TALLADEGA 2014!

[hemigeno]

The MMW thing I don't really understand.  it's cool to watch the wings go round (and I certainly won't complain about preferential treatment) but it's an all-Mopar show.  that only some get to play is kind of snobby, and I'm a HUGE wing car snob.  I don't know why there aren't timed admission passes for all of the show cars--it seems like it would draw more people.  

MMW made the move to restrict track laps in part due to the Aero cars' race heritage, and in part because you have to draw the line somewhere.  The show officials took ALL kinds of grief back when things other than Aero cars were on the track (along with the Aero cars, that is), because people questioned "Why can't I take my car out on the track, when a 4-door Coronet gets to go?".  They take a certain amount of grief even now because of other groups that are allowed out in addition to the Aero cars (i.e. the SRT group, the LX group, the Policecar group, etc.).  The show's promoter extended the offer to get on the oval track to those groups in an attempt to bolster their respective participation levels, and it has proven to be a fairly successful move from the show's overall perspective.  That's his prerogative, although the folks who are tasked with actually running the car show end of MMW would actually prefer to go back to just having Aero cars do the laps.  This year they got a taste of how much work it is to make all this happen, since I told them after last year's show that I wasn't coordinating any groups other than the Aero cars.  One too many disgruntled LX/SRT owner chewed me out because they weren't able to do laps after arriving late and missing the mandatory driver's meeting.

It also ends up being a logistics problem.  In order to allow cars on the track, they have to close down pedestrian and vehicle access to the swap meet through the backstretch gate.  The tunnel remains open, but that's a really long walk for pedestrians, and the tunnel doesn't accomodate large vehicles or trailers.  People get rather hot under the collar when they have to wait 15 minutes or longer while the track is cleared & checked, laps run, photos taken, and the cars exit... this happens for each group & subgroup of cars...  It's sortof understood why the Aero cars are on the track (or at least I've never heard any spectators question why that is), but to open it up to nearly 850 cars at 10-15 cars per batch would cause logistical paralysis and way too many complaints beyond what they already receive.

BTW nvrbdn, clones are not excluded, just ask 41husk or moparstuart among others.  As for the non-aero cars that have race heritage, I have feigned arguing that same point as I did in my comment yesterday - while all along understanding that it's better not to go down that road.  It eventually comes back to the point I made above - you have to draw the line somewhere.  Most B-bodies could point to an on-track race heritage of some sort, and E-bodies raced in the Trans-Am series.  Dodge currently has a Charger R/T decal package on the automotive atrocity that parades itself around in the Sprint Cup.  Vipers race all over the place.  What about the Kit cars from the late '70s?  Heck, Neon's are raced too.

In the end, I'm happy that the cars are allowed on any track at all.

[nvrbdn]

i agree with you all the way, its a huge job to set up and perform. i was lucky to drive a friends wing a few years ago. i just was unsettled when it was written that "it should be special" im a good friend of allen and wouldnt question him driving the laps, just wondered where the artist of "special" and real race cars wanted to draw the line.i personally love to watch the wings and sat and filmed em this year as they went by. got good photos of stuart too. he just said certain cars shouldnt be allowed and that would include a roadrunner. i have to agree though that i wouldnt want to watch every car cruise the track while locked out side of the swap

[pettybird]

is it that only car bodies that raced in nascar should get to circle the track, or that only wing cars and 69 500 chargers should circle the track?

If you're talking about the Aero Warrior Reunion, there are five cars (and their facsimiles) which are honored:  The superbird, daytona, the charger 500, the ford talladega and the mercury cyclone spoiler II. 

[nvrbdn]

If you're talking about the Aero Warrior Reunion, there are five cars (and their facsimiles) which are honored:  The superbird, daytona, the charger 500, the ford talladega and the mercury cyclone spoiler II.  

 yep, i dropped the ball here. guess i forgot what thread i was reading when i started chatting.   just slap me to wake me up and ignore what i said.   aero would mean "aero cars"  sorry.

[Mopar John]

 Today Brad Keselowski driving the Miller Lite Dodge Charger #2 came in 4th pushing an unlikley Dave Blaney to 3rd! This result moved Brad up 3 spots to 3rd in the chase for the championship with 3 races left!
   They were at Talladega and today marks 2 years since we were there! We are almost midway to the next 5 year AERO Warrior Reunion in 2014! It is time to make plans and get those cars done!
Mopar John

[pettybird]

I'd make some grandiose prediction of what I'll drive down there but that would prolly lead to another trip in the B5 car.  At least he knows the way! 

I'll still make some stupid prediction about taking another car, especially now that the B5 car is all pretty, but BOY do I like road tripping in that thing.  Marty drives great but I didn't spend my youth riding around in him 



Brad's been a pretty cool surprise in the chase--he's a good kid doing well.

[hemi68charger]

Can't wait............. Maybe I'll have a 500 up and running then......... There's so many of those wing cars there... 

[A383Wing]

If my health holds up and I ain't dead by then.....we plan on being there...it will probably be our last one....we were at the '99 meet...had a blast

Bryan

[41husk]

I just hope it comes back to StLouis

[Dave Kanofsky]

I just hope it comes back to StLouis

  Are you thinking of Monster Mopar?

As for T'Ga 2014 - Can't wait!   

[Kismgby]

If I own an aero car, I'll be there.   

[41husk]

I just hope it comes back to StLouis

  Are you thinking of Monster Mopar?

As for T'Ga 2014 - Can't wait!   

Yes I was talking Monster Mopar, sorry, I tend to lose my train of thought in my old age

[Lighthorseman]

Well, there's MY goal.  Get my "Birdible" together and down to Talladega for 2014. 

[moparstuart]

Well, there's MY goal.  Get my "Birdible" together and down to Talladega for 2014. 

[70Sbird]

i've made the last two, I'm hoping the car will hold together for 2014!
It may even be running by then
The engine went back into chassis on Saturday!

[moparstuart]

i've made the last two, I'm hoping the car will hold together for 2014!
It may even be running by then
The engine went back into chassis on Saturday!

[70Sbird]

i've made the last two, I'm hoping the car will hold together for 2014!
It may even be running by then
The engine went back into chassis on Saturday!

Of course my new transmission mount wont line up and will require "surgery" to make it fit, this crap never ends!!!

[Charger_Dart]

The only one I ever made it to was in 1994 for the 25th anniversary. It was such a memorable experience to drive my bird on the super speedway. I will never forget it.  
Still have my t-shirt from the winged car meet. I just have to get another wing car - wish there were a few good deals out there.

 

[moparstuart]

The only one I ever made it to was in 1994 for the 25th anniversary. It was such a memorable experience to drive my bird on the super speedway. I will never forget it.  
Still have my t-shirt from the winged car meet. I just have to get another wing car - wish there were a few good deals out there.

 

birds are pretty cheap right now , well i guess in comparison to where they were

[Aero426]

I just wrote a newsletter article that basically says, "Welcome back to 2003".

[Big Bird]

That 25 th. " T " shirt brings back fine memories !  That was my first visit, the second was the 40 th., be there for the 45 th. as long as the blood keeps flowing !!

[gtx6970]

I've got my fingers crossed

[pettybird]

I just wrote a newsletter article that basically says, "Welcome back to 2003".

that blue bird at the 'nats WAS a v code car...

[Aero426]

Thanks, I did correct the description to a V-code before I sent the newsletter to the printer yesterday.

[Charger_Dart]

I just wrote a newsletter article that basically says, "Welcome back to 2003".

that blue bird at the 'nats WAS a v code car...

I spent sometime looking over that car at the Nat's. It was in nice condition, I should of bought it.