Enginehead – Modified scene online magazine

Oct14

Tour Daytona with Richard Petty -- at 160 mph!

Steve C. Smith

Ever wonder what it would be like to have Richard Petty show you around Daytona International Speedway -- at 160 mph? It could happen on December 14, if you are rich enough, and quick enough on the trigger, as there are only 12 openings. The details:

On December 14th, 2009 Richard Petty Driving Experience, the world leader in stock car driving and riding experiences, and Daytona International Speedway will make this dream a reality for 12 drivers. This select group will take the wheel of an authentic NASCAR-style stock car for 50 high-speed laps around the famed 2.5 mile superspeedway over the course of six adrenaline-filled driving sessions.

As if that weren’t thrilling enough, participants will also be given an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime tour of the “Tribute To The King” exhibit at Daytona 500 Experience led by Mr. Petty, himself.

“Daytona holds great memories for me and I always enjoy returning there”, said Petty. “And, while it’s always cool to see the thrill people get from driving our cars, it’s extra special at this race track. I know this lucky group is going to love it.”

“Daytona International Speedway and Richard Petty share a storied history,” Track President Robin Braig said. “This unique opportunity to rub elbows with the Speedway’s all-time Daytona 500 champion and drive on our legendary race track at the same time is taking the race experience to new heights.”

The “VIP Experience at Daytona” is available for $6,500.00 per participant. RPDE “Experience Rewards” members will receive a $500.00 discount. For more information or to register for the event, call 1-800-BE-PETTY. The VIP Program will be held on Monday, December 14th, 2009 and is limited to 12 participants.

Sep14

Haywood to guest at Lake Mirror Classic

Steve C. Smith

The Mercedes-Benz Lake Mirror Classic Automobile Festival, one of the most scenic and popular classic car events, announced today that endurance racing legend Hurley Haywood will be its Honorary Chairman this year. The 10^th annual classic auto festival is expected to draw more than 500 show vehicles and 30,000 spectators the weekend of October 16-17, 2009 at the beautiful Lake Mirror Park in Lakeland.

“Hurley Haywood remains active in professional sports car racing as leader of the Brumos Racing Team based in Jacksonville, FL. He is an endurance racing legend with multiple victories at Sebring, Daytona and LeMans,” says event chairman and President of Heacock Classic Insurance, Ford Heacock. “His participation provides the passion we strive for at the Lake Mirror Classic.”

The Concours d’Elegance, which features a select group of high quality automobiles including Pre-War Classics, Historic Racing Cars, Antique Motorcycles and Vintage Wooden Boats, which will be judged by a team of CCCA and AACA judges. These prestigious classics will be presented along the promenade of Lake Mirror Park where they will be judged and on display for the public to enjoy.

The classic weekend event kicks off with a free outdoor concert known as the Budweiser Hot Rod Rendezvous held at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater on Friday evening. More than 10,000 people attend the Hot Rod Rendezvous to enjoy rock & roll music, food and wild cars. In addition to the Concours d’Elegance, Saturday’s Auto Festival includes hundreds of classic and collectible vehicles including Street Rods & Custom displayed on the streets of downtown Lakeland. The Saturday Auto Festival also features a “Show Within a Show” for all generations of the Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Corvettes. Mustangs and Corvettes registered for the Lake Mirror Classic will be in a separately judged class with trophies to the top cars.

The Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival is a free community event and includes vendors and street entertainers in addition to the hundreds of classic cars, boats and motorcycles. The weekend will conclude on Sunday morning with a fun road rally over the back roads of central Florida. Brunch will be served and prizes distributed at the rally's conclusion. The Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival supports local non-profit groups by helping them raise needed funds through the sale of food and beverage at the event. Over $150,000 has been raised or donated to local charities because of the Lake Mirror Classic. Junior Achievement is the main charity for the event.

Sep01

Big guns scheduled for 2010 Amelia Concours

Steve C. Smith

The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation, Inc. announced today that racing legends Richard "The King" Petty, Sir Stirling Moss OBE and Don “Big Daddy”Garlits will come together to participate in an unpredictable and exciting seminar on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

The seminar, entitled "The Three Greats - Petty, Moss and Garlits”, will be moderated by veteran racers and two of SPEED TV’s most animated and popular commentators, David Hobbs and Sam Posey.

“We feel honored to be able to have three of the most legendary racers of all time all in the same place and the same time, for this seminar,” said Bill Warner, Concours founder and co-chairman. “With Hobbs and Posey moderating we expect that this seminar will be quite thrilling and utterly unpredictable.”

The Concours will display a car to represent each driver during the seminar: a Superbird for Petty, a Birdcage Maserati for Moss and a Swamp Rat for Garlits.

With his trademark cowboy hat and sunglasses, Richard "The King" Petty, as he is nicknamed, is widely considered to be one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time and his impact on motorsports can outstrip the glory of any one of his victory lanes. In addition to his appearance at the Saturday Seminar, this NASCAR legend will serve as the key note speaker at the Concours’ annual Gala Dinner Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Don Garlits, widely considered as the father of drag racing, was the first driver to win three NHRA national titles and three world championships. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C. Lemons, perfected the rear-engine "top fuel dragster design".

Moss, who raced from 1948 to 1962, won 194 of the 497 races he entered, including 16 F1 races. Moss was a pioneer in the British F1 racing scene and placed second in the Drivers' Championship four times in a row from 1955 to 1958. He is often described as the finest road racer of all time. One of his most famous drives was while driving a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR the 1955 Mille Miglia, in which he won in a record time of 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds, finishing almost half hour ahead of his teammate.

This year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for March 12-14, 2010 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach.

In addition to having the greatest oval racer, greatest straight line racer and greatest road racer together for this Saturday seminar, this year’s Concours will honor the 40th anniversary of Porsche’s inaugural victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans and showcase a number of influential 917s, a model that is widely considered to be one of the most significant racecars of the modern era. This year’s Amelia will also honor Sir Stirling Moss, OBE and the 50th Anniversary of Moss’ victory in the last Cuban Grand Prix.