americarna 2010

This years Americarna was undoubtedly the most exiting and rewarding for Junior's Kustom Rides. Before Mark and Sue had even arrived at New plymouth in John Rae's 32 Roadster, we were fixing a roadster from nelson that had an unfortunate accident unloading off the ferry. We had the vehicle fixed and back up and running within a few hours and they were on there way to Americarna. As soon as Junior an Sue arrived, they heard that the team at Kustom Rides had made a fast and proffesional repair on a vehicle destined for Americarna and were praised all week for the crews efforts.

As many of you know, the 'car crazy king' Barry Meguiar had been flown to Americarna from the States along with a full film crew to capture one of New Zealands biggest and best Hot Rodding events. With Mark and Sue having the pleasure of taking John's roadster for the trip up north, it opened a huge opportunity for them and before long Junior was all wired up, there were cameras rigged in the Roadster and alongside Junior was Barry Meguiar riding shotgun for one of the day cruises to Hawera.

Mark and Sue also took something a little special for John Rae, an airbrushed photo-realistic rendition of the Roadster by our own award winning Kurt Goodin which they presented to John at Eagle Automotive. The Meguiars Team were blown away by the artwork and wanted to know if they could meet Kurt and do an interview with him for the Meguiars Car Crazy TV show. Sue then made a phone call to the Kustom Rides head quarters and explained to kurt what sort of opportunity had arisen and that he was wanted on saturday for an interview. Kurt and his partner Bronia packed up their necessities and headed to New Plymouth Friday afternoon.

They arrived in time for the famous friday nite Cruise where they met up with Junior and Sue and went for a few laps in the Roadster with Mark, who had already copmleted 15 or so laps through the City Centre in the Roadster. Come Saturday it was the Country Fair and Car Display which was strictly buisness for Kustom Rides. Meguiars and Smits Group wanted Kurt's award winning painting that he'd brought up with him on their display stand and Kurt was then wired up for sound and began his interview with Barry Meguiar for Car Crazy TV.

Saturday evening started with a huge dinner and then it was time for the entrant only 'DOO' where they gave away the Americarna Galaxie. There were speeches, bands, dancing, more than enough alcohol and a chance to enterupt Cliff Richard's concert with the Eagle Automive NITRO, top fuel powered 'margarita maker' which rattled everybodys rib cages, threw flames out the zoomies and produced some fine margaritas.For Junior and Sue (and John Rae) the sat night 'doo' turned into 5am Sunday morning which gave them a few hours sleep before a farewell lunch for the meguiars team which was held at John Rae's.

The Meguiars team worked from 7-7 most days and the effort they put into catching as much action as they could was amazing. A big thanks to Barry and the Team for giving Junior, Sue and Kurt the opportunity that they did. Also a BIG thanks to John Rae for putting on an event of this proportion. It takes someone very dedicated and passionate about what they love to Organise over 700 cars, give thousands of people something too be part of and to make it all run like clockwork. Its an event we will never miss.