Frigid 2003 Pontiac Fall Nationals

The '03 Pontiac Fall Nationals, held in Atco, New Jersey, this past November, turned out to be the biggest one yet. But it shouldn't have been. The weather was not only cold, but the wind was downright nasty.

In other words, the racing was limited to an eighth-mile jaunt for obvious safety reasons. The racing portion was also hampered by the fact that a rained-out gambler race was scheduled for the very same day, but that will not happen in 2004. Nevetheless, 176 racers and 137 show cars attended, an increase of 80 for 2003.

Perhaps the event has grown because our tribe of followers can witness history, like Jack Gaydosh and Scott Rex's running 8-flat in the quarter (before the eighth-mile restriction was in place) side by side on all motor! Maybe the show gets better because only Pontiac-powered cars can compete in the Spotts Performance race program, so the true Pontiac fans and spectators don't have to guess if a Chevy is under the hood. Maybe people came because this year BOP Engineering sponsored a Quick 16 race with $1,400 in cash to win. Or was it the awesome surface and track prep of Atco Raceway and the fantastic photos of Dave Milcarek and Bob Axtman, on the pages before you? Maybe people came back for the die-hard folks of the Delaware Valley Old Goat Club who put on a show that, combined with the racing, has become the largest East Coast Pontiac event. For whatever reasons, Pontiac fans do return each year to the Pontiac Fall Nationals.

Speaking of a car show, what a great one it was. Every year something cool or interesting shows up. For you older Pontiac hobbyists who remember the now-defunct Bob's Pontiac Parts 455 H.O. four-speed '65 Tempest wagon that once graced the pages of HPP, it showed up for sale. Wayne Garrison of Maryland gave it the proper look over and purchased it.

In other show news, it was great to see the show cars back on the same side of the pits to keep both sides of the event within walking distance. What didn't change from the previous year was another Firebird's winning Best of Show and that honor went to Gary Stavac with his super clean '67 Firebird hardtop. Kyle Lentz of Oconamowoc, Wisconsin, brought home the Long Distance Award in the show area. Too bad there wasn't a long distance award for the racers, as John Welter of Iowa--yes, Iowa--decided to trailer his super cool Trans Am to the Pontiac Fall Nationals. Jersey guys looked at John as if he were from another planet--forgetaboutit--but John made the trip worth the effort and won the Quick 16 cash, the Edelbrock Victor from Hansen Racing, and more.

The usual sponsors, HIGH PERFORMANCE PONTIAC, Comp Cams, Dynamic Converters, Performance Years, Perceys Pontiac Parts, and Burns Pontiac GMC donated their wares, while new sponsors Ames Performance and Tim Benko--the "Line Man"--pitched in and helped out as well. Indian Adventures donated an Eagle crank and the Outlaw Pontiac Racers Association donated the monster trophy for the fastest e.t. For the second year in a row, Jim Yanowski took it home. Each year the race cars out-number the show cars, but next year, better temps could change that scenario.

How many people stay home because of the weather? There are many, but the prayer to move the event up to a warmer day has been answered. Atco has stepped up for 2004, and not only will the racers have some serious money to win, the best news of all is the new date of September 12, 2004. Be sure to mark your calendar. For more info, contact Tom Szymczyk at (856) 439-0314, Dick Rudley at (856) 767-3682, or visit www.atcorace.com.