2011

Why Reunions Matter




The Memphis Rodders Reunion has been a successful venture for many years now, but we lost some familiar old friends this year, making the 2011 reunion all the more significant.
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2011 Rodders Reunion Donation Presented




Larry Nolan and his daughter Kelly present the 2011 Memphis Rodders Reunion contribution to Potentate G. W. Percival.
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2011 Rodders Reunion Review




Another successful Memphis Rodders Reunion is in the history books. Good friends, good food, cool cars, and lots of memories.
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Plan to Attend the 2011 Memphis Rodders Reunion



It's Autumn once again. So now is the time make your plans to attend the 2011 Memphis Rodders Reunion. The usual Thursday before Thanksgiving date is fast approaching, and this year the Reunion will focus it's historical attention on the life and times of self-made performance magnate Joe Lunati.
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Delta River Cruisin' 2011



The Memphis Street Rods threw another big bash at Sam's Town Casino in Tunica MS this past weekend. Some 916 registered cars, and mostly beautiful weather made for lots of fun. Read More...
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Arnold Bonner

It's with considerable sadness that we must report the recent passing of Arnold Bonner. Arnold was a long-time competitor in the mid-south drag racing scene with his easily recognizable 1940 Chevrolet coupe. He was also a featured participant among a panel of honorees at the 2010 Memphis Rodders Reunion, where we examined the earliest days of the club's history. Arnold was there when the local drag racing scene began, and remained an enthusiastic supporter of the sport throughout his life.

He served his country in the Air National Guard, retiring after a lengthy career. He also spent his spare time drag racing throughout the southeast for the better part of four decades. He was a fixture at Lakeland Drag Strip, and staked a notable claim to having raced at Lakeland every year the track was in operation, and always with the same car, his black 1940 Chevy coupe that was a fierce competitor in the now defunct Modified Production Eliminator. Arnold's infamous Chevrolet was later restored by Fred Gilliam, and has been displayed at the Memphis Rodders Reunion on two separate occasions. Arnold was also a whiz at setting up automotive ignition systems for maximum performance, and his skills in this area were widely sought by his fellow racers. Read More...
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Arkansas Speed



Look at what showed up in my inbox. This mean looking 1960's slingshot dragster was raced by Arkansan O.D. Brazil, and it seems a replica may well be in the works.
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Back on the Track



So Greg Friend and I dropped in on the action at Memphis International Raceway last night to have a look at the first Test & Tune session held under the track's new ownership group.
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The 2011 NHRR Starts Thursday



This year, the National Hot Rod Reunion will follow a new schedule. Activities will start on Thursday, June 16th, and continue through Saturday the 18th when the event wraps up with the annual Cacklefest at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green KY.
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A Tourist at the Grand National Roadster Show



I had to share these with you. It seems Tim Payne really gets around and takes in the hot rod sights. This past January, Tim made a journey to the left coast, and came back with a pretty good sampling of traditional hot rods & customs via his personal photographs of his travels.
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Memphis ADRL Race Cancelled



Memphis drag racing fans... be advised that the ADRL event planned for May 20-21 has been cancelled. Seems the track is getting a face lift, and just won't be ready to see racing action before the scheduled spring race date. Read More...
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ADRL Returns to Memphis



The new owners of Memphis International Raceway are wasting no time putting a new racing schedule together. The 'Grand Opening' race for 2011 is already on the calendar, as the ADRL plans to bring it's brand of extreme doorslammer drag racing to town May 20-21.
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MPE Lands Parts Plus



Good news for Memphis drag racing fans who enjoy seeing hometown favorite top fuel driver Clay Millican in action. Clay, and team owner Mark Pickens, have secured Memphis based auto parts retailer Parts Plus as their primary sponsor for 12 races in 2011. The deal will also put the MPE dragster on the entire NHRA tour throughout 2012 and 2013.
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Attention in the Pits



Wow... What a long strange trip it's been, but January 31st, 2011 made it official. It looks like Memphis Motorsports Park really does have a future after all... as Memphis International Raceway!
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