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The famed Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour is hitting the road once again. Will you be stopping by? Come by the SEMA Action Network (SAN) booth at the flamed Hot Rod bus to have 2014 Miss Hot Rod Magazine sign an official limited-edition poster for you.
In its 20th year, the Power Tour draws motor vehicle enthusiasts from across the country. Covering over 1,500 total miles, this seven-day, seven-city tour begins in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will make its way to Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, through both highways and winding back roads. The event will attract over 4,500 collector cars and grab the attention of over 75,000 spectators. All kinds of hot rods, classics, custom trucks and street machines will be along for the ride. Any vehicle year, make or model is accepted.
- Saturday, June 7 - Charlotte, NC (ZMAX Dragway)
- Sunday, June 8 - Knoxville, TN (Chilhowee Park)
- Monday, June 9 - Charleston, WV (Downtown on the River Front)
- Tuesday, June 10 - Norwalk, OH (Summit Motorsports Park)
- Wednesday, June 11 - Crown Point, IN (Lake County Fairgrounds)
- Thursday, June 12 - Bettendorf, IA (Isle Casino Hotel)
- Friday, June 13 - Wisconsin Dells, WI (Chula Vista Resort)
This link contains information on Tour stops and other details: www.hotrod.com/2014/powertour. We hope to see you on the road!
Legislative Front Lines
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SEMA SAN Strike Force
California Representative Doug LaMalfa, at right, flanks this beautiful replica Cobra with the car's owner Hector D. Rodriguez in Washington, D.C. The McLean, Virginia-based Rodriguez bought the sports car in 2007 complete with 351 c.i. Ford Windsor and 5-speed Tremec transmission from its builders at Backdraft Racing in South Africa. The yellow/red "rookie stripes” adorning the driver’s side front fender are a tribute to the colors of the Spanish flag.
Last week, SEMA was in need of a cool ride for U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) for an industry event held in Washington, D.C. at which the congressman was the featured guest. After accepting the request, Hector D. Rodriguez prepped his replica Cobra for the short trip from the offices of the U.S. House of Representatives to the event’s reception nearby. Once outside the office building, he invited fellow gearhead LaMalfa to take the wheel. "Rep. LaMalfa looked at me sideways and asked, 'Are you sure?'" Rodriguez explained. "I could tell after two blocks he knew what he was doing!" For LaMalfa, arriving for his appearance at the reception in such style was a highlight moment not soon to be forgotten. "I’d love to take Rep. LaMalfa to lunch someday," Hector said. "He may allow me to drive his Pantera. . . he owes me," he jokingly added.
Currently residing in McLean, Virginia, Rodriguez has been a fan of the automotive hobby since the age of 14 as a youth living in Cuba. After witnessing "all the great drivers” at the Havana Grand Prix—names like Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio and Phil Hill—Hector was hooked for life. An early foray into the hobby included co-owning a ’39 Ford with some buddies who ultimately turned it into a homebuilt hot rod. Later, Rodriguez became smitten with the introduction of Shelby’s AC Cobra and made it a goal to own one someday. This dream came to fruition in the form of the Superformance MKIII pictured above, a purchase inspired by a health scare in 2007. Shortly thereafter, Hector joined the Capitol Area Cobra Club, the group responsible for making contact with him for the Washington event.
Many thanks again for stepping up to give our friend on Capitol Hill such a great experience, Hector!
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