Lone Star Mopar Fest was a Mopar Feast
The Space City LX CLub pulled out all the stops for Lone Star Mopar Fest 2011: it really was a feast, and a little slice of heaven, for any fan of Mopar muscle. The sights, sounds and even the scents all combined for a memorable day.
The event was held last Saturday at the Lonestar Motorsports Park in Sealy, Texas, about 60 miles west of downtown Houston. The day started cool but soon warmed up and temperatures were in the high 80s in the shade but most likely over 90 degrees out in the sun where all the action was.
There were more than 250 cars at the event, with lots of Chrysler and Dodge LX cars and more than a few Jeep Grand Cherokees sharing display space with some very choice examples of classic Chrysler engineering and some outstanding owner modding.
There were some fine examples of highly personalized Chrysler 300s, Dodge Challengers and Dodge Chargers, too. They might have been short on bolt-on “bling” but they were definitely long on style and class.
I was fortunate to spend a little time with “Dr. Al” Sheldon, owner of the Black Widow Charger. Formerly known as “DarthCharger,” the car sports a striking red-and-black paint job, black widow graphics, darkened side marker lights with spider cutouts, and a matching red-and-black interior with spider stitching on the front seat backrests.
Bill “Slim Shady” Denton of Allen Samuels Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, was at the event, putting down some respectable runs in a new all-black Charger. Allen Samuels is the dealership that hosted the SRT Tour’s stop last Thursday and is one of the sponsors of Lone Star Mopar Fest.
The gang from the SRT Tour was at Mopar Fest, as well, having delayed their trip to San Antonio. There weren’t any test drives on Saturday but there was always a good crowd at their booth.
Oracle Lighting Technology also had a display including a towering Ram pickup with a lift kit and enough lights that it probably looks like a UFO at night. Oracle’s Halo CCFL lighting is a popular conversion among Space City LX members.
It wasn’t all about show; more than 100 owners pitted their rides against the timer on the Lonestar Motorsports’ quarter-mile and a short autocross track. The air trackside quickly became filled with the scent of burning rubber as drivers got their tires ready for a quick launch. There were a few solo runs but two-cars races were the rule for most of the day. It was like music as HEMI rumbles turned to howls when the green light flashed and the R/Ts and SRTs raced down the track.
It was a real eye-opener to watch the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s tear down the track. Their owners posted some very respectable times and even won a couple of the heats.
A special treat and a real blast from the past were a 1964 Plymouth Fury and an 1965 Barracuda that were most definitely not factory stock. There was no mistaking the awesome sound, even at idle. I know it wasn’t Roger Lindamood’s car, but when the Fury launched, “Color Me Gone” ran through my mind. It was beautiful.
In a first, not only for Space City LX, but for the Lonestar Motorsports Park, as well, there was a wedding at the quarter-mile’s starting line. Mark Burnett of DeRidder, Louisiana, and Belinda Mayo of Atlanta tied the knot in an rather interesting ceremony officiated by Mark’s younger sister, known only as “Kritter.” After the kiss, Mr. and Mrs. Burnett climbed into s silver Challenger and took off down the strip, accompanied by an entourage of Challengers from Mark’s regular club.
In the afternoon, the action moved to the return track from the drag strip, which had been transformed into a short autocross with a couple of turns and a slalom. There were some dandy drifts and a track marshal was kept busy resetting the cones.
One of the best things about the event is that it went off without any real problems. At least none I saw; I don’t think I’ve ever seen Johnny Bee look so harried, though. Credit a lot of good prep work by Johnny, Rob David, Mark Hecht and all the Space City LX volunteers who made it possible for hundreds of people to enjoy a really great day.
