RAND SHOW TO FEATURE HOT RODS, DRAGSTERS

A massive display of muscle cars, hot rods, racing cars, classics, and dragsters will be one of the Highlights of this year’s Rand Easter Show, held at the Nasrec Expo Centre from April 6 to 15.

Entitled the “Festival of Motoring”, this year’s display will be three times the size of a similar display last year which proved to be one of the most popular exhibits at the 2011 show.

In addition to the spectacularly varied exhibit of cars from eras dating from the early 1900s to the latest muscle cars from the US, the Festival of Motoring will feature a motoring stage show on both weekends of the show, hosted by well known motoring media personalities Stuart Johnston and Hendrik Verwoerd.

“The response to this year’s event has been amazing,” said Johnston. “We’ve had clubs and owners of classics and racing cars contacting us constantly to ensure they reserve their spot in Hall 5, due to the response of last year”.

Highlights of  Hall 5 will be the appearance of the famous Tarlton Jet Car, which will be wheeled out of the hall on the weekend days to do the famous “Burner Pops”. This involves starting up the incredibly powerful Westinghouse jet engine and injecting raw fuel into the flame emitted from the back of the Jet Car. This car is capable of accelerating to 400 km/h in less than six seconds.

“The sound of that Jet Car will curl your toes” says Johnston. “And when the Tarlton men do their burner pops, you will probably want to run for cover!”

Another highlight will be a special exhibition by the Benoni Heritage Vehicle and Engine Club. This enthusiastic band from the East Rand will be bringing upwards of 15 vehicles, including three Rolls Royce models from the 1920s and two Model T Fords, one of which is only partly restored. They will also be bringing a vintage tractor, a truck from the 1920s and some vintage stationary agricultural engines.

A host of Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, Corvettes and custom pick-ups will add a strong “Fast and Furious” flavour to the hall. Both the MG Club and the Triumph Club will be present, as well as the strong Volvo Club.

Classic Beetles will again be presented, from the Jo’burg VW and Beetle Club, as well as the fa-mous Eddy Rust collection, which numbers some very early pre-1954 Split Window examples.

There will also be a giant, professional level Scalextric track on hand for visitors to try their hand – or their thumbs – at this fantastic form of fantasy racing.

STORY COURTESY OF SA SHOW SERVICES