For Hot Rod Power Tour 2012, Ridetech Grand Poobah, Bret Voelkel is enjoying the sites and sounds of Hot Rods cruising across America with his 12 year old son Andy. We’ll be bringing you updates as they started their adventure mid week on their way to Texas for the finale and Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Qualifier. Check out their first installment below.
Father and Son Power Tour Adventure Part I by Bret Voelkel
I love the Hotrod power tour. That’s an easy statement to make…doesn’t everyone? I mean, if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here, right?
Apparently hundreds more people decided they loved the power tour this year…the crowds are just off the hook…judging by the lines for food and bathrooms!
For me this year’s tour is a special treat…my 12 year old son Andy is doing the tour with me. He has done the tour before, a few days at a time with me, his mom, and his sister. This year, it’s just the guys…no girls allowed! (none that he’s related to anyhow:) And were going all the way to Texas. While it’s no secret that this is a big deal to him, I’m not sure he realizes how big a deal it is for me. My travel schedule sometimes intrudes on his time with me. If I accomplish absolutely nothing tangible this week, it will likely be the best weeks of my life to date. To see a 12 year old stand up straight, look someone in the eye, and firmly shake their hand when introduced…well, burn my cars, I don’t really need them anymore!
Ok, about the tour…another bonus this week is we get to run the Optima Ultimate Streetcar Invitational on Friday at the power tour! That event includes an autocross on site at the tour and continues on Saturday at Eagle Canyon Raceway with the road course and speed-stop events. We brought our new 33 Ford for the tour and the race. Yes, were hauling it (done been called out over that). I’ve driven my share of overpowered/under creature comfort cars across the country. I’ll take my motorhome, thank you! Were also driving our 2010 Camaro with our new coil over struts and shocks. We’ll be running both at the Optima event this weekend…should be fun!
Besides the ever-present heat, rain, crowds, traffic, and expensive food, I’m seeing a return to a bit younger crowd this year. For the past 3 years or so, it seemed like the only people who could afford to take off for the tour were older retired people. This year, plenty of younger families…a great sign!
I get the privilege of seeing a LOT of friends every year on the power tour. Doing the tour is a labor of love…you won’t find anyone less than the most dedicated and knowledgeable people staffing the manufacturers booths. You know they are true hotrodders…if they weren’t you couldn’t pay them enough to do this grind!
Enjoy some pictures from St. Louis and Miami, ok…I’ll check in tomorrow with more useless news!
Bret Voelkel, President of Ridetech
Did the power tour with my 15 year old son, what a great time to spend as father & son for any gearhead. This was the third time my son has come with me and his first to be able to handle some of the driving duties. We are a Camaro family and took to most comfortable on the tour which is a 2002 Camaro that has about 550 hp and some suspension mods.
Was fortunate enough to be the winner for the Optima Challenge “parking lot” ride in the 1933, thanks Brett it exceeded my expectations! I also made it down to Eagles Canyon what a great day.