(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – The Hot Rod Hullabaloo is the pinnacle event in a series of happenings each year put on by Shelby’s Way, a non-profit that promotes suicide prevention and awareness as well as supporting folks in need around the local communities. There is a golf scramble, a gathering of ’32 Fords, an off-road trail ride, and a bunch more. This event began in Danville, KY and moved with the owner of Shelby’s Speed and Custom, Mark Cain, to Lexington. Mark is also the director of Shelby’s Way and an ever present ear for those who need to talk about issues adversely affecting them. The hot rodding community supports Shelby’s Way events and mission through donations, raffles, and sponsorships. The organization operates on a thin margin, but they are able to help many while providing a great message and service to those in need.
The cause is definitely a draw, but the events are a blast with the Hullabaloo growing more each year. The event is held on Contract St. which runs through an industrial park in Lexington, KY. Shelby’s Speed and Custom’s business neighbors graciously vacate their own parking lots allowing room for the masses of vehicles and people.
The 2019 event drew over 3,000 people and 750 cars while raising around $19,000.00. This was while other events were going on in the Commonwealth and one of their major happenings at this event regretfully didn’t happen. Sure the live music and food were great and there was still a pageant along with ElCara photography models roaming about. Most folks were missing the downhill drags because a ramp could not be secured for the event. A gravity ramp is 100% required for these races so they did not take place. The good news is a ramp dedicated to this event is being constructed so this highly anticipated competition can resume.
This gallery is almost all pre-49 or what some of us old timers call ‘street rods’. There’s some really neat hardware in here so check them out.
Come back for more from the Hullabaloo soon.
thanks Bangshift for all these photos/postings. Easy for me to see the highlights w/o traveling to the shows, which isn\’t always possible. Keep up the good work!