2004 High Performance Pontiac Day

Regular fans and participants of High Performance Pontiac's Show & Go at New Jersey's Old Bridge Township Raceway Park had the weather on their (and our) side this year. Scheduled during Easter weekend on Saturday, April 10, 2004, our 24th Annual HPP Day arrived with relatively overcast high 50-degree weather and zero precipitation. This meant a rather cool atmosphere for the show crowd, but HOT performance for the racers.

The proximity to a major holiday, however, also meant a sizeable number of Pontiac race and show participants were away with family, no doubt longing to be at the event. For those who couldn't make it, here are the highlights of what you missed, and for those who made the trip, thank you for your support. Now you can relive it on these pages.

Scads of old and new diehard Pontiac entries were there to try their chances at winning any one of the five race classes. Race participants from last year knew to add mufflers to their race Pontiacs because Englishtown won't allow open headers--thanks to a lot of local complaints regarding noise (unmuffled on Sunday only). Inspectors were on-hand to keep these Pontiacs on the quiet side so that New Jersey's finest (State Troopers) wouldn't have to. Maybe it was something in the air that contributed to the slower class-winning times this year. Pontiac 5 class aside, the finalist's numbers were slightly down. Regardless, each car was out there putting on a great show for the 1,000-plus spectators on-hand. Among them was yours truly soaking in some of the Northeast Pontiac fun.

The beauty of HPP Day at E-Town racing is the very diverse group of Pontiac race machines that are on hand. This year's Pontiacs spanned '61-04 and covered everything from hulking full-size RWD Catalinas and Grand Prixs to more modern FWD Grand Prixs and Grand Ams. A Yellow Jacket '04 GTO made the trek from Maryland and then made a few 12-second passes with the aid of nitrous. With the racing set-up bracket style, you could truly run what ya brung and potentially take home a trophy. Although we don't encourage this, you could theoretically bring your '89 Pontiac LeMans and clean everyone's clock with your 20-plus-second 1/4-mile e.t.'s as long as you are consistent. Again we don't encourage it but it could happen. Still, it meant everything from naturally aspirated 231 V-6s to potent 474 V-8s were at the starting line ready to go for the HPP Gold.

If the Pontiac racing action didn't pique the spectator's interest, they could do an about face and take in the masses of show cars that were entered into 1 of 13 show categories. Included in these ranks were a few former HPP feature Pontiacs. As is the fashion, many took the opportunity to pull up chairs behind their ride and kick back with friends while their Pontiacs were judged.

While perusing some of the Tri-State area's finest Ponchos, visitors could get themselves a drink, snacks, and even get a free HPP T-shirt by taking the opportunity to subscribe or renew their subscription at our omnipresent booth. A few other parts vendors were on-hand to make a few people's day by selling them just what they were looking for.

All in all, the 24th Annual HPP Day at E-Town was a very enjoyable event and I can't think of anyplace else I would have rather been. I look forward to next year's quarter-century mark event. You should too as good things are bound to be in store. The date will be announced once its confirmed.

Andrew Knapp's '67 GTO was...        read full caption Andrew Knapp's '67 GTO was the Best of Show winner. A stout Pontiac motor along with flawless paint and interior surely helped the decision.

Pontiac 1 Shades of green...        read full caption Pontiac 1Shades of green big-cube A-bodies matched up in the fastest Pontiac class. James Horton's 66 LeMans snagged the win from Pat Madej and his '68 GTO with a quick 10.79 at 120.97 run on a 10.78 dial-in.

Pontiac 2 A red-light start...        read full caption Pontiac 2A red-light start sealed the deal early for Paul Cuva and his '62 Catalina. However, Richie Hoffman's '67 Firebird would have still won with a .05 reaction time and 11.16 run on an 11.15 dial-in.

Pontiac 3 Sal Cannistraci,...        read full caption Pontiac 3Sal Cannistraci, Jr.'s supercharged '00 GTP ran a quicker time than Milton Webster's '69 'Bird, but unfortunately was over a half second from his dial-in (13.63 on a 13.0 dial-in) compared to Milton's .08 variance.

Pontiac 4 Having owned a '79...        read full caption Pontiac 4Having owned a '79 403 T/A like Joseph Kistela's, and a '90 350 Formula similar to Ed Kozinski's '91 Formula made it difficult for the author to pick a favorite. Joseph broke out, handing over the win to Ed.

Pontiac 5 Although quicker...        read full caption Pontiac 5Although quicker down the track, Ed Gartner's big and bad '76 Catalina was a bit too quick off the line, giving the win light to Sean Kelly.

Final Round Action