Motorheads Performance Attends Snap-On Event

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Guy and I actually took the opportunity to attend the Snap On event at the San Anontio Raceway on Saturday. Deciding to swap our regular Motorheads Performance hours last Saturday and put in hours on Sunday instead, we had a lot of fun visiting with the racing participants and friends at the Snap-On tents at strip-side!

Excellent barbeque and drinks were flowing as the temperatures soared above 100 degrees. The heat seemed to keep the crowds at bay quite a bit, and many were seeking shelter from the blazing hot temperatures by sitting under the bleachers where a good deal of congregating took place! Still, there was a good showing of racers. Everything from street cars and trucks to classic cars, muscle cars, dragsters, and pro street racers. Tents were plentiful, with most racers trying to keep the sun from heating up components any more than necessary. Fans, ice packs, and just about every trick in the book was at least a big topic of discussion among most of the racers.

We got to catch up with friends on both sides of the track. All of the racers had a story to tell, and there were some interesting things happening under the hoods which we enjoyed talking about with the owners. There seemed to be a lot of "friendly" competition racing as friends raced and rooted for each other as the elimination rounds dwindled down the field. A fun time for all.

This great event usually takes place earlier in the year (usually March or April), but due to scheduling conflicts, it was forced into June. The great Snap-On Tools dealers put on a great spread of free food and drinks, and we sure look forward to next year's event!  Hope you join in.

Here are just some of the fine cars we were watching:

 

 Great purple!

 

 The rear engine

dragster was a

real treat

 

  

 

We loved

  these Mopars

 

 

There was

something

for

everyone

to enjoy

All in all

a great time!



Heat Affects Texas Classic Car Enthusiasts!

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Our recent heat wave has seemed to put a damper on activities for some classic car drivers, especially those without air conditioning! With temperatures in the triple digits all week, we're hearing that many have put off weekend cruises or driving plans as well as plans for working on projects. We noticed it too last weekend at the San Antonio Raceway's event sponsored by Snap-On Tools. Both attendance and participation was much lighter than in previous years. With temperatures hovering around the 105 degree mark, it is no wonder that all but the true enthusiasts are preferring their late model rides or staying indoors!

We're still going strong - even without A/C in the shop!  It does help that we're accustomed to working in the heat, but we do caution those who don't spend so much time outside, or go back and forth between A/C and short bursts outside. Guy Algar, shop manager, has had a couple of visitors recently who told stories of feeling overcome by the heat when recently attempting to work on their classic car or classic truck. We are concerned for those enthusiasts who may not be so acclimated to the heat, and offer important information in our article Working Safely in Extreme Heat - Summer Temperatures Can Be Dangerous or visit our sister site Hot Roddin' Texas Style.

Hard Times Hit Home For A Motorheads' Customer

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Sometimes bad things happen to nice people. As a matter of fact, I often find myself thinking that more often than not, it seems to always be the nicest of people that are hit with hard times.

Several years ago, we had a nice gentleman (we'll call him "Joe" to protect his privacy) ship his car from us from Las Vegas after we'd had several discussions about his classic truck. Options were looked at and just as the project plan was coming together disaster struck. We had to put the project on hold. The Las Vegas economy seemed to collapse overnight and our customer found himself without a job. Not only that, but Joe's wife lost her job as well, and they were soon forced to relocate to another distant state.

Just this weekend, we heard from Joe and he described that hard times for his family meant losing it all. Job, home, personal belongings...everything. He was certain that he probably lost his classic truck as well. Imagine his surprise and delight that we still had his truck, protected and safe, awaiting word when things finally took a turn for the better!  While the restoration plans will need to be drastically scaled down, we look forward to reuniting Joe and his wife (who despite the odds have stood by each other through this traumatic ordeal) with his dream car in the near future. Plans will begin for getting it running smoothly again - the paint and restoration work will be done at a later time, as Joe wants to enjoy the simple pleasure of driving his dream!

Owning a classic car or truck that requires restoration of any kind - whether engine restoration or a partial to complete body restoration - requires some forethought of potential pitfalls that seem to take us wildly off course. Classic car restoration costs can be great. We try to warn customers that if they are planning on major life changes (especially getting married, purchasing a new home, or having children), that they should make sure that the savings coffers are full before starting. It is extremely difficult to follow through with expenses that can span over the course of a year or two, and these types of events often change a person's priorities in life.

If you would like to make a contribution to Joe's restoration, which would allow Joe to complete a bit more work on his truck, please send Motorheads Performance an e-mail. We would be happy to apply any size donation to the cost of getting his dream truck up and going again. As a matter of fact, we'll donate an hour of free labor for Joe's project for every $500 received!

Motorheads Performance "Student" Graduates!

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

We're gratified that our customers tend to become great friends. A father-son team who are involved in our Coaching Program just celebrated a milestone with the son graduating high school with plans and acceptance into college this Fall. We were so pleased to be included in the graduation celebration!

Working together under the guidance and instruction from Guy Algar, father and son have been working on a muscle car project - their 1968 Pontiac GTO. The son has plans to become a Mechanical Engineer, and undoubtedly the experiences he has had at Motorheads Performance will provide interesting classroom stories! Guy and I are proud of his accomplishments, and are pleased to pass on classic car knowledge to a new generation of potential "motorheads"!