Update: Studes @ 2017 Meltdown Drags w/ Promoter Wrap-Up

[BobPalma]

Bob, regarding Gordy Beutsch's awesome gasser, what tranny does it have? oh, and about his grill surrounds, they look far too nice to be on his car...perhaps he wants to trade me for the ones with a little more patina on my car? lol cheers, junior

What Ted said about the transmission, Junior. Gordy didn't mention any changes from last year, and we talked for some time.

As for the grill surrounds, I'll admit they look pretty nice. But I don't have any idea if they are that nice because I haven't looked at them very closely, or with an eye toward their sale and/or replacement. BP

[BobPalma]

The cutoff for the Meltdown has always been 1966 except maybe the first one might have been earlier. Bob is right, any review of the Meltdown does not do it justice. Jim

Jim is correct and I stand corrected: The cutoff date is and always has been 1966.

I just confirmed that with co-promoter Paul Zielsdorf this morning, linking him to this thread so he'd know how much the event is enjoyed.

Paul reminded me that the earlier Illinois' Hunnert Car Pileup cutoff was 1964. BP

[63larkr1]

Bob,
When I had my Lark Challenger there running in SS I ran a 1967 Camaro. I think he had an exception? That was the only time I saw him, I think he left early.
It's a great event.
Richard

[BobPalma]

Here's the Official Recap from the event for those interested.

(Incidentally, mention is made of Pie Crust Slicks. These are period-style slicks with indentations around the upper sides, right at the edge of the tread, that look like the pinched pie crusts your Grandmother used to have around the edge of her pies. Take a close look at the outer edge of the slicks on Gordy's straight-axle gasser, here, to see the pinched-look pie crust edge):



Now, here's the 2017 Event Report and Wrap-Up from The Meltdown's promoters:

July 18, 2017: 8^th annual Meltdown Drags Recap

Thank you for coming to the 8^th annual Meltdown Drags. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to come out to capture and share the uniqueness of the Meltdown Drags with the world.


We came a long way in 8 short years. The idea was conceived years earlier but came to reality after the 7 officers discussed a utopia place where push start cars were not misunderstood, where it is not about who is fastest or who wins, and where no cars newer than 1966 would be allowed. Appearance of the cars would be regulated along with wheel rules all to mirror a 1960’s drag meet.

Year One had 30 cars and shared the track with the Pontiac & snowmobile clubs, test & tune cars, & junior dragsters. By Year 3, the track dedicated the day to the Meltdown Drags only and we had 400 racers. 2015 brought out portable lighting and night racing with over 500 racers.

The Meltdown Drags is the largest vintage drag meet in the world. We have cars from all over the U.S. and Canada and spectators from all over the world like Ian from England. Nearly 14,000 spectators and 518 racers.

Why did the Mecca of vintage drag racing come to Byron Illinois? Because The Meltdown was created for the love of old race cars and the fun of it. The MDA (Meltdown Drags Association) runs the event and does not take from it. All proceeds cover the costs of putting the event on and any leftover funds go direct back to the racers in the form of giveaway items. Don’t believe us? Check out the tent full of giveaways including tires, engine parts, tools, a welder, clothing, floor jacks, etc. The track takes all gate fees and uses it to stay open for everyone to enjoy the facility.

The youth are our future and we embrace them with the SLAM group helping the kids build model car kits (for free) and also with the hot wheels race track where they get to race a hot wheels car and take it home when they are done. We had 3 16 year olds, Carly, Wyatt & David racing and they earned the Young Gun award and got to pick a special prize from the tent.

Everyone likes pretty girls and there is no shortage of them here. From 7PM to 8 PP Saturday, while the track staff took a mandatory break and the track was prepped for night racing, the celebrity judge panel picked Miss Meltdown Drags out of the group of amazing participants. This is a family-friendly contest at the top of the staging lanes. The winner this year was 'Betsy Boondocks'.

The event pays tribute to all who have served our country with the field of American flags along the track and also with the color guard raising the colors and the 21 gun salute on Saturday night. The color guard includes members of the Oregon, Illinois American Legion Post 97 and VFW post 8739. Thank You for your service.

We have the largest number of race groups we have ever had including the fastest gasser group around, Scottrods AA gassers. Also we are proud to have the Great Lakes Gassers, Nostalgia Gasser Racing Association, Nostalgia Super Stocks and various car clubs.

The swap meet and car show are second to none with a ton of cool vintage period correct parts for sale and cool cars from all over the Midwest.

Future events from the MDA include:
Vintage Drag Racing 101 “The Fallout” #2 in Rock Falls Wisconsin September 29-30, near Eau Claire.
The brand new event:
“Uncle Sam’s Pie Eating Contest” June 2^nd in Byron Illinois which all cars must run Pie Crust slicks along with other criteria. Saturday night the first 7 pairings of cars did a true 60's race, no burn outs or dry hops, and ran right off the line when the light turned green!

BJ and Rhonda (track owners) along with Randy & Chelsey Simpson (track managers) are wonderful hosts and if you pay close attention you will see this is the cleanest track you have ever seen. They take pride in their top notch facility. The food stand run by Dave Gustafson never had lines and had great-tasting, great-priced food.

The Meltdown Drags Association consists or the following people and groups:


Eric Koopmeiners
Paul Zielsdorf
Jeff Koopmeiners
Steve Liberto
Smokey Moe Peterson
Tom Bucek
Art Zangerle
Border Bandits car club
No Club car club

For more information, check out Meltdowndrags.com or email meltdowndrags@gmail.com


Where the guys go that "get it"
http://meltdowndrags.com/

[voxnut]

Jim is correct and I stand corrected: The cutoff date is and always has been 1966.

I just confirmed that with co-promoter Paul Zielsdorf this morning, linking him to this thread so he'd know how much the event is enjoyed.

Paul reminded me that the earlier Illinois' Hunnert Car Pileup cutoff was 1964. BP

Hey, I was correct first!

- - - Updated - - -

Awesome ! eagle field is on my list of place's to run. Hoping to run My buds 41 willys there some time this year.

Very cool! I will look for you there!

[R3 challenger]

Great report, Bob; thanks.

George

[StudeRich]

(Incidentally, mention is made of Pie Crust Slicks. These are period-style slicks with indentations around the upper sides, right at the edge of the tread, that look like the pinched pie crusts your Grandmother used to have around the edge of her pies. Take a close look at the outer edge of the slicks on Gordy's straight-axle gasser, here, to see the pinched-look pie crust edge):/Cut/

Well since PhotoBlunder will not allow you to enlarge Photos any more, there is no chance of actually SEEING more than a trace of those Dimples around the Tire Shoulder.

[BobPalma]

Well since PhotoBlunder will not allow you to enlarge Photos any more, there is no chance of actually SEEING more than a trace of those Dimples around the Tire Shoulder.

Interesting, Rich. When I hover my cursor over the photo and then hold down CTRL and + at the same time, it enlarges the photo nicely. Then have to hold CTRL and - at the same time to get the page back down to regular size.

Are you able to do that? BP

[Buzzard]

Bob,
By jiminy it works! Never knew that.
Bill