I'm sure that David and/or Marty will have more to post, but the pictures are posted finally from the races. From the photographer's point of view (i.e. a drag race fan but can barely tell the difference between a rocker arm and a alternator) the races didn't go as expected but I still had a blast. I have lasting memories that I will always cherish. Marty and David (with the help of Johnny "Ironhorse" Rocca) did their best with the H/R, who just didn't feel 'herself' that weekend. I'll let one of the guys tell the full story (if they choose). Regardless, I'm proud David and Marty AND the 1978 Firebird as well as being very proud of all the Beat the Heat guys, I *still* love Sam's '57 Chevy (it's my 2nd fave) and I really enjoyed myself.
Just to make sure I state this, I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know a little about Johnny Rocca. He is one great guy and I enjoyed our conversation. He really has... something. I look forward to what I hope is years of friendship with him.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
NHRA Southern Nationals
Well folks, Officer Dave here with the latest update on Chattanooga Heat Motorsports. A special thanks to Marc, Marty, and Jay for helping get the Hot Rod ready for the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Marty and I loaded up and headed down to Commerce, GA. for the festivities early Friday morning. We arrived at the track around 0645 hrs. and got everything set up for U.S. Army’s Y.E.S. program. We got kicked off around 0800 hrs. and the kids started pouring into the venue. High school kids, college students, and Technology students were bused in from all around the region. There were many things for the kids and adults alike. Wyotech Institute had a drag bike set up with a drag tree to compete for quickest reaction times. Of course Marty and I had to give it a whirl; I thought I was on my game with a .008 reaction time, but then Marty had to put me out with a .006. UTI was also there, and had several door prizes for the kids who could answer certain technical questions. The Army had several men and women there, including a drill Sgt. who was making people do push-ups for free t-shirts and hats. They also had the rock climbing wall set up to challenge the kids and adults to see who had the best skills.
And let’s not forget who the U.S. Army sponsors, Tony Schumauker, and his Top Fuel Dragster was on display for all to see as they passed thru the gates. The Y.E.S. event was a huge success, and thousands were educated about Beat the Heat and Chattanooga Heat Motorsports.
Our good friend, Dana Mariotti, from the NHRA then escorted us down to our display area for the afternoon on the main strip. When we approached, the fans swamped the area and were amazed by blue lights of the ’78 Bird. When the parking was complete, and I had a chance to look around, all I could say is, WOW!!! I was parked right beside the set of NHRA Raceday TV show stage, and directly across was none other than the entire teams of Al-Anabe Racing. Jim Head was pitted to my right, and all I could think was, I’m actually in the midst of the people I have watched on TV for so long. Again I say, WOW!!! I could never begin to touch on the amount of people we talked with, but all were excited to see the cop car and reminisce of when they too had a Trans Am (minus the blue lights of course).
Later in the evening, I was approached by Chris Hill, one of the event coordinators for the NHRA. He was there to tell me that I was being moved from that location. I was devastated. My prime spot at the end of the main drag was soon coming to an end. He informed me of where I was going to be moved to, and off we went to scout it out. As I walked down the drag, I thought, I wonder how bad this spot will be. Then we stopped, and he said, “Will this be ok?”
I think my jaw hit the asphalt. The spot he was referencing just happened to be right next to Tony Shumauker’s trailer, across from the Full Throttle TV stage, and right beside the NITRO ALLEY sign itself!!! Unbelievable!!! And to think I thought the spot we had was prime. This was great, everybody coming into the venue would have to walk right past my car to get to the track, and not to mention it was right in the middle of ALL the big boys. I immediately returned and told Marty of the good news! When the venue was cleared for the evening, we moved the car around to the new location and got ready for the next day. Of course I pitched a tent right next to the Hot Rod. I couldn’t leave her out there all night by herself, haha!!!
Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, and the fans started rolling in early. Marty had a blast swearing in the kids and giving them junior police badge stickers for their efforts. I noticed him swearing in a young boy holding his mother’s hand, and as they turned to walk away, I noticed it just happened to be Melanie Troxell. Marty never looked up at mom, so he had no idea!
I met several officers from various departments, and a few who trade and collect patches as I do. I was walking to my truck with an officer to get one of my Chattanooga PD patches for him. As we started to cross the road to the truck, I was nearly struck by golf cart!!! Holy crap, I almost got run over, wait a minute, that’s Greg Anderson!!! I couldn’t help but notice Greg laughing as I jokingly accused him of TRYING to run over the Police.
Of course this was no comparison to Friday when I heard Marty yelling, I turned to look in just enough time to see John Force (with Ashley on the back) dodging Marty and snake right between my car and Joe Warren’s Ford Mustang!!!
Unfortunately, due to the threat rain, we called our weekend early and did not stay for Sunday, but Saturday turned out to be a constant flow of people taking pictures, videos; you name it of the Hot Rod. We were able to spread the word about Beat the Heat and Chattanooga Heat Motorsports to thousands of people. I am so pleased to be a part of Beat the Heat and our partnership with the NHRA. I am looking forward to the Thunder Nationals in Bristol, TN here in a few weeks!!!
If you happen to be there, stop in and say Hi…..just look for the black Trans Am with blue lights. See you there!!!
Our good friend, Dana Mariotti, from the NHRA then escorted us down to our display area for the afternoon on the main strip. When we approached, the fans swamped the area and were amazed by blue lights of the ’78 Bird. When the parking was complete, and I had a chance to look around, all I could say is, WOW!!! I was parked right beside the set of NHRA Raceday TV show stage, and directly across was none other than the entire teams of Al-Anabe Racing. Jim Head was pitted to my right, and all I could think was, I’m actually in the midst of the people I have watched on TV for so long. Again I say, WOW!!! I could never begin to touch on the amount of people we talked with, but all were excited to see the cop car and reminisce of when they too had a Trans Am (minus the blue lights of course).
Later in the evening, I was approached by Chris Hill, one of the event coordinators for the NHRA. He was there to tell me that I was being moved from that location. I was devastated. My prime spot at the end of the main drag was soon coming to an end. He informed me of where I was going to be moved to, and off we went to scout it out. As I walked down the drag, I thought, I wonder how bad this spot will be. Then we stopped, and he said, “Will this be ok?”
I think my jaw hit the asphalt. The spot he was referencing just happened to be right next to Tony Shumauker’s trailer, across from the Full Throttle TV stage, and right beside the NITRO ALLEY sign itself!!! Unbelievable!!! And to think I thought the spot we had was prime. This was great, everybody coming into the venue would have to walk right past my car to get to the track, and not to mention it was right in the middle of ALL the big boys. I immediately returned and told Marty of the good news! When the venue was cleared for the evening, we moved the car around to the new location and got ready for the next day. Of course I pitched a tent right next to the Hot Rod. I couldn’t leave her out there all night by herself, haha!!!Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, and the fans started rolling in early. Marty had a blast swearing in the kids and giving them junior police badge stickers for their efforts. I noticed him swearing in a young boy holding his mother’s hand, and as they turned to walk away, I noticed it just happened to be Melanie Troxell. Marty never looked up at mom, so he had no idea!
I met several officers from various departments, and a few who trade and collect patches as I do. I was walking to my truck with an officer to get one of my Chattanooga PD patches for him. As we started to cross the road to the truck, I was nearly struck by golf cart!!! Holy crap, I almost got run over, wait a minute, that’s Greg Anderson!!! I couldn’t help but notice Greg laughing as I jokingly accused him of TRYING to run over the Police.
Of course this was no comparison to Friday when I heard Marty yelling, I turned to look in just enough time to see John Force (with Ashley on the back) dodging Marty and snake right between my car and Joe Warren’s Ford Mustang!!!
Unfortunately, due to the threat rain, we called our weekend early and did not stay for Sunday, but Saturday turned out to be a constant flow of people taking pictures, videos; you name it of the Hot Rod. We were able to spread the word about Beat the Heat and Chattanooga Heat Motorsports to thousands of people. I am so pleased to be a part of Beat the Heat and our partnership with the NHRA. I am looking forward to the Thunder Nationals in Bristol, TN here in a few weeks!!!
If you happen to be there, stop in and say Hi…..just look for the black Trans Am with blue lights. See you there!!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chattanooga Heat on Nitro Alley at the Memphis NHRA Mid-South Nationals
Chattanooga Heat had the pleasure of being on display during the NHRA Mid-South Nationals in Memphis, TN from September 26-28. We spoke to hundreds of great race fans about the program and had a great opportunity to show off to thousands of race fans for our sponsors!
For the local fans, we hope to be back at Brainerd for a test & tune on our new, temporary engine. We have high hopes for it to perform well until the Pontiac Rock-n-Roll engine arrives. We'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Congratulations are in Order
Congratulations are in order for Officer Dave on his recent nomination and acceptance as the Tennessee State FOP Sergeant at Arms. Huge props from all of your friends and family for this monumental accomplishment.
Hopefully there will be more info soon on the Tennessee State FOP website and the FOP Rock City Lodge #22 website.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Watch the Calendar
Keep an eye on the calendar as there are some busy times coming up in the near future and we'd love to see you at one of our events! Also, if you would like to discuss opportunities for one of our folk's to speak at your function, school, etc. drop us a line and let us know.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New Video on YouTube
Marty made a really cool compilation video comprised of development pictures of the car and various events throughtout 2007. Good pictures, good racing video, and good music come together for a very worth-while 4 minutes! Be sure to take a look!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-NGRm1p2jQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-NGRm1p2jQ
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