Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour 2002

Over 500 hot rods made the pilgrimage to take part in the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour 2002 kick off at Speedway Motors in Lincoln, Nebraska! MSD has been a sponsor of the tour since 1995 and we racked up the midwest miles as the tour traversed to Kansas City, St. Louis, Louisville, Columbus, Pontiac and Youngstown, Ohio. This Super Bee was buzzing down the road and if you weren’t there, make plans for 2003!

The super-trick-way-cool MSD pro street ’55 just missed the go ahead to make the tour so we tugged along in our support truck from BFGoodrich. (Tour ’03 for sure.) The stout Ram was beefed up to the hilt so it could take on the rigors of Midwestern highways. It was great of BFG to help us again – and you can win (as in own) this very truck by going to www.goinsauto.com/dodge1.html.

We had our local rep Larry Johnson of All Midwest Sales give us a hand for the first couple legs of the tour. Not only did LJ stock our cooler, he also was able to get us a behind the scenes tour through Speedway Motors huge new warehouse to see all the high tech shipping and packing departments. This place is impressive! We even got to spend a few minutes in Speedy Bill’s office to catch up on ignition happenings.

This guy was certainly not starting the Power Tour on a high note.

Neither rain, sleet or cold weather could dampen the Power Tour spirits of John Hotchkis. We caught him battling the wind and rain to hoist the company flag at the kick-off. The Hotchkis crew hauls our display and goodies from town to town. We’d be lost without them – thanks guys.

Those from fair weather states didn’t quite know how to deal with the chilly weather and rain. Gary from Mothers Polish was trying to keep dry by any means and found their goodie bags to do the help do the trick.

Despite the foul, chilly weather, people came out in droves to take part in the Power Tour kickoff. We stayed busy throughout the day!

Bill Smith and his lovely wife are known for a huge collection of race cars, engines, pedal cars, toys and pretty much anything else car related. A new three story museum is being assembled and power tour participants were treated to an early peek. The museum has its grand opening in the fall. Do yourself a favor and GO! Here are just a sample.

Ever see a 1918 Chevrolet V8? Speedway has one (probably more in the warehouse too). Check out that exposed valve train!

We’ve been toying with the idea of doing a 16 terminal distributor cap…not! It’d take a spool of wire just to make a set of wires for this custom V-16 engine.

Instead of plug wires there are always these nifty brass strips. Low resistance for sure, though they wouldn’t do much to suppress electrical interference. You’re much better off with our 8.5mm Super Conductor wires.

I’m not sure what year this point-of-purchase display for the Hot Spark by DuCoil was out but it didn’t quite convince me. It was on display with hundreds of custom club plates such as the Alternators from Beresford, South Dakota.

The museum has a lot of early race cars. Some restored, others not quite restored. The interior of this one obviously falls into the latter. How manly were the drivers of these cars? No roll bars in an open cockpit!

This gem is a restored racer and Ed decided to play the part of Vana for us.

Hundreds of pedal cars and rides are on display at the museum. How about this G-Man Cruiser, complete with hood mounted tommy gun? I don’t know if this would make it to the toy shop shelves anymore.

There was a room chock full of engines of all varieties from historical land speed cars, to Indy to pro stock. We wanted to stay and drool over the parts longer, but had to get back to the booth to pack up for our first day on the road.

Saturday morning brought clear skies for a terrific drive to Kansas City. The show was packed by early in the afternoon!

We tried keeping up with this ’59 sedan but the guy motored away. Another way cool car built to rack up the miles in comfort.

Baer Racing was along for the entire tour again and played Smokey and the Bandit with this ’78 Trans Am. One of the Baer crew however got bit by smokey in southern Illinois in her Corvette.

Be Cool took part in the entire tour and had this early Vette on display. The car had a long racing heritage as noted by its powerplant…

…a 283 with an ultra rare Bill Thomas mechanical fuel injection system! This thing sounded crisp!

Bright yellow. No fenders. Blown Hemi. It doesn’t get much better.