at 3pm and they had already run out. I have all their magnets for the past 3 years and really want a complete set. If anyone has one they would be willing to part with, please shoot me a PM. Would be willing to throw some $$ your way

Smoke

Check the MDS website and they will post all the magnets. Simply print the artwork, get a sheet magnet at Hobby Lobby (or Wal Mart!!), cut to fit and presto...your missing magnet. Depending upon the quality of your printer, you won't be able to tell the difference.

Good Luck

hey guys, I am in need of a Milford proving ground Day 1 magnet that MSD was giving out. I got there at 3pm and they had already run out. I have all their magnets for the past 3 years and really want a complete set. If anyone has one they would be willing to part with, please shoot me a PM. Would be willing to throw some $$ your way

That was BS that they ran out so quickly. For all the money spent you would expect them to pony up and buy way more $0.10 magnets than they need. Between that, and the wait to get out of the Proving Grounds, I was totally unimpressed with how that stop was ran. We went on the first three stops and first two lunch stops, and I have to say that the lunch stops were FAR more impressive with how they were run than the actual events were.

Anyone got some good videos of the drags in Madison?

2000_SS, thanks for the Joplin restaurant tip, we ended up eating at Wilder's and it was awesome. I tried to convince David (FASTFATBOY) to join us, but he was busy doing laundry. David, it was great catching up with you again and I'm really glad you entered the Faceoff. I trust you got plenty of track time. I'm sure you'll look good on TV.

http://assets4.pinimg.com/upload/252905335295010501_c17kIrYc.jpg

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

2000_SS, thanks for the Joplin restaurant tip, we ended up eating at Wilder's and it was awesome. I tried to convince David (FASTFATBOY) to join us, but he was busy doing laundry. David, it was great catching up with you again and I'm really glad you entered the Faceoff. I trust you got plenty of track time. I'm sure you'll look good on TV.

http://assets4.pinimg.com/upload/252905335295010501_c17kIrYc.jpg

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

Jim I appreciate the experience, it was great.

Next time I will come with my good tires and brake ducts with me and go a little quicker.

I was really surprised I did as well as I did, It was a lot of fun. Finishing 17th overall was a BIG surprise.

Sorry about the laundry, was glad I got it done later in the week though.

Please call me when you are down this way again.

Here is a link to 400+pics from my long haul/optima Faceoff adventure.

Hwy 10 scenic in Illinois was beautiful, what a great stretch of road!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151754837690314.854602.695920313&type=3&l=c16e3348e5

i will make one of these tours before i get too old.........looks like you had a lot of fun david

2000_SS, thanks for the Joplin restaurant tip, we ended up eating at Wilder's and it was awesome. I tried to convince David (FASTFATBOY) to join us, but he was busy doing laundry. David, it was great catching up with you again and I'm really glad you entered the Faceoff. I trust you got plenty of track time. I'm sure you'll look good on TV.

http://assets4.pinimg.com/upload/252905335295010501_c17kIrYc.jpg

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

No problem, glad you liked it!

2000_SS how's the car doing? Figure anything out on the clutch?

No man, not yet. i've actually not touched my car since we got it home. i have a buddy who is trying to get his '67 camaro done and ready for tulsa this weekend. I built the turbo kit for it, so me being home all last week was kind of a blessing in disguise. We crammed a lot of welding in and got it done, so i guess my vacation wasn't totally wasted.

Regardless of the issue, i plan on replacing the clutch and slave and having the tranny tore down and gone through. Whatever the vibrations was, i'm concerned it was bad enough to wear out a bearing or two.