The most recently completed 5th Annual event attracted more than 50,000 spectators and 1,200+ entered race cars, street rods, muscle cars, trucks, antiques and specialty vehicles! When this year’s 6th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend cranks up, October 19-21, 2007, in its permanent home of Henderson, North Carolina, the forecast is for an even greater number of cars and participants than in 2006!
“We are amazed at how quickly the time has passed since we did the first reunion. We began as a backyard barbeque gathering of a few old racers, and just six years later, we’re expecting a small city of spectators and specialty cars of all sorts”, observed Nancy Wilson, Director of Tourism for the Vance County Tourism Department, in Henderson.
“I’m even more amazed at how quickly we passed the 1,000 mark for entered cars. With the kind of growth we have been experiencing, it’s possible that our tenth annual Hall of Fame Weekend could be attracting nearly 80,000 people and 3,000+ cars. Our growth has been absolutely astonishing, and we’ve been very fortunate to have tremendous support from Vance County, North Carolina, the City of Henderson, North Carolina, and the people of this entire area who have been exceptionally supportive of the event since its inception. As we have since we began, we will continue to focus all our efforts on presenting a first class event and weekend that addresses the needs of our participants, entrants, spectators and families who make our Hall of Fame Weekend an annual date on their recreation calendars”.
“Another part of our success has been with the outstanding support we’ve received from our sponsors. Of course, Vance County Tourism Department has been integral in our success and continued growth, and we would be hard pressed to have moved as far forward as we have without the support and sponsorship of Superior Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, here in Henderson. The folks at Superior have been over-the-top fantastic in opening up their entire dealership to us on Friday, for the Show, Shine, Shag and Dine barbeque and show. I cannot thank them enough for their total support of our event”, added event Director, Ms. Wilson.
This year’s event will again begin on Friday, October 19, with Superior Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep hosting the annual free barbeque and a car show display that has itself grown to attract more than 200 specialty vehicles. All car show participants are welcome and the barbeque and entertainment is all free of charge, courtesy of Superior!
Friday evening the festivities moves to the Hall of Fame Weekend Host Motels, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Jameson Inn and Ambassador’s Inn. There racers and enthusiasts gather to meet and greet and share memories of old as well as recent drag racing events. For fans and former racers it’s a special chance to meet and talk with many of the greatest names in drag racing.
Saturday morning, October 20, the Hall of Fame Weekend kicks into high gear with the 6th annual Show & Shine car show, hosted along Henderson, North Carolina’s Historic Downtown District. Cars of all descriptions line the main street of Henderson as well as all side streets and municipal parking lots that serve the area. It’s a car enthusiast’s dream come true with 1,200+ vehicles showing off their chrome and glitter as they compete for trophies in 50 different judging categories. The atmosphere is geared for car enthusiasts, but family fun abounds as car show participants provide a family “tailgate party” equal to that found at any college football game. There’s also “dancin’in the streets” with live music from The Castaways and The Attractions Band, both belting out a variety of 50’s and classic rock favorites that fills the streets of Henderson with rhythm.
Saturday night the action moves to Henderson’s Raleigh Road Drive-In and The Sonic Grill, where the nostalgic fun of cruising local drive-in’s brings you back to an easier, simpler time when hot rodding meant weekend Cruise-In’s and visiting with your pals.
On Sunday, October 21, the 6th Annual East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame gathers at the Vance-Granville Civic Center, Exit 209 off I-85. This free event begins with a pre-induction “meet and greet” at 10:00 AM, providing everyone with the chance to meet the 2007 Hall of Fame inductees, view personal displays, photos and memorabilia provided by current inductees and former honorees, and get to personally know these drag racing icons. The induction ceremonies begin at 12:30 PM. Each 2007 inductee will be honored with a video presentation outlining his or her drag racing career achievements produced by noted drag racing historian and video producer, Jim Amos and his Bee On Video. At 3:30 PM the ceremonies wrap up and all inductees gather for a photo session for fans, families and friends.
Overall, the 2007 East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame Weekend is an outstanding opportunity for drag racing enthusiasts or even casual fans to drink in the entire hot rodding experience, and at a cost that is exceptionally affordable for singles, couples or families! Make your plans to attend now. Contact the Vance County Tourism Department to secure motel reservations and special Hall of Fame Weekend packages at: 1-866-438-4565, 252/438-2222; e-Mail at; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or on the web at www.eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com
