For the past 24 years, the Midwest has hosted one of the country's largest, non-national Pontiac gatherings. Centrally located around Omaha, Nebraska, this show has seen great success due in part to its strong participant base and the hardworking members of the co-hosting clubs-the local area Pontiac Owners Association and Nebraskaland chapter of POCI. The two-day event had previously been held solely at the Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall, located roughly 10 miles west of Omaha on Interstate 80 in Gretna, Nebraska, but the 24th Annual Pontiac, GMC, and Oakland Show held on August 26-27, 2006 incorporated a new twist to draw in even greater participation.
Rest assured that for its silver anniversary the co-hosting clubs are working hard to make the 25th Annual Pontiac, GMC, and Oakland show and 2nd Annual Pontiac Challenge drag race on August 25-26, 2007 nothing short of spectacular. For further information, contact Joe Dyrda at (402) 289-3620, or visit the Web site at http://www.geocities.com/poay2k/POA.html.
In years past, the show-site was bustling with weekend activities, including Saturday's swap meet and car corral, general show set-up, an evening social gathering, and Sunday's show. The 24th Annual event, however, was split between two locations and offered a couple of different venues for hobbyist participation. While the show remained at its familiar location on Sunday, Saturday's activities included the 1st Annual Pontiac Challenge drag race on the Rolling Thunder Drag Strip at the Mid America Motorplex in Pacific Junction, Iowa.
A highlight of the 24th Annual Pontiac, GMC, and Oakland Show was the 1st Annual Pontiac Challenge drag race held at the Mid America Motorplex in Pacific Junction, Iowa. To promote greater participation, the fledgling event was opened to local Oldsmobile and Buick owners as well.
Though weather threatened Saturday's drag race activities, the day started early; the gates opened at 8 a.m., with the typical dragstrip formalities of registration, driver's meeting, and time trials occurring shortly thereafter. Track manager Jim Howe and his crew worked diligently to prepare and maintain the 1/8-mile track's surface for the eliminations that soon followed. Nearly 60 participants in six different classes battled for roughly $5,000 in cash and prizes.
Sunday started off dreary with heavy overcast skies, but show enthusiasm ran as high as ever. Even with late-day showers forecasted, a number of beautiful Pontiacs gathered at the show site for registration and tech before the gates opened. At registrations' close, a total of 230 show entries, 11 car-corral entries, and 24 swap meet vendors were on hand. Participants ventured in from 11 different states, including Texas and California, and the vehicles on display included some of the most highly desirable Pontiac models ever produced.
The show again proved to be a great success. In addition to the fine selection of vehicles for viewing, a few Pontiac notables also made the trek. Hobbyist and author Jim Hand, engine builder Jeff Kauffman of KRE, and Quadrajet tuning guru and author Cliff Ruggles spent much of the day visiting with hobbyists and answering technical questions. As often said, however, weather can ruin even the best-made plans. Intermittent showers that turned into steady afternoon rain sent owners scurrying to close hoods, deck lids, and windows, or load their prized possession onto the trailer, causing an early ending to an otherwise great day.
No matter what Mother Nature had in store for the 1st Annual Pontiac Challenge drag race and 24th Annual Pontiac, GMC, and Oakland show, few will argue that the weekend wasn't successful. At one time, the show attracted the area's nicest Pontiacs, but the entire event is now drawing strong attendance from across the country, and some very fast and very rare Pontiacs to boot.
Track manager Jim Howe had the surface of his 1/8-mile track well prepped for serious competition. Howe and staff are looking forward to hosting the 2nd Annual Pontiac Challenge event on August 25, 2007. | 
Just weeks after taking top honors in the electronics class with a run of 5.62 at 122.9 mph, and finishing as runner-up in the BOP Quick 16 with his '99 Firebird, Pawnee, Nebraska-resident Eric Klepper was tragically killed in a work-related accident. Both co-hosting clubs offer their sincerest condolences to his family. |
Mike Chamberlin of Blair, Nebraska, claimed the trophy in the Ram Air class with a 7.71 at 86 mph pass in his '86 Grand Prix, which is dressed as an Omaha Police Department patrol car. Look for a full feature on this officer's racecar in an upcoming issue. | |