Hot Rod Power Tour 2010 Coverage - Day 1

Day one of the Hot Rod Power Tour got off to a rainy start at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Vendors set up their booths under cloudy skies, but by the time participants started arriving at 9:00 a.m. the rain had stopped. By midday there was sunshine, and the 16th Annual Hot Rod Power Tour kicked off with a bang with COMP Cams® as the Main Stage sponsor for the first time. We set up a full booth with parts displays and had technicians on-hand to answer questions about all of the COMP Performance Group™ brands, including COMP®, TCI®, RHS®, FAST™, ZEX™, Inglese™ and Quarter Master®.


The Power Tour always attracts participants from all over the country and even other parts of the world. We saw one car from South Africa and spoke with groups from as far away as Iceland and Australia. From the new Camaros and Mustangs to old 1932 Fords, and everything in between, we saw too many interesting vehicles to count. So far, we’ve heard of 4,000 hopeful long haulers – people who make the entire trip, from stop 1 to stop 7. That takes serious dedication! Check out our pics below to see just a small sample of what the 16th Annual Hot Rod Power Tour has to offer.


To keep things interesting at the COMP® trailer, and as a way to have a little fun with participants and their families, we will be sponsoring competitions and giveaways every day. Each afternoon we will be holding a competition for children (either a coloring contest or a sidewalk chalk contest) and announcing the winner from the main stage every evening. But don’t worry adults – we have some chances for you to win prizes, too. Every afternoon we will be holding adult Big Wheel Races (grown-ups trying to ride a children’s tricycle) and retainer stacking contests. Be looking out for these fun events! On June 8, 9 and 10 in Bowling Green, KY; Chattanooga, TN; and Birmingham, AL, we’ll be holding our famous Engine Builder Duel sponsored by Snap-On Tools. The duel pits two, two-man teams against each other to see who can build a Small Block Chevy engine the quickest and run it for one full minute. We’ve had teams come in under 30 minutes, so the bar is set high. We can’t wait to see who will become the next Engine Builder Duel Champions.


And finally, for long haulers we have a special prize. On Friday, June 11, we’ll be providing long haulers with a special dash plaque created specifically for the 2010 Power Tour. And, all long haulers are being asked to sign a special long hauler banner that will be given away at the end of the week.


The COMP Performance Group™ booth will be booming this week with activities for everyone on Power Tour. Make sure to stop by and see us. And if you can’t make the trip, check www.cpgnation.com and Facebook for daily updates.


We’re leaving Newton in the middle of some serious storms right now, so it could be a long drive ahead. We’ll see you in Springfield, IL tomorrow!



The rolling hills of Iowa


The Hot Rod Power Tour emergency vehicle


Rusty Wallace


Iowa Speedway


The first participants make their way across the wet parking lot to the main entrance


COMP Cams® main stage where announcements and prizes are given away each day


The CPG booth


The love for cars starts early


The crowd around the COMP Cams® main stage


Security had to put a stop to the burnouts but they couldn’t erase these


In honor of those who have served our country in the armed forces


This guy needed rain gear because the front of his car was completely open