2003 GTOAA Nationals

The answer to any GTO question that you have ever asked can be found at the annual GTOAA Nationals. Wanna know how to restore the engine compartment of your '67 with the correct finishes and markings? Gaze under the hood of a concours Gold example and find out. Do you loose points for Radial redlines in concours judging? Ask any of the myriad trained judges. What cam will get you into the 11s with your 455? Walk the pits and speak to the racers at the drag race. What was the historical significance of the introduction of the GTO in 1964? Ask a Pontiac historian, they're plenty in attendance. Yes, the list could go on forever but historically, the GTOAA Nationals provides a treasure trove of information to satisfy everyone from the most casual fan to the most devout hobbyist. Of course 2003's 24th Annual GTOAA International Meet was no different.

When over 200 GTOs converged on Columbus, Ohio, for the second time in 4 years--the GTO Association of Central Ohio hosted the 2000 event and 3 more in past as well--we all knew that we were in for a treat. The show field decorated the Holiday Inn at Worthington parking lot with a collection of Goats like no other gathering. Every conceivable iteration and/or build philosophy was displayed from concours show Goats to all-out racers, with mild to wild modifieds, survivors, drivers, and Pro Touring examples in between. If those weren't enough, for the first time the GTOAA instituted non-GTO classes for other A- and X-bodies so that T-37s GT-37s, Tempests, LeMans, LeMans GTs, and Venturas could share in the glory.

It all began on Monday, July 14 with the set up of the swap meet, opening of registration and the GTOAA officers and GTOAACO members meeting. Early arrivals could check out the chapter displays and the PMD car display, which included an '04 GTO and a few show cars and other Pontiacs from its historic collection.

By Tuesday morning, the event was picking up steam with the swap meet in the adjacent Sheraton Suites parking lot providing many of the GTO parts that are most desired by club members. The swapmeet would be open daily for the duration of the event. A Team Rahal Racing tour was available that ended up sold out! And there was a cruise to Olentangy Caverns for the family but the gearheads in the crowd were treated to the first of many seminars. This one was with Steve Schaeffer of Lancaster Auto Recycling regarding Tri-Powers.

Wednesday was the day of seminars for the show goers and meetings for club officials. Many Pontiac VIPs from the engineering, historical and racing sides were on hand at this event as well including John Sawruk, Jim Mattison, Jim Wangers, Arnie Beswick, and Milt Schornack.

Pontiac/GMC was there with the new '04 GTO and provided an overview with Pontiac marketing manager, Bob Kraut, manager of communications, Jim Hopson, and engineer/historian, John Sawruk. And then there was an open discussion forum with the large audience that also included GTOAA president, Bill Markowski and Jim Wangers, both of whom had recently driven the GTO. The Q&A was insightful and at times turned into a debate regarding the car's styling, its origin, its target market and whether or not it would live up to its ancestors.

Thursday was the day that we had all been eagerly anticipating. It was put up or shut up time for about 80 concours and 120 popular vote GTOs (including 5 Tempests/LeMans') as judging by the pros in concours ran from 8:30 a.m. to the mid-afternoon and judging by piers in popular vote was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Little GTOs in the model contest were judged as well. The parking lot was buzzing with activity as early a 6:30 a.m. with many participants performing last-minute detailing duties prior to inspection. By late afternoon the pressure subsided and the day wound down with valve cover races and a parking lot party that extended into the wee hours of the night.

On Friday, gears were shifted toward and on the drag strip where a small but dedicated group of Pontiac hobbyists tried their luck or further honed their skills on the National Trail Raceway 1320. Along with the drag racing mayhem, was a burnout contest that filled the starting line with smoke and the crowd with cheers as a select group competed in 2 classes, line-lock or not, to win cash or prizes. One unlucky sole ignited his clutch during the event but the small flames were quelled and the contest continued without incident. The shame of it was that it was a new clutch!

Of course Arnie Beswick was on hand to make some half-track burnouts and blistering quarter-mile passes in his '64 Tameless Tiger race car against the bag boys and their Grocery Getter. This, very shortly before the fire at another venue would sideline Beswick for the remainder of the season.

For those not drag race inclined, there was a road Rally to run for fun on Friday as well. And finally the awards ceremony capped off the event and brought justification to all of the participants who had worked so hard to prepare, build and display their GTOs by winning an award.

With the 2003 event concluding, eyes turned toward the 2004 event, which was promoted during the 2004 GTO seminar. Michigan will be "Where the Legend Returns" in 2004. Yes, at the birthplace of the original GTO, Pontiac, Michigan, the Woodward Ave Tigers will host the 2004 GTOAA Nats. The event will celebrate not only 25 years of the GTOAA but also the 40th Anniversary of the '64 Pontiac GTO. And the GTOAA is encouraging owners of the 2004 Pontiac GTO to attend the 2004 meet, which will run from July 14-20, 2004. For more info on next year's GTO Nats, or about the GTOAA, check out www.gtoaa.org.