2006 Americruise Tour and Car Show- R&C Returns to Lincoln

The Americruise has taken some licks the last few years. In the past, being moved at what seemed like the last minute didn't give people enough time to plan vacations to make the event. It was even reduced to just a driving event that ended at another event for two years. Well, this year we got it off and running again with enough time to promote and plan a better event. After spending the weekend in Lincoln, it's safe to say the Americruise is off to another good start.

The Nebraska State Fairgrounds was packed with hot rods, customs, street rods, classic trucks, musclecars, and just about any other massaged pre-'72 car of which you could think. The weather held out, although it was hot just like the rest of the country, but thankfully there are plenty of shade trees on the grounds.

We set up our driving events, and after a slow start, we got a few curious rodders out on the courses. After a few passes, most of the adventurous ones were hooked and kept coming back for more. Thankfully we're not aware of any breakage, but then again we had the course set up pretty tight to help keep spends down.

The two new awards we were handing out (Rod of the Year and Custom of the Year) brought out some stunning examples that filled the special parking area and gave the staff plenty to mull over when it came time to narrow it down to just five in each class. On Saturday, the spectators were treated to the action as these 10 hot rods and customs showed that they were more than just rolling art. Some of the owners pushed their cars harder than others, but each one walked away with a little better appreciation of what their car could do.

We're already starting to plan next year's event, but we're still finalizing a date, so stay tuned. Now all the R&C staff needs to do is to try to get some time away from the office and spend some time in the garage getting a couple rides ready to make the trip.