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MISC: Stage Set for Washington D.C. Motorsports Expo

3 December 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
The capital region will host its first auto racing trade show when the Washington, D.C. Motorsports Expo opens on Friday, December 8 at the Capital Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The stage is set for the three-day celebration of racing and speed with special attractions for racing fans as well as technical seminars and a manufacturers midway for the hardcore racer.

Daily admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.

Attractions for race fans include free autograph sessions with famous race car drivers all three days. The first autograph session kicks off on Friday evening with NASCAR Winston Cup driver Dave Blaney and Indy Racing driver Mark Dismore. Both drivers will greet their fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

On Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., autograph alley will be graced by two-time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin and Indianapolis 500 rookie sensation Sarah Fisher. Joining Marlin and Fisher will be NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Randy Tolsma, Trans Am Series Red Line Oil Rookie of the Year Jeff Altenburg and newly crowned 2000 Old Dominion Speedway Late Model Champion Mark McFarland.

Kevin and Wayne Grubb, from Mechanicsville, VA, will sign autographs on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. NASCAR Winston Cup driver Robert Pressley will make his personal appearance from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Pressley's number 77 Jasper Engines Winston Cup race car will be just one of eight Winston Cup cars on display at the show.

Other Winston Cup race cars on display include Dale Earnhardt's Goodwrench number 3 as well as his special edition Tasmanian Devil car driven at Daytona. Jeff Gordon's Dupont number 24 will be there as will Jeremy Mayfield's Mobil 1 number 12 and Ricky Rudd's number 28.

Monster truck rides in the Virginia Giant monster truck from noon to 5:00 p.m. all three days will be sure to delight children of all ages. After riding in the monster truck be sure to stop by the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Thunder Tour to race side by side on the SEGA Daytona II Simulator or visit the Northern Light display where you will be able to sit in an actual Indianapolis race car. Be sure to bring a camera to have your picture taken sitting in a real race car capable of speeds over 225 miles per hour.

The manufacturers midway will feature all the latest speed equipment for road and track. Manufacturers and vendors will feature everything from safety equipment to complete race cars including a race ready Ferrari 360 direct from the Ferrari 360 Challenge Series courtesy of Ferrari of Washington.

Technical sessions for hardcore races will be held on Saturday featuring expert guest speakers. Roy Anderson, of Anderson Racing, will hold a chassis seminar at 6:00 p.m. French Grimes, coming straight from a roundtable discussion of 305 sprint cars at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis, will discuss tuning. Tim Fraker, an expert in race car graphics, will discuss the application of decals and ways to improve the appearance of your race car.

All the latest racing collectibles and memorabilia will be available just in time for the holiday shopping season. Everything on a race fan's holiday wish list will be available at the show, even that brand new Ferrari.

Text Provided By David Reininger

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.