Annual Auto Extravaganza To Roar Through The Rock
Annual Auto Extravaganza To Roar Through The Rock in January
Car Enthusiasts Set To Jump Start New Year; Original Bat Mobile to Make Debut in Capital City
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Dec. 14, 2009) -- Big names in classic car creations are set to take center stage in Arkansas' capital city this new year as The Rock's Fourth Annual Auto Extravaganza, presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, rolls into the downtown Statehouse Convention Center Jan. 8 -10.
Displaying some of the most prestigious vehicles in the country, the 2010 show will serve as an indoor hot spot of everything automotive, including marquee cars, commercial vendors, a high-end competition of street rods, muscle cars, street machines, customs, trucks, motorcycles, and a variety of fun and unique activities.
"The magnificent line-up of national award winning vehicles for the January show is one of a kind," Event Chair Carol Dolan said. "It is remarkable to have so many marquee vehicles on display under one roof. Arkansans are in for a real treat."
Adding to the unique attractions in January's line-up will be the original 1966 Bat Mobile, valued at
$2 million and currently housed at the Volo Museum in Illinois. Another "can't miss" display will be the Hot Rod of the Year -- "Blowfish" a 1969 Plymouth Cuda customized by "Rad Rides by Troy". Bat Mobile creator George Barris, "King of Kustomizers" will be on-hand for the event as well as Charley Hutton, well-known for his work on high-end marquee street rods and recipient of two prestigious Ridler Awards, several Street Rod of the Year and Custom Rod of the Year awards and America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award.
New exhibitions this year include "Panel Jam" which will feature six nationally-recognized pin stripers creating artwork on a six-piece canvas throughout the entire show, and a race boat from the F1 (Formula One) ChampBoat Series will be on display. Show participants and spectators will also have the opportunity to win a customized Barris/Hallmark guitar on Sunday, Jan. 10 valued at $3,500.
No car show is complete without great live rock-n-roll music. Jimi Jamison, former lead singer of the band Survivor who turned out hits such as "Eye of the Tiger" and "Can't Hold Back" will join popular, local Little Rock classic rock band CRISIS! on Saturday, Jan. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. Elvis Presley tribute artist Tony Witt will provide entertainment on Sunday evening as well.
Awards and cash prizes will be presented on Sunday, Jan. 10 and will feature a new "Trick 6" in which judges will select six of the show's best competing cars. The annual "Top of the Rock" winner will be selected from the Trick 6 award winners and will be announced as the finale to the awards ceremony on Sunday at 3 p.m. The "Top of the Rock" selection will receive a cash prize of $5,000, Best Show Truck and Best Paint will each receive a cash prize of $1,000, and a $300 cash prize will be awarded for the best of each of the following categories: Street Machine, Street Rod, Custom, Muscle Car, Restored Original, Motorcycle and Display. Custom trophies will be given for Top 20 Picks, Best Motor, Best Interior and Cruisin Style Magazine's Editor's Choice.
Show hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9. The show will close on Sunday, Jan. 10, with hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Advanced tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at participating O'Reilly Auto Parts stores in and around central Arkansas. Ticket prices are $8 in advance for adults and $10 at the door. Children six and under are free. Two and three-day passes can be purchased on site during show hours.
For more information call Carol Dolan at (800) 844-4781or email cdolan@littlerock.com. In addition, you can visit CrusinLittleRock.com.
