2001 Return To Brice Road Caravans - Destination

Atlanta, Georgia-The South Rises Again
Year One's substantial planning and execution make the Dixieland tour one of the best. This year, Musclecar Review Editor Tom Shaw and ad salesman John Nichols were on deck, with John Balow of Muscle Car Restorations rolling off the miles in a soon-to-be-restored Superbird as the leader. The tour left Atlanta and cruised I-75 until ending up that afternoon in eastern Tennessee. The following morning, it was a walk-through at Floyd Garrett's Muscle car Museum, then the trip began in earnest, covering almost 380 miles to meet with the Memphis group as they tag-teamed into the Columbus region, arriving just after 6 p.m.

Fairfield, New Jersey-Running With The Big RigsThat leaves the New Jersey leg, which left the Just Suspension facility (where everyone enjoyed Bill's toy truck/electric train collection and latest Mopar parts) for a 400-mile run that covered the entire state of Pennsylvania in a day. Editor Geoff Stunkard and art director Bob Stuart got this leg, hammering west out of the Garden State in a brand-new Dodge Motorsports Dakota courtesy of DaimlerChrysler. Heavy traffic, especially trucks, was the norm, and some time was spent chasing lost sheep and fixing a breakdown. After overnighting in Kent, Ohio, the tour went to the cavernous Summit Parts facility nearby for a morning visit. Due to construction, the final day of the trip was made over backroads that eventually led right to National Trail Raceway. This tour was on Brice in the early afternoon, with everyone returning for the evening photo shoot.

Kansas City, Missouri-From The Heartland
The land made famous by Wilbur Harrison's tune from the '50s began at Weld Wheels' operation on Wednesday morning before starting east toward the big river and the Midwest heartland. Company photographer Chuck James led this leg, with the Paddock's Tom Eddy riding shotgun. A missed turn in St. Louis cost some time, but rewarded the boys with a view of the fabled arch. After an overnight stay in Effingham, Illinois, the crew reached the Hoosier State and headed for the Paddock's facilities in Knightstown, Indiana, ate lunch at noon, and rolled into Columbus, Ohio, at 5 p.m.