Power Tour lessons learned

[Blaster11]

For us guys who went on Power Tour this year what lessons did you learn while they are still fresh? Things like amount of cash needed, tools, hotels, really anything good or bad that would help us to plan for next year.

Thanks,

Bruce

[69Nova]

You need a passanger. Its hard trying to drive 80mph and use a camera. Plus you probly will want to take it easy and let that person drive at some point.

[toxicz28]

Bring a bigger car! Me, the wife, two kids, luggage, souveniers, plus cameras, toys, a stroller, and all the free swag does not make riding in an '02 Camaro SS very comfortable!

[Neil B]

I learned that you can go the distance in a car that most people think is unstreetable. I drove over 1,700 miles with a full manual valve body TH350, drag radials, skinnies up front, no sway bars, no air/HVAC, 4" flowmaster, and 2.5" of ground clearance. It drove like a dream, even on the curvy Blue Ridge Parkway, and ran 11's at E-town.

I used only basic hand tools on the tour - a screwdriver, a few small sockets, and a timing light.

The GM Performance trailer has misc. items for quick fixes such as nuts/bolts/clamps, rubber hose, jacks, stands, etc.

I spent $300 cash (does not include gas or hotels).

Directions from the venue to your hotel are very important.

Sunblock and bottled water are your best friends.

Leaving each morning from my hotel to start the tour worked best for me, I did not go back to the venue.

You WILL get caught in traffic so make sure your cooling system is top notch.

[Matt@RFR]

4" exhaust and 11's?? Most cars I know of running four inch exhaust are in the bottom 9's to mid 8's. What's the deal?

[Neil B]

4" exhaust and 11's?? Most cars I know of running four inch exhaust are in the bottom 9's to mid 8's. What's the deal?

Single 4" exhaust. It's a 3rd Gen Camaro. It went 11.91 at 115 normally aspirated with a lackluster 1.73 60'. I did not use the bottle.

[Mike Holleman]

This was my fifth long haul, but my first without a co driver. This years tour was the shortest for me at slightly under 3,000 miles. The 02 tour was over 5,000 miles for me. A co driver is good for the body and mind.
Mike Holleman

[Blaster11]

Did you guys run solo, meaning lone car or did you have friends with other cars or did you meet people to drive with?

Bruce

[Bob Johnson]

This was my fifth long haul, but my first without a co driver. This years tour was the shortest for me at slightly under 3,000 miles. The 02 tour was over 5,000 miles for me. A co driver is good for the body and mind.
Mike Holleman

I must be missing something..I ran the long haul in 2003 with The Battle Axe 69 Camaro..that was enough for me..I made 3 stops in the Cuda this time..I enjoy the association with friends, but the hustle and bustle is more than I can enjoy. It's like work to me. I did it this year just to show everyone that the Cuda will drive and not have problems. Mission accomplished..

[dhardison]

This was my 2nd Power Tour, but my first long haul (3517 miles total). I've found that it can be hectic, but only if you make it that way. Freiburger said the three most important words at the Kissimmee morning meeting, "it's a vacation".

• Have a co-driver
• Take it easy - No need to kill yourself to get to the next venue - There are more cars than you can see in one afternoon anyway and the same vendors are at each stop
• See a few sites along the way
• Follow the pre-planned route ONLY if you want to
• In the mornings don't leave with the other 500 cars from the venue, get up, have a nice sit-down breakfast and leave from your hotel
• Take time to sit out in the hotel parking lots in the evenings - Talk with as many folks as you can, most everyone has a story - If you don't believe it, just ask them about their car

[Mike Holleman]

Dan, We must have missed running into each other at every venue. I saw your car at several stops, but never face to face.
Blaster, I have a crew that generally travels together. And my son has done the last three with me. This year I drove it solo but a good friend and I hooked up. He in his 63 Nova SS conv. and me in my 64 Tempest Conv.
Yes Bob it is a lot like work, but damn don't I love driving the hell out of my car. The PT is just an excuse to drive an old car for more miles than one is likely to do at any other time for any other reason. To me driving em is what this hobby is all about.

[PeteRR]

Turn up the stereo and ignore all of the little noises that sound like catastrophe in the making. As long as you have good oil pressure and the coolant temps stay nominal you're good to go.

Traveling with a group makes everything easier.

Find out where the good strip clubs are before the Tour. It was really hit and miss for us at each stop.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Sorry we missed ya Dan. Saw your car a few nights in the parking lot, but did not see you.

Toxic, your kids were the best, you should be proud.

[toxicz28]

Toxic, your kids were the best, you should be proud.

Thanks Frank! I appreciate that. Once I get the pics toned down, I'll post some of Bill feeding the baby lemons.

edit: check the pics section, they're there.

Steve, I got another lesson you learned: Don't forget to turn off the air conditioning when they're calling for rain.

[Steve Chryssos]

Did you guys run solo, meaning lone car or did you have friends with other cars or did you meet people to drive with?
Bruce

Driving in a group is a big plus. Try to coordinate hotels, routes, and start times. It helps if your group includes the G-Force Cuda, Fuel, the Billy Goat, a trick AMX and a selection of nice late model cars.

Try to map out some hot rod shops along the way in case you need access to some real tools. Just in case, I had access to Prodigy Customs in FL, DSE in NC and G-Force in PA.

Another thought: Drive your car as much as possible before Power Tour. Don't "finish" it the night before. My car is almost five years old, but I made a number of changes prior to Power Tour. I drove it for 6 weeks before leaving and then drove 1220 miles from NY to Orlando. So I had the chance to really sort the car before Power Tour. 300 miles from Orlando, I lost an axle bearing, barbecued the CD player, and the wiper motor failed. I was able to replace the axle bearing and CD player at Prodigy before leaving for Power Tour. RainX took care of the wipers.

During Power Tour, I continuously "Nut & Bolted" my car to avoid problems. Turns out the pumpkin hardware on my new 9" Ford rear had worked loose. I tightened the nuts in the parking lot of a hotel. Likewise, I tightened the oil pan bolts while checking the car at G-Force Design in PA. Check for telltale signs (i.e. leaks) at the beginning of each day and at fuel stops. Use a flashlight--even during daylight.

I had just enough little issues to make Power Tour interesting and challenging without ruining the trip. 2720 miles later, I feel that I can now hop in my car and drive it anywhere, anytime. Anybody can Power Tour a 2006 Mustang or Magnum wagon. I would rather have a few gremlins to chase.

In the end, I think that is a big part of what Power Tour is about--making your car the best it can be.

[Charley Lillard]

I was in the middle of nowhere at a gas station and who pulls up next to me for gas ???? Neil... Pretty cool meeting people for the first time in the middle of nowhere. I watched him at Englishtown also.

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve, I got another lesson you learned: Don't forget to turn off the air conditioning when they're calling for rain.

You mean this? Here it is in the ON position: (OFF is covered with duct tape.)

[toxicz28]

You mean this? Here it is in the ON position: (OFF is covered with duct tape.)

Exactly!

[dhardison]

Dan, We must have missed running into each other at every venue. I saw your car at several stops, but never face to face.

Same here Mike, I saw your sweet ride many times. Sorry we didn't meet up.

Dan

[dhardison]

Sorry we missed ya Dan. Saw your car a few nights in the parking lot, but did not see you.

I kept looking for Prodigy and Jangarag's bird, but then a few days in to the Tour heard you guys ran out of time. Sorry to I didn't get to meet you and Lisa.

Dan