2013 NSRA day in Little Rock has record attendance.

 Article & Photos by Tim Irby

Every year the annual NSRA appreciation and inspection day In Little Rock, Arkansas seems to be a big hit.  That’s kind of expected.  It’s usually the first event of the new year after a long winter and people are ready to get out and have fun with their rod.  But the 11^th annual version on March 9, 2013 was record setting.  In a warm, but windy Saturday, 134 hot-rodders, dusted off their rods and rolled into the Pulaski Technical College parking lot in Little Rock for a great one-day event.

According to Kay Skaggs, Arkansas’ NSRA representative, there were 62 NSRA members in attendance who received their NSRA Appreciation pin and 5 new members joined.  By the end of the day, the crack NSRA inspection team of Ronnie Clark, Bobby Weber Clark and Don Starks, had finished their inspections.  A special kudos goes to these 3 inspectors who volunteer their time and knowledge to help hot-rodders have a safe ride.

For early birds, coffee and donuts were waiting for them upon arrival, all provided free of charge by the local Golden Corral Restaurant.

Classic American Muscle and Streetrods (CAMS) Car Club was the host again for the 11^th consecutive year.  Members of the club helped with parking, served chili, gave away prizes and generally served as ambassadors for NSRA.  Our always dependable DJ, Mike Lewellyn from nearby Lonoke, kept things hopping with 50’s and 60’s music all day. His system provides music and clear announcements to the far corners of the parking lot.  

Many rodders generously donated money to help fund the Ben Garcia Scholarship Fund at Pulaski Tech.  CAMS established the scholarship to honor Ben Garcia, a longtime member who was serving as the club’s vice president at the time of his death in June 2009.  It is hopeful that it will help get younger people interested in the hobby Ben loved so much.

By 2pm the annual hotrod “coming out” event of the spring was finished for another year.  Now the 2013 hotrod season can officially begin in Arkansas. 

CAMS president, Judy Holt, said the club would once again host the event in March 2014.  Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors and supporters.  Without their continued support, CAMS would be unable to put on such a quality event with no registration fee.  And thanks again to all the hot-rodders who came out for the NSRA. For more photos of the day, visit www.camscarclub.org.

Story by Tim Irby

Photos by Dan Slingbaum

    The 11th annual “Dad’s Ole Car Ain’t What It Us To Be” at the North Little Rock Veterans Hospital was held on November 4 under blue skies, bright sun and a very pleasant 65-degree fall temperature.  Well over 100 hot rod, muscle car, classic car and truck owners enjoyed showing their pride and joy to the hospitalized veterans, staff and family members.   
    

    On this beautiful fall day the parking lot was full of patients, hospital staff and family members. Many of the patients were in wheel chairs and others were dragging along oxygen tanks just to get an up close look at these vintage vehicles. Each had a story to tell. Each had a memory from their past. This year the VA provided photos of patients standing or sitting in front of their favorite vehicle. What a nice touch!
 
    Everything was free, which included Frito pie (chili poured over Fritos for those who are not familiar with this southern delicacy) fruit and cookies provided by Golden Corral Restaurant, Kroger donated drinks and Polar Ice provided ice.  The day began and ended with great period music by DJ Mike Llewellen.  Mike played music all day and the speakers were arranged so everyone could hear the music and announcements from anywhere on the parking lot. And with the help of the VA staff there was plenty of parking. No door dings here.

       
    Along with the vehicles, the Jacksonville Museum of Military History had a huge vinyl map of Viet Nam where vets were asked to sign, mark where they were stationed or leave a message for a buddy.  The map will be on display at the museum.  It was a moving experience to watch these veterans as they participated in this exhibit.

    This event is not a car show in its purest sense but CAMS Car Club of Sherwood gave out a couple of plaques.  A Peoples Choice award went to Ed and Helen Kowalski from Sherwood for their 1970 green Buick GS455.  And the Participants Choice award was given to James Edwards from Vilonia who drove down in his ’68 glossy black Chevelle SS.    

    The North Little Rock VA hospital primarily serves veterans requiring long-term hospitalization. Some are there for only a few months. Some never leave and their bed area becomes a permanent home filled with books, pictures and othememorabilia.  Participating in this event is a one worthwhile experience.  We hope to see even more vehicles in 2013.