NSRA Day Held In North Little Rock On The First Day of Spring
by Tim Irby

The annual NSRA Day in beautiful Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas was, once again, a success despite threats of an afternoon storm.

The rain held off (yet cut attendance from Western Arkansas where it was already storming) and well over 100 enthusiastic hot rodders drove their prize vehicles into Central Arkansas for an NSRA inspection and appreciation pin.  Of course, catching up with ole friends and car looking was a major part of the day. 

According to Kay Skaggs there were around 75 NSRA members in attendance.  By the end of the day, the crack NSRA inspection team, led by the Arkansas State Safety Representative, Roger Barnhill from Jonesboro, had inspected 37 vehicles.  Steve Treadway of Jonesboro and Tommy Garland of Cabot assisted Barnhill with the inspections.

The Safety Award went to Bob Greenough of Harrison, Arkansas.  He left as it began to snow in Harrison (yes, a foot of snow on the first day of Spring), but had an exhaust leak when his inspection was done, which didn't allow him to pass. So, he left and went to a muffler shop, had it repaired, and came back in order to pass inspection. Bob is a real trooper. The Appreciation Award went to Beverli Pullen of Jacksonville.

Coffee and donuts were provided free of charge by the local Golden Corral Restaurant who also cooked chili for lunch.  Major sponsors included the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau who obtained the pavilion and port-a-potties plus $500 cash for door prizes, Advance Auto Parts who gave $400 in prizes and Holiday Inn Presidential donated a night in the Presidential Suite and breakfast for two. In addition, Delta Dental provided their huge cooker for $1 and Polar Ice provided all the ice. 

Classic American Muscle and Streetrods (CAMS) Car Club was the host for the eighth consecutive year.  Members of the club helped with parking, cooked hamburgers, and hotdogs and served up Frito pie, gave away prizes and generally served as ambassadors for NSRA. CAMS provided the Craftsman tool chest that was won by Gerald McNew of Jacksonville who drove his original ’61 Plymouth Belvedere to the park.  Mike Lewellyn from nearby Lonoke, Arkansas kept things hopping with 50’s and 60’s music. 

Raffle ticket sales topped $1300 and CAMS added $500, therefore a total of $1800 was donated to Treatment Homes, Inc. , which provides caring for foster children with special needs.  CAMS has been providing financial assistance to the organization for several years and is the clubs charity of choice.

Inspections were complete by mid afternoon and the annual hotrod “coming out” event of the spring was done for another year.  Now the 2010 hotrod season can officially begin in Arkansas. 

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. See more photos of the day.