Getting in Gear with Smoky Mountain Car Shows
Robbin Dean
September 16, 2008
Everybody loves cars, and it seems that the cooler the cars are, the more we love them. But if you want to check out some of the coolest cars around, try rolling into Pigeon Forge one weekend when one of the many popular rod runs is in town.
For those unfamiliar with term "rod run," it´s used in these parts as the catchall name for an antique and/or custom automobile show. There are many that take place in the Smokies throughout the year, a couple of the more popular events being the Grand Rod Run and Shades of the Past. Over the years, these Pigeon Forge car shows and many others like them have helped turn the town into Rod Run Central.
The majority of Smoky Mountain Resorts´ hotels also happen to be located in Pigeon Forge, so if you´re attending an auto show or are just interested in checking one out for the first time, it only makes sense to stay in one of our fine resort properties. We´ll put you so close to the action, you´ll be only footsteps away from all that chrome and rubber and glossy paint.
The best part is that you won´t have to get your own family car out in traffic to see all the custom jobs. As a matter of fact, a lot of fans set up camp on their balconies or street side and spend their time watching the action from one convenient vantage point.
One of the first things you´ll notice about any car show is that the cars and trucks represent no small investment to their owners. Some "gear-heads" (as they refer to themselves) often invest tens of thousands of dollars in refurbishing, customizing and generally babying their vehicles. No doubt, most participants try to win back some of their investment in the form of prize money during the events. Cars are judged on factors such as attention to detail, cleanliness, modifications and overall appearance.
Beyond the judging and prizes, there´s also a lot of shoptalk, a respectful admiring of the competition and even a few big-ticket transactions along the way. During the Grand Rod Run, for example, hundreds of car buffs from more than 25 different states converge on the exhibition site to show off their rides, shop for parts and accessories and otherwise socialize with fellow auto enthusiasts.
The Grand Rod Run event is an "open" show, for all years, models and makes, showcasing everything from muscle cars of the 1960s to trucks to later model cars that have been modified. The Pro Street entries are often among the crowd favorites. These are modified race cars that are street legal, boasting such customizations as roll bars, oversized wheels and turbo chargers.
Upcoming Pigeon Forge car shows include the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, September 5 and 6, 2008; the Fall Grand Rod Run, September 11 through 14, 2008; the Spring Grand Rod Run, April 17 through 19, 2009; and the Chevy Classics Roundup and Chevy Classics Show, May 15 through 17, 2009; and the Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show, June 5 and 6, 2009.
Robbin Dean is a Reservations Agent for Smoky Mountain Resorts offering Pigeon Forge hotels including comfortable lodging and the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains. Visit http://www.smokymountainresorts.travel today for details. © 2008, All Rights Reserved
For those unfamiliar with term "rod run," it´s used in these parts as the catchall name for an antique and/or custom automobile show. There are many that take place in the Smokies throughout the year, a couple of the more popular events being the Grand Rod Run and Shades of the Past. Over the years, these Pigeon Forge car shows and many others like them have helped turn the town into Rod Run Central.
The majority of Smoky Mountain Resorts´ hotels also happen to be located in Pigeon Forge, so if you´re attending an auto show or are just interested in checking one out for the first time, it only makes sense to stay in one of our fine resort properties. We´ll put you so close to the action, you´ll be only footsteps away from all that chrome and rubber and glossy paint.
The best part is that you won´t have to get your own family car out in traffic to see all the custom jobs. As a matter of fact, a lot of fans set up camp on their balconies or street side and spend their time watching the action from one convenient vantage point.
One of the first things you´ll notice about any car show is that the cars and trucks represent no small investment to their owners. Some "gear-heads" (as they refer to themselves) often invest tens of thousands of dollars in refurbishing, customizing and generally babying their vehicles. No doubt, most participants try to win back some of their investment in the form of prize money during the events. Cars are judged on factors such as attention to detail, cleanliness, modifications and overall appearance.
Beyond the judging and prizes, there´s also a lot of shoptalk, a respectful admiring of the competition and even a few big-ticket transactions along the way. During the Grand Rod Run, for example, hundreds of car buffs from more than 25 different states converge on the exhibition site to show off their rides, shop for parts and accessories and otherwise socialize with fellow auto enthusiasts.
The Grand Rod Run event is an "open" show, for all years, models and makes, showcasing everything from muscle cars of the 1960s to trucks to later model cars that have been modified. The Pro Street entries are often among the crowd favorites. These are modified race cars that are street legal, boasting such customizations as roll bars, oversized wheels and turbo chargers.
Upcoming Pigeon Forge car shows include the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, September 5 and 6, 2008; the Fall Grand Rod Run, September 11 through 14, 2008; the Spring Grand Rod Run, April 17 through 19, 2009; and the Chevy Classics Roundup and Chevy Classics Show, May 15 through 17, 2009; and the Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show, June 5 and 6, 2009.
Robbin Dean is a Reservations Agent for Smoky Mountain Resorts offering Pigeon Forge hotels including comfortable lodging and the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains. Visit http://www.smokymountainresorts.travel today for details. © 2008, All Rights Reserved
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