The weekend was filled with drag racing and huge burnouts. |
Jim Collins of Rancho Santa Fe, California, should be very proud of this '65 Super Stock Hemi Plymouth Belvedere. |
This "factory race car" sports a healthy 675-horse Hemi built by Dale Reed and is covered in mirror-like black PPG paint. |
MCR can make flat black look so good. Their '73 Challenger was as tasteful as it was understated. While nothing specific jumps out at you to tell you that it's special, it still exudes cool in every way. The E-Body is a fine display of what Muscle Car Restorations is capable of. |
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Walking in the scorching temperatures of the Nevada desert can send any person into a delusional state of mind. You begin to see things that aren't really there. Imagine this scenario: You've been walking for hours as the sun continues to beat down on your body. There isn't any sign of civilization, and your mouth is dry. You take what seems to be your last step, but as you lift your head one last time, you see a spring of cool, refreshing water straight ahead. This sight gives you the strength to get back on your feet and run to the edge of the water. As you begin ferociously throwing water into your mouth, you suddenly wake up to find yourself on your hands and knees cupping sand into your mouth.
Just like the dream oasis, the '08 Mopars at the Strip event seems almost too good to be true, a quarter-mile strip in the middle of the Nevada desert with lines of Mopars ready to lineup and make a pass. Hosted by The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 28-30, the gathering has grown into one of the most popular Chrysler-only events in the United States. This year, thankfully, the heat wasn't an issue. A calm breeze of cool air filled the area throughout the majority of the weekend, pleasing both racers and fans.
The event caters to all Mopar owners, offering both bracket and heads up racing for everyone. From a Magnum rental car to a Viper, there was a class for you to race in. The Hemi Under Glass Barracuda was on hand to captivate the audience as Bob Riggle piloted the fish all the way down the quarter on the bumper, truly a sight to be seen. Easily the crowd favorite was the Hemi Super Stock Challenge. Fans flocked to the grandstands to watch these dominating vintage racers yank the tires to ridiculous naturally aspirated passes.
If you didn't feel like laying down rubber or just wanted a break from the racing, you could make your way over to the expansive car show. Droves of pristine Mopars from all platforms were represented; there was even a Bluesmobile replica complete with a roof-mounted speaker. Several of the most notable Mopar vendors were also in attendance with a display of their offerings for the performance and restoration groups. There was a swap meet filled with parts from all years, and there were plenty of cars for sale.
The fun continued back at the host hotel, The Cannery, each night. Live music and a quarter-mile of Mopars lining the street honored the cars' rich past and promising future.
You may have been tempted to pinch yourself because it didn't seem real. This paradise in the desert is an event that continues to grow and will surely do the same next year. It attracts enthusiasts from coast-to-coast and even some neighbors from Canada.
Giveaway car winner 2008
Cornelius Kelly of Henderson, NV
Total donation for 2008 $18,375.00 to be divided between Speedway Children's Charities, Southern Nevada Fire Fighters Burn Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities. $6,125.00 each. Thanks to all that supported this years effort.