News for January 30th 2010
Talladega Superspeedway to host car auction
Bill Chapman’s Alabama Antique & Classic Car Auction, Car Corral & Swap Meet is moving from the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham to Talladega Superspeedway’s infield. Chapman’s annual automotive event has grown every year since he started it in 1980. “We had outgrown the Fairgrounds but had not planned to move,” Chapman said. For the past 28 years the event has been held at what was the home of the oldest race track in Alabama. Circumstances forced Chapman to move the event 52 miles away to the notorious infield of NASCAR’s Talladega Superspeedway the weekend of February 26-28, 2010.
“Last year’s event almost didn’t take place. Buildings that we were supposed to have access to at the Fairgrounds were being torn down the week of the show,” Chapman said. “The city of Birmingham destroyed a source of revenue.” Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, convicted of 60 bribery-related counts on Oct. 28, 2009, spearheaded a plan that proposed to build an Olympic-style village in the place of the historic 5/8th-mile race track known as BIR or Birmingham International Raceway. The race track, grandstands, along with most of the buildings, excluding the Bill Harris Arena, were demolished last year.
I wrote about Chapman’s final antique auction at the Fairgrounds, (here and here).
Chapman says the Talladega car auction/corral and swap meet will be a full 3-day event. Spectators will enter through a gate near turn 3 and drive across the backstretch of the track into the infield. If you attend the show be sure to check out the cars in the parking lot too. At past shows I have seen a large number of spectator’s classic cars in the parking lot with for sale signs propped in their windows.
More than 400 cars are expected in the car corral. That’s where you can sell your own car from an assigned spot. Cost is $100 per car.
Saturday at 11 a.m. the car auction takes place inside the Sprint Cup Garage. “This will allow a travel day for those from out of town.” Chapman also said he “expects this to be the largest show he has ever had.” Last year more than 100 cars went through the auction.
This should be a good time to find a deal on a classic vehicle or that hard to find part you need. That is, if you have cash to spare? The Dixie Vintage Automobile Club is also hosting a car show on pit road during the 3-day event. I will have more info on it soon.
DETAILS
Alabama Antique & Classic Car Auction, Car Corral & Swap Meet
February 26-28, 2010
Schedule
Friday, February 26 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Auction Time: 11 a.m. Saturday
Sunday, February 28 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Tickets
Three (3) Day Ticket $25.00
Single Day Ticket $10.00
Children 10 and under FREE
Flea Market
10′ X 20′ Outside Space $100.00
10′ X 10′ Limited Inside $100.00 (Pre-Registration Required)
Car Corral
Sale Your Car Outside $100.00
Auction
Attention Sellers – All you pay is $100.00 Entry Fee (5% Commission Charge Buyers & Sellers)
Bring Cars and Proper Papers. Minimum Seller Fee $200 or 5%
Edited: January 30th, 2010
Plans set for spoiler test at Talladega Superspeedway
NASCAR has tentatively added a third test of the spoiler on the Sprint Cup Series car, this one set for the sport’s biggest track.
Plans are to test the vehicle March 16 at Talladega Superspeedway, according to a series spokesman. That test would be in addition to a two-day open session scheduled for March 23-24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and would be to specifically examine the spoiler’s performance on a restrictor-plate track. Four drivers also tested cars outfitted with the spoiler at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this month.
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The spoiler would replace the rear wing on current Cup Series cars, which has been criticized by fans and drivers alike for both its appearance and its aerodynamic characteristics. Pending the results of testing, the spoiler could return to vehicles on NASCAR’s premier division as early as this spring.
“The deal with the spoiler looks very promising,” driver Martin Truex Jr. said. “I think it’s important for the fans. I think they’ll be more excited to look at the cars. The cars look a little racier, a little more sleek. Every car I have ever seen since I was born had a spoiler on it. That will be good.”
Some have blamed the rear wing for the recent spate of airborne accidents at Talladega, including Ryan Newman’s flip during the track’s most recent event, and Carl Edwards’ crash into the restraining fence in the spring race. NASCAR, though, has insisted that the wing is not the culprit in those incidents, and that airborne crashes at Talladega were not the impetus behind the move to the spoiler.
“I have seen a lot of, well, it looks like we did that because of Talladega, Ryan Newman getting air under his [wing] contributed to that,” NASCAR chairman Brian France said recently. “As [Sprint Cup director] John Darby reminded me, we had a similar instance of more than one at Talladega with the spoiler, as well, in terms of the car lifting off. That’s always something we will address, and putting the spoiler on doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that we have car lift at Talladega.
“Lift is a problem, and we will solve that, and [there are] already lots of ways to do that. The spoiler is coming on for the look of it, to look more like it used to, and to drive differently and create better racing. That’s the premise of the spoiler.”
Edited: January 30th, 2010
NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson crashed during practice
Four-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson crashed during practice Thursday for this weekend’s 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway.
Johnson is feeling fine and hoping to get back behind the wheel for another practice on Friday, driver spokeswoman Kristine Curley said. Johnson is still planning to drive in the 24 Hours of Daytona on Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course.
“I put myself in a position with a GT car that I shouldn’t and paid the price,” Johnson said in a statement. “I hate it that I tore up equipment and put the guys in this spot. It looks like we will get this fixed and hopefully everything will be good for tomorrow.”
Johnson damaged the rear end of his No. 99 Chevrolet Riley Daytona Prototype trying to avoid a slower car. He hit the brakes, turned sideways, slid backward and slammed into the wall.
Johnson’s team is planning to rush parts to Daytona and work through the night in hopes of getting the car back on the track by Friday.
Edited: January 30th, 2010
Valentine’s Day Ideas for a Memorial Moment
Valentine’s Day is a special day to celebrate that special relationship. A unique way to commemorate this special day is with a romantic horse and carriage ride. Valentine’s Day is right around the cornor once again. Most couples celebrate this special day by dining at a fine restaurant, while others celebrate with gifts exchanged or even a romantic getaway. After years of dating or being married, one may find it difficult to come up with something different and distinctive ways to spend the holiday. Hey, what about a a horse and buggy ride! Horse Drawn Carriage Rides rides are offered in many metropolitan cities in the United States. Some of the most popular cities for carriage rides include Orlando, historic Boston, New York City, and many others. There are a range of different carriages. For more comfort, several carriage owners have added various amenities to their coaches. Some of the more luxurious buggies provide soft music, a blanket (for colder days or evenings) and a driver decked out in a fancy atire. Most horse drawn carriage rides last anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour. These tours may take one through a scenic park, or may involve a tour of a cities downtown. In some cases advanced reservations are required; nonetheless, in larger cities, one can simply catch a buggy ride at a number of specified locations. Many carriage companies will increase the number of buggies available for public rides on Valentine’s Day. Custom Horse Drawn Carriage Rides along with standard tours, several carriage companies also allow for custom tours. This means that one can make their Valentine’s Day plans well in advance. In addition to choosing your destination, special amenities and treats can also be arranged. Make the evening special with one or more of the following ideas: Take a carriage ride to and from a favorite theater, restaurant or to a local Bed and Breakfast. Arrange to have champagne glasses and champagne (or sparkling cider) aboard the coach upon pick up. Have the coach arrive with a dozen roses, or have the coach decorated in a special flower. If a married couple, consider using colors and flowers from related to your wedding. Whatever details you choose, it’s sure to be a memorial and special day.
Edited: January 30th, 2010