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brought to you by
Detroit Locker
and Don "The Beachcomber" Johnson for the photos and daily reports!
12:30 AM Orlando
This is the seventh report regarding the Hot Rod Power Tour live and direct from the Courtyard by Marriot 'hotel' in Disneyville (Orlando). As all savvy
enthusiasts already know, the Tour itself ended at about 9:00 tonight. There are no further legs and sleepless nights, no more fresh grouper, and key lime
pie for a while...but memories last a lifetime and this 'car guy' will never forget this one. I plan to go next year, and the next, and the next.
I will, as fate would have it, be coming to you with my final extended overview of the tour and what it has meant to this editor (?) tomorrow, direct from
the Hilton Garden Hotel in the Orlando airport area where I plan to rest up and gather together my thoughts for one complete day before entering the
'friendly skies' back to California. I will not, however, miss the heat and humidity!
This morning myself and my good friend John Sonnefeldt packed up and left the confines of the Tallahassee Courtyard by Marriot in route to the last stop
on the Hot Rod Magazine Power tour (Kissimmee, FL...read Orlando).
John warned me to the fact that his sleep was limited, due to late phone calls. I girded myself for a rough day. Sleep degradation is always a problem when
traveling, especially when behind the wheel. This is no secret...why am I even pointing this out? (sleep degradation!).
Our journey began with myself at the wheel of the now popular Detroit Enduro SSR. The entire field of 'long Haulers' have become infatuated with this
creation, and John S. driving the Detroit Truetrac Ford Explorer. After A couple of rest stops for 1/2 hour relaxation periods (sleeping), John began to drive
in a straight line. The Red Bulls seemed to have a positive effect on both of us. This 325 mile leg was, for the most part, super highway travel and the only
hitch in this 'get-a-log' was a short fuel stop in Lake City, FL. I was, as usual, able to fit in a few high speed stints including another dice with the pesky
Dodge truck with the stacks (mentioned earlier). I lost this one again, as I later found that this funky looking truck was equipped with a Viper engine
under its hood. He was half throttle, I was on the rev limiter!..Can't win 'em all!
Sadly, I was not able to lower the top due to inclement looking weather threats. Actually sunburn has taken it's toll over the week, so a rest from sun was
not completely unwanted.
We finally arrived at the Kissimmee, FL fairgrounds and again placed ourselves and our rides in the Detroit Locker exhibit area. Gray skies and light rain
greeted us at arrival and continued throughout the day. As luck would have it, the skies fell again at the end of the event, which caused the awards
ceremony to be held, due to the heavy (by the buckets) rain, in an auditorium which had been hastily sweep after a recent monster truck show.
We threw some T-shirts and caps into the stands and were able to award one of our famous Detroit Truetrac lockers to a lucky rodder from the great state
of Ohio.
During the day, I was able to meet up with most of the fellow SSR 'long haulers' and locals. A finer group of enthusiasts you couldn't ask for...and what
not? This SSR seems to have been designed and manufactured for the Hot Rod Power Tour! Anybody would be happy to travel in one of these things...
Forget that they are a bit heavy and the bed is a bit small...this is one fine cruiser 4-2..especially when it is out fitted like ours (Magnuson Supercharger,
Truetrac differential locker, Dynatech Headers, 3.90 gear, and appearance products from Axiom Design Solutions).
Alas, the '05 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour is complete and after a few hours of hand shaking with long haulers our vehicles will be trucked back to
Rockford, Ill. and be prepared for use at the Car Craft Summer Nationals and The Good Guys Columbus, OH events. We'll climb on our cramped silver
birds and savor the prior week's enjoyment (more later on this).
Ladies and gentlemen..if you like cars, a great finely planned road trip, camaraderie, and all around lifetime experience.... consider the Power Tour...It's
almost beyond description as far as I'm concerned! Trust me.... I've run down the Bonneville salt flats @ almost 300 MPH and completed thousands of drag
race runs in top fuel and funny cars, but I can't ever remember of having more down right fun and pleasure than this event has to offer.
Don “the Beachcomer” Johnson
DJ&F INTERNATIONAL
Marketing-Media/Public Relations
(805) 382-2131
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All images copyrighted. Images not for reproduction without permission.
Hotrodhappenings, P.O. Box 14536, Arlington, Texas 76094
