$50 fee splits hot rod fans

The event has pumped $10 million into the local economy during each of the last 10 years, a promoter says.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- Bob Schmalz's 1936 Ford Sedan most likely won't be next to Bill Dugan's 1949 Mercury Chop Coupe at the 24th Annual Hot Rod Super Nationals at the Canfield Fairgrounds in May.
Instead, Schmalz of Poland said he'll probably be taking his car to an event that doesn't have the Super Nationals' $50 pre-registration fee.
"For that kind of money, there's a lot of other things I can do," he said, adding that he'll probably take his car to a race.
Meanwhile, Dugan of Boardman said he's looking forward to having his coupe in the Super Nationals.
"It could be a real event," he said. "I think it's a nice show."
Dugan and Schmalz were among the local car owners who attended Tuesday's press conference for the Super Nationals, to be held May 31 through June 2. The event is expected to draw as many as 5,000 hot rods, about double the number of vehicles that were on display on the fairgrounds last year.
About 3,000 of the vehicles will be part of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour, which starts in Lincoln, Neb., and ends at the fairgrounds. The rest of the cars will be those that typically participate in the Super Nationals each year.
This is the first year that the producers of the Power Tour and the Super Nationals are working together on those events.
Mixed reaction: The car owners at the press conference had a mixed reaction when asked about the Super Nationals. Both Dugan and Pete Nittoli of Youngstown said they think the event will have a positive effect on the Mahoning Valley.
"I feel it's really good for this area," said Nittoli, who owns a 1987 Chevy S10.
Doc Riley, a spokesman for The Promotion Co. Inc., which produces the Super Nationals, said the event has pumped $10 million into the local economy during each of the last 10 years. The Super Nationals have been held at the fairgrounds for the last 14 years.
Greg Fye of New Waterford noted that until two years ago, the Youngstown Ride and Custom car club helped play host to the event. Fye is the treasurer and Schmalz is the secretary for Youngstown Ride and Custom.
Split: Fye said the club split with the Super Nationals because of a disagreement over the future of the event.
"We were told in the past that there were going to be improvements and it didn't happen," he said. Fye said the club had asked The Promotion Co. to lower the entrance fee and add more vendors.
C. Bruce Hubley, president and CEO of The Promotion Co., noted that the $50 fee allows car owners to participate in the seven-city Power Tour as well as the Super Nationals.
"It literally gets you into the Hot Rod Super Nationals for free," he said. "That's a two-for-one deal if you've ever heard it."
Surprised: After the press conference, Fye said he was pleasantly surprised by what The Promotion Co. and Hot Rod magazine have done to improve the event. He noted that a Promotion Co. spokesman said several vendors will be on hand for this year's Super Nationals.
"He's got a good shot at turning this around," Fye said, adding, "Bringing a magazine [like Hot Rod] back is going to help. Now you've got some national coverage."
He also cautioned, however: "I'm still going to have to see it to believe it."
hill@vindy.com