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Adding Force to the Hobby
Dynamic Father, Daughter Racing Team Get in Front of the Camera in Support of the Hobby
In addition to sharing a competitive racing spirit and a legendary last name, NHRA Funny Car racers Ashley and John Force have another common bond—their support for the collector car hobby.
The dynamic duo put their passion for the hobby into action by filming a commercial for the SEMA Action Network (SAN). The ad promotes the SAN’s proactive approach in working with lawmakers from across the country to protect the rights of automotive enthusiasts.
Complementing the collection of racing trophies, 14-time NHRA Champion John Force also has quite a few collector vehicles on display at his racing facility; two of those vehicles—a ’57 Ford Thunderbird and ’65 Ford Mustang—were used in the filming. As an up-and-coming racer in the Funny Car Series, Ashley added her insight to a younger generation of enthusiasts who are getting involved in the hobby.
“I would like to thank everyone at John Force Racing for their continued support of the SAN,” said SAN director Jason Tolleson. “As an avid fan of NHRA and the John Force team, it was a great experience to work with them.”
The ad will debut at the 2008 SEMA Show and is available to car clubs and hobbyists to view on the SAN website.
A collection of classic Fords served as a perfect backdrop for a commercial featuring NHRA Funny Car racers Ashley and John Force. As long-time supporters of the hobby, the duo encourage enthusiasts to become more involved in the legislative issues by joining the SAN.
Kudos to the Crew: Special thanks to the film crew from The Loyalty Inc. for their continued support of the SEMA Action Network.
CAUCUS CORNER
Each month Driving Force will feature members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA-supported caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles.
Here is its newest member:
New Mexico State Senator Clinton Harden
OFF-ROAD NEWS
Defending OHV Access to Public Lands
The SAN submitted comments to federal lawmakers defending continued use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on federal lands in the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel region in Southern California. The SAN opposes legislation (H.R. 6156) to designate as “wilderness” 475,000 acres of the federal lands located in Mono, Inyo and Los Angeles Counties. OHVs would be denied access to the land since motorized recreation is not permitted in wilderness areas. The bill was the topic of a hearing by a panel of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee.
The SAN recommended an alternative approach that would protect our nation’s natural wonders and motorized recreation. The SAN recommended that the bill specifically protect OHV use on “cherry-stemmed” routes. These routes are often old roads, trails or paths formerly used for mining, logging or agricultural operations. The SAN also recommended the use of less restrictive land designations for portions of the land, such as a “Backcountry Recreation” designation proposed by the Blue Ribbon Coalition (www.sharetrails.org/backcountry). The SAN recommended continued access to the Furnace Creek Road.
Drive the Vote Home!
Exercise Your Right to Support Those Who Support Our Hobby
Our hobby has much at stake in this election. On November 4, 2008, voters will elect thousands of state and local leaders, 11 governors, 435 members of Congress, 35 Senators and a new president. Each and every one of these elected officials has the ability to positively or negatively shape legislation affecting our hobby. SAN members are urged to exercise their right to vote and support pro-hobby candidates.
Election Day—November 4
Check With Your County Office for Voter Information and Poll Locations.
HEY, THAT'S MY CAR!
Slick Suburban
1952 Chevy Suburban
Owner: Gregory Benfield
Lenoir, North Carolina
I’ve always had a soft spot for Chevys, especially early-’50s trucks. The first one I built was a Pro Street ’54 while I was in the Navy stationed in Florida. It was nice to look at, but it wasn’t much of a driver.
After retiring from the Navy and moving back to my hometown of Lenoir, North Carolina, I began working on a ’52 Suburban. The previous owner had installed a 350 and a Nova disc brake front clip. However, it had been sitting for some time, and the engine wouldn’t run. A once over with the sand blaster showed how much more work it needed.
I had to replace the firewall and windshield posts, the inside lip around the side windows and about 10 inches from the bottom of the body almost all of the way around. I welded and smoothed all the vents, hood seams and door handles; removed the rain gutters; and frenched the headlights. I replaced what was left of the rear rocker panel with a homemade roll pan with frenched LED taillights. The rear doors are a mix of modified barn doors with homemade hidden hinges and the top part of clam-shell doors.
After all this was done, I bolted the finished body back onto the frame and got to work under the hood. I installed a General Motors Performance Parts 350 with an Edelbrock manifold, a Holley carburetor, Hooker headers, Crane cams, a 700-R4 transmission and a Nova 10-bolt rearend and springs.
It’s got 17x7 and 17x9 Cragar S/S wheels and BFGoodrich G Force tires. I installed TPI gauges, an “It’s A Snap” wiring harness and a power window kit.
I finished it up with a tangier orange and stone white paint job, and now this five and a half year project is complete. Now it’s time for the next one.
Have your car or truck featured in a future issue of Driving Force by submitting photos and its story to san@sema.org.
Lobby for the Hobby
10 Tips to Effectively Lobby Your Lawmakers
Getting involved in the political process and staying vigilant are the best ways you can help keep the automotive hobby thriving and protect it from unfair laws and restrictions. The following are some tips that will allow you to most effectively lobby your elected officials:
1. Develop and Maintain Relationships With Your Legislators and Their Staff: Make contact and develop productive relationships with individual legislators.
2. Educate Legislators About Your Hobby and Your Issues: Educate your legislator about what your business does, who it employs and who buys your products and services.
3. Maintain a Positive Attitude: Try to develop a positive relationship with your legislator. The next time a hobby-related issue comes up that could affect you, that same legislator may be needed to support your cause.
4. Be Informed: Stay up-to-date with SAN legislative alerts, newspaper articles and hearing notices.
5. Get Involved With the Community: Support local charities and fundraisers as it will demonstrate to local residents and politicians that your car club or organization is a positive force in the community.
6. Invite Officials to Participate in Your Events: Give legislators a platform to reach an audience of constituents.
7. Team Up With Other Clubs: To add strength in numbers and ensure that your interests are represented, partner with other clubs or car club councils in your area.
8. Rally Support Behind Pro-Hobby Legislators: Encourage hobby-friendly lawmakers to join the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.
9. Spread the Word: Tear off this page of Driving Force, and take it to your next club meeting or cruise night or post it on an online forum.
10. Register to Vote: Exercise your right to support pro-hobby candidates. Constituents are an elected official’s number one priority. Without you and your vote of support, these officials would not be in office; so make sure you are registered, and get out and vote.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
Cruisers Who Care
Pennsylvania Club Supports Those Home and Abroad
After a forty-year break from street rodding, Carl Nathans decided it was time to get back into the hobby. While searching through car shows and cruise nights for his next ride and the parts to go with it, he realized that there weren’t too many events in his area. The easiest way to fix this was to start a car club.
In late 2006, he ran ads in local newspapers announcing the formation of a new club and its first organization meeting. A few minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start, there were only five people in the room. Carl remained positive knowing that a club could be built up from this group. However, within a few short minutes, the room was filled with 100 enthusiasts ready to get the club up and running. From that, the “Delco Cruisers” was officially born.
At that meeting, it was decided that it would be an all-inclusive club with no restrictions as to year, make or model of vehicle. The club would provide members with an alternative to life’s troubles and offer them a place to relax with other car enthusiasts. However, the club would be much more than that. It would be involved within the community and support worthwhile causes.
Since then, the club has assisted the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and hosted an annual Holiday Cruise for the Kids and other numerous community events. Recently, Carl set up an Adopt a Soldier’s Unit drive, and club members have donated funds for packages that are sent to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
To further this effort, the club will host the Salute the Troops car show on November 9 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Rose Tree Park in Media, Pennsylvania. Military officials from all branches will be in attendance in what will become an annual event honoring our service men and women.
In just two short years, the Delco Cruisers club has truly made their mark. As president of the club, Carl states that through the support of the club, which now has over 240 members, he is proud to be a “cruiser.”
For more information on the club and its upcoming Salute the Troops show, visit www.delcocruisers.com.
EVENTS
Alabama
November 14–16, Dothan
8th Annual Automotive Swap-’N’-Cruisin
Information: www.swapncrusin.com or 866/277-3962
Arizona
November 8, Tucson
Cops and Rodders
Information: www.copsandrodderstucson.org or 520/434-0437
November 14–16, Scottsdale
11th Southwest Nationals
Information: www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-629 or 925/838-9876
California
November 7–9, Trona
23rd Annual Panamint Valley Days
Sponsor: California Association of 4WD Clubs
Information: www.cal4wheel.com/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=92 or 626/280-0308
November 7, Blythe
9th Annual Show-N-Shine
Sponsor: Nostalgics Car Show
Information: 760/921-2085
November 8–9, Pleasanton
19th Autumn Get-Together
Information: www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=08-804 or 925/838-9876
November 16, Fresno
Fresno Auto Swap Meet
Information: www.ryanspromotions.com or 209/356-0436
Florida
November 1–2, Ocala
21st Annual Mopar With Big Daddy
Sponsor: Florida Mopar Association
Information: www.floridamoparassociation.com or 813/986-0990
November 2, Port Charlotte
16th Annual Harvest Fest Show
Sponsor: Royal Palm Chapter AACA
Information: 941/456-1676
November 7–8, Pinellas Park
33rd Annual Car Show & Swap Meet
Sponsor: Florida West Coast Region AACA
Information: http://local.aaca.org/fwcr or 727/595-7554
November 9, Dade City
20th Annual Pasco Bug Jam
Information: www.pascobugjam.com or 352/567-6678
November 9, Sarasota
26th Annual Florida Fall Packard Meet
Sponsor: Florida Packard Club
Information: http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/floridapackardclub/activities.html or 941/371-0070
November 13–16, Zephyrhills
24th Annual Fall AutoFest
Information: www.zephyrhillsauction.com/index.php or 813/258-6726
November 14–16, Fort Walton Beach
2008 Southern Trans Am Regional Show
Information: http://starsfl.org/index.html or 850/863-9516
November 16, Sarasota
17th Annual Super Sunday
Sponsor: Mustang Club of West Central Florida
Information: www.mustangclubofwestcentralflorida.org or 941/371-1942
November 27–30, Daytona
35th Annual Turkey Run
Sponsor: Daytona Beach Street Rods
Information: www.turkeyrun.com or 386/767-9070
Georgia
November 1, McDonough
9th Annual USO Charity Car Show
Sponsor: Atlanta Camaro/Firebird Association
Information: http://atlantacfa.com/forum/portal.php or 404/395-0623
Illinois
November 2, Grayslake
Skip’s Show & Swap Meet
Information: www.skipsusa.com or 630/340-4744
November 22–23, Rosemont
Chevy Vettefest
Information: www.chevyvettefest.net or 248/373-1700
Maryland
November 1, Glen Burnie
5th Annual Jalopyrama
Sponsor: The Rusty Nuts H.R.G.
Information: www.jalopyrama.com/Home.html or 443/562-8130
November 1–2, Ocean City
Atlantic Coast Dream Machines “Toys for Big Boys”
Information: www.oceancitycarshows.com/truckin.php or 302/436-0183
Nevada
November 7–8, Logandale
28th Hump N Bump Trail Rides
Sponsor: Vegas Valley 4-Wheelers
Information: http://vv4w.org/humpnbump.asp
North Carolina
November 1, Shelby
Hog Happnin’ Bikes & Cars Barbecue
Information: www.hoghappnin.com or 704/739-7760
Oregon
November 15, Albany
31st Annual Indoor Auto Swapmeet
Sponsor: Enduring A’s Chapter, MAFCA
Information: 541/926-3972
Pennsylvania
November 2, Riegelsville
Fall Roll Out Car Show
Information: http://riegelsvillekiwanis.org/html/fall_roll_out.html or 610/847-0801
November 9, Media
Salute to Troops
Sponsor: Delco Cruisers Car Club of Delaware County, PA
Information: www.delcocruisers.com
Texas
November 7–8, Bastrop
Veteran’s Weekend Car Show
Sponsor: Bastrop Area Cruisers Car Club
Information: www.bastropareacruisers.com/events.html or 512/303-6775
November 27–30, Houston
49th Annual AutoRama
Information: www.autorama.com/casi/show/houston.html or 936/344-9441
British Columbia, Canada
November 2, Vancouver
25th Annual Kruise for Kids
Sponsor: Greater Vancouver Car Club Council
Information: www.kruiseforkids.com or 604/521-3021
Early Deceember 2008 Events
California
December 6, Folsom
21st Annual Gold Country Toy Run
Information: www.cal4wheel.com/hilanders/toy.html or 916/849-4018
Maryland
December 6–7, Timonium
East Coast Indoor Nationals
Information: www.eastcoastindoornats.com
Attention Car Clubs, Event Organizers and Enthusiasts!
Put SAN on Your Mailing List!
We’d like to know what’s going on with SEMA Action Network clubs and enthusiasts across the country; what charity events you’re involved in; when and where the rod runs, car shows, trail rides, rallies and tech meetings are held; and what legislative and regulatory issues concern club members and individual enthusiasts.
One of the best ways to keep us abreast of what’s going on and what’s important to the vehicle hobbies nationwide is for us to receive your club newsletters and updates. Please consider placing SEMA on your mailing list. Send correspondence to: SEMA Action Network, 1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004-1105. Or by e-mail to san@sema.org.