Long Hauler on the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour Has Big Rush on NASCAR track
- Jun 26, 2009
The 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour began with light occasional drizzle in Madison, Wisconsin at the Alliant Energy Center. The seven-day, seven-city tour is considered one of the best automotive tours in the world by many enthusiasts. It is also a passion for Bob Proulx.
Bob Proulx and Larry Holmes with K&N display on the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour
2009 Hot Rod Power Tour cars line up at a stop on the seven day trek
The St. Louis Missouri engineer has participated in the Hot Rod Power Tour since 2001. He enjoys the various hot rods and meets other car people. “One of the great things for me on this trip was to secure two tickets at the Great Lakes Drag Strip in the Painless Performance Air Ride Technologies Autocross Challenge,” said Proulx. “I made two passes in my 1994 Firebird on the drag strip and it was really great.”
Hot Rod Power Tour driver Bob Proulx took his Firebird for five laps around the NASCAR short track on the Bristol Motor Speedway
1994 Pontiac Firebird with K&N products on the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour
The next leg of the trip was in South Bend, Indiana where Proulx and the others on the tour watched collectable and vintage automobiles rumble through the streets.
On the way to Mt. Clemens, Michigan Proulx encountered car problems. “My alternator gauge was acting funny and there was a burning smell along with an ugly noise,” said Proulx. “I opened the hood and my alternator was burning up. I caught it in time. There was no damage to my car and I was able to find another alternator with the help of a flat bed driver.”
Proulx said the high point of tour was driving his 1994 Pontiac Firebird for five laps around Bristol Motor Speedway’s NASCAR short track. “It was amazing to be driving on the same banked corners as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. We followed a pace car in groups of ten but were not allowed to pass. I got up to 80 mph and ran the bottom and top of the track. It was the biggest adrenalin rush that I had in a long time.”
Proulx completed the trip with drivers from all over the world. “I averaged 21 miles per gallon for the entire Hot Rod Power Tour,” said Proulx. “One of the things I can attribute this to is my K&N air filter. With K&N my car breathes better and I get additional performance.”
Proulx plans to attend the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour.
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
Bob Proulx and Larry Holmes with K&N display on the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour
2009 Hot Rod Power Tour cars line up at a stop on the seven day trek
Hot Rod Power Tour driver Bob Proulx took his Firebird for five laps around the NASCAR short track on the Bristol Motor Speedway
1994 Pontiac Firebird with K&N products on the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour
The next leg of the trip was in South Bend, Indiana where Proulx and the others on the tour watched collectable and vintage automobiles rumble through the streets.
On the way to Mt. Clemens, Michigan Proulx encountered car problems. “My alternator gauge was acting funny and there was a burning smell along with an ugly noise,” said Proulx. “I opened the hood and my alternator was burning up. I caught it in time. There was no damage to my car and I was able to find another alternator with the help of a flat bed driver.”
Proulx said the high point of tour was driving his 1994 Pontiac Firebird for five laps around Bristol Motor Speedway’s NASCAR short track. “It was amazing to be driving on the same banked corners as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. We followed a pace car in groups of ten but were not allowed to pass. I got up to 80 mph and ran the bottom and top of the track. It was the biggest adrenalin rush that I had in a long time.”
Proulx completed the trip with drivers from all over the world. “I averaged 21 miles per gallon for the entire Hot Rod Power Tour,” said Proulx. “One of the things I can attribute this to is my K&N air filter. With K&N my car breathes better and I get additional performance.”
Proulx plans to attend the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour.
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
