Sometimes numbers can tell you all you need to know.
Take, for example, the 29th Annual Auto Crusade Car Show. So for 29 years, this organization has been planning and delivering an event that the car community has eagerly supported.
That right there should tell you something.
But we wanted to experience it for ourselves, to see what makes it a yearly must-attend event for many. We know when you’re one of the longest-running car shows in the metro Atlanta area, you must have some “secret sauce” to make it work for all these years.
So we made our way to 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, Ga, to the Cumming Fairgrounds to learn, experience, and enjoy the fruits of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church’s labor.
Secret Sauce Revealed
The secret sauce for the Auto Crusade event boils down to three key ingredients: location, planning, and diversity. To start off, the Cumming Fairground handles large volumes of people routinely.
That means abundant parking, easy access to the highway, restrooms, and other on-site facilities are already there. Having a dedicated autocross course set up in a separate yet accessible area is also a considerable boon.
When it comes to planning, many organizers will tell you that planning a yearly event starts the day after the last event ends. Here, Auto Crusader has the advantage of decades worth of institutional knowledge that shows up in the small details.
Lastly, there is enough diversity of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Have small children? There was an indoor Hot Wheels event that gave out real trophies.
Do the thoughts of competitive autocrossing make you grin? Their course was electronically-timed, technical, and packed with bonafide drivers.
Were you looking for a judged, trophy-delivering car show? They had that, of course.
Live entertainment, homemade ice cream, door prizes, and a fun crowd rounded out the value proposition. Yes, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church has the secret sauce, and they know how to make it simmer to perfection for two full days.
Mr. “Ragtops & Running Boards”
It’s not uncommon to have people walking around a car show dropping event flyers and advertisements in your front seat. Chances are you wouldn’t notice Joe Hester, the owner of Ragtops & Running Boards methodically going about his business.
And honestly, that would be a real shame.
There are few who have done more to promote the automotive hobby in the Southeast than Joe. For many years, Ragtops & Running Boards has been the go-to resource to learn about upcoming car shows and events.
In a digital age, his publication comes out as it always has, on paper, and delivered to your mailbox. You’d be hard-pressed to find half as much information on upcoming car shows by using the internet and forums alone.
In this case, the publisher reflects his publication: unassuming, friendly, and chock full of useful information. You would do well to add a subscription of Ragtops & Running Boards to your list of must-haves every year.
Subscription is $25.00 per year ($45.00 for two years) payable by check to 62 Whipporwill Hollow, Summerville, GA, or by Master Card and Visa. If there are any questions, you can 706-397-9932 as well.
Fuel Injector Connection
One of the side benefits of significant events like the Auto Crusade is meeting new people in the automotive hobby. One such chance meeting this weekend was with Bob & Jon from Fuel Injector Connection.
For those who might not be aware, Fuel Injector Connection moved to Georgia in October 2007 to open its retail business. They sell a full line of new injectors and their own “Blue Demon” injectors that are perfectly flow balanced and rebuilt with Viton o-rings.
In talking with Bob, he mentioned they use state-of-the-art equipment designed to dynamically flow match injectors to 1% at pulse widths from .5 to 12ms.
They also specialize in machining to make their nozzles to strict tolerances without using a lathe. This process eliminates distortion and different flow characteristics.
Their reconditioning work and rebuilt injectors come with a three-year guarantee. If you have a question, you can reach them at 770-888-1662 or email them at [email protected].
Their address is 3482 Keith Bridge Road, Box #338, Cumming, Ga 30041. Fuel Injector Connection is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Closed Saturday & Sunday and closed daily from 12 noon to 1 pm for lunch.
On an impressive side note, Bob’s stunning 1956 Thunderbird pictured above took home the sought-after William Willingham memorial award at this event.
The Willingham’s own the local Dairy Queen and have been a major sponsor of the show for all 29 years.
Weekend Of Fun
Big smiles, healthy competition, and beautiful blue skies marked the fun 29th Annual Auto Crusade car show. This weekend was another success judging by the packed fairgrounds and the filled-to-capacity autocross areas.
In case you were wondering, all proceeds from the weekend go to fund the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Youth Group.
In the end, it was no surprise to anyone why the 29th Annual Auto Crusade drew large crowds to the Cummings Fairgrounds over the 26th & 27th of August weekend.
We can’t wait to see what this talented team has in store for their milestone 30th annual event!
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