Anyone here ever done the power tour?

[INEEDAGN]

Just saw the route for 08 and our house is right along the dead center of the route. VERY seriously contemplating the long haul (1200 mile route, 2300 miles all together) but would like some feedback from others about how well it's run, and how bad the traffic/crowds are, etc. At the very least we will be doing the two stops within 2 hours of here, but if there ever was a year to do the long haul, it should be the year when I can stop at home halfway and get clean laundry. Also we know people at 3 stops so that's less hotel rooms, and most of the trip we would only be 3-4 hours from home. There's the issue of the baby due in november, but they're portable .

What does everyone think? Is the long haul worth it, or do I hit the local ones only?

bob

 

[jurassic five 7]

I have a friend who took his truck on it twice before. He said there were a good deal of TR's on the tour. I've never done it before, or seen any of the footage of it, but he says he loves it!

Hope everything's going well for you Bob!

-Adam

 

[jdpolzin]

I did the long haul from Milwaukee to Kissamee FL a couple years ago!! It's a blast but dont even think about bringing a newborn along. I have a 3 week old boy and there is no way! It is a BAD A$$ time on the Power Tour though! I met a lot of great people. We took my buddies 70 SS Chevelle 396 with an Art Carr 2004r and got 23 miles per gallon average!!!!! :biggrin: Great time, lots of hot weather driving so make sure you have AC. We didnt and I was pretty much melted into the black seats of that Chevelle. Another thing is make sure your cooling system is up to par, many cars overheat while waiting to get into events. -------Jeremy

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

Just saw the route for 08 and our house is right along the dead center of the route. VERY seriously contemplating the long haul (1200 mile route, 2300 miles all together) but would like some feedback from others about how well it's run, and how bad the traffic/crowds are, etc. At the very least we will be doing the two stops within 2 hours of here, but if there ever was a year to do the long haul, it should be the year when I can stop at home halfway and get clean laundry. Also we know people at 3 stops so that's less hotel rooms, and most of the trip we would only be 3-4 hours from home. There's the issue of the baby due in november, but they're portable .

What does everyone think? Is the long haul worth it, or do I hit the local ones only?

bob

Is it coming through here Bob??

 

[UNGN]

Is it coming through here Bob??

Little Rock, Arkansas to Madison, Wisconsin by way of Lincoln, so they'll likely go through Eastern Kansas at some point.

 

[INEEDAGN]

It goes from little rock to springfield missouri, then topeka, then lincoln, then Ames Iowa, then up into minnesota and wisconsin. They will likely travel about 30 miles from my house, but taking an alternate route to Lincoln would only put me at a 10 mile detour to go home in the middle of it. If I go, I will be in Paul's old GN. I need to upgrade the cooling system first, now that I got the a/c fixed it won't stay cool in traffic. Our baby will be 8 months old at the time, so we are unsure of the baby situation. Might take the kid on half of it then pawn it off on the grandparents . It sounds like a blast and I even have the wife all excited about it. The only problem is having to rent hotel rooms almost a year in advance. There's talk on the hot rod website about the closest hotels already being sold out. This is why I'm trying to decide NOW. Any other input is appreciated.

bob

 

[INEEDAGN]

Also I was going to ask about the cost of getting into the venues, and how late they let you stay in there (we could pitch a tent if allowed to be there all night).

 

[bishir]

double post...

 

[bishir]

I did the tour in 2001 and 2002. In 2002 I started in Lincoln, NE and stopped on the way to Louisville, KY. I'd suggest starting the tour and following it back to your house and if you want to keep going do it!

As suggested make sure your car is up to snuff mechanically. I drove it in a 69 Mustang Convertible w/o A/c and the top down nearly the whole time. I about melted at some points, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. The tour has grown since then and they contract out most of the planning so it's a bit impersonal I heard, but you'll meet great folks along the way.

The best part is meeting in the morning and caravaning. You can decide to stay with the large pack of cars and slowly cruise and get stuck in traffic. (Though some cities had police escorts) Or you can cruise by yourself and set your own pace.

During the 2002 tour the Hot Rod Editor had to get on a megaphone and tell everyone it's not the Cannonball Run!!! There were times I was traveling 90-100 and cars were blowing my doors off. There were times I prayed we start moving too because I was stuck in traffic.

The meetup spots are usually just large parking lots now at fairground etc.. and consist of basically a large car show at each stop. Sometimes they have bands or other sites to see, but I always enjoyed the mobile dyno that traveled with the tour.

One of the most memorable parts of the tour was the local people who would stage gatherings in their hometown along the tour route. Traveling US 50 from Kansas City to Saint Louis it took 6 hours of driving, but some small towns had burnout contests at their little traffic lights and they even setup grandstands. The people with signs on the expressways were cool too. I don't know if people still get that excited about it.

Finding rooms is up to you, but usually the company that organizes the tour suggests some places to stay. It's better if you find out where the tour is stopping and make reservations yourself though or find a local campground. Its a car experience almost like no other and you can't really appreciate it unless you do it.

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

It goes from little rock to springfield missouri, then topeka, then lincoln, then Ames Iowa, then up into minnesota and wisconsin. They will likely travel about 30 miles from my house, but taking an alternate route to Lincoln would only put me at a 10 mile detour to go home in the middle of it. If I go, I will be in Paul's old GN. I need to upgrade the cooling system first, now that I got the a/c fixed it won't stay cool in traffic. Our baby will be 8 months old at the time, so we are unsure of the baby situation. Might take the kid on half of it then pawn it off on the grandparents . It sounds like a blast and I even have the wife all excited about it. The only problem is having to rent hotel rooms almost a year in advance. There's talk on the hot rod website about the closest hotels already being sold out. This is why I'm trying to decide NOW. Any other input is appreciated.

bob

Let me know if you do this Bob and I will come down also:biggrin: your only 90 miles east of me............

 

[Royal-T-Ltd]

I've done it twice and LONG HAULED Last year in my T..... loved it except for the first couple days of terrible weather.... I'm gonna try and do it next year too. The route is in the Midwest again...

 

[bishir]

BTW, if they do Lincoln again I bet they stop at Speedway Motors. Check out the museum. I'd like to go in the GN if we get a contingent together.

 

[INEEDAGN]

Well if there's enough interest I can start a roll call thread and see who wants to go. Maybe we can all stick together, or at least know who has what for spare parts. My wife has most of our hotel reservations already so I guess it's a go for us . Who else is really serious?

 

[Bodhi]

I drove my 67 Camaro on a couple of legs in 2006. We had a blast. I plan on doing the long haul in the GN the next time it comes fairly close.

 

[chopped39]

My buddy went from chicago to michigan to springfield ill .He was driving a 1960 chevy you can see the back of it on page 44 of hotrod . He said everyone was willing to help. I know his starter took a crap and so did his alternator. but both were easy fixes. he is installing a 409 over the winter and doing it again next year. the way my car is going i will be going on the 2011 tour:biggrin:

 

[gbsean]

I was signed up to do aleg in 2005 or six it ended up at English Town but my motor went south....was going to to the DC to Englishtown link...a bunch of MAGNA guys were going to do it too...maybe the 2008