It's a simple concept, which few clubs (let alone sanctioning organizations) seem to grasp--namely, have an event which includes a full day of drag racing, followed by both an indoor concours and outdoor show and shine competition based strictly on fun. That's right. No fancy trophies. No complicated points system. No outlandish entry fee.
That's the Yenko Sports Car Club's "Supercar Reunion" personified. And dig this. The event is open to all makes and models of vintage and contemporary muscle cars, including COPOs, Baldwin-Motion vehicles, Fred Gibb, Nickey and Berger Chevrolet products.
According to Supercar Reunion event organizer Tom Clary, "We welcome all makes and models of muscle cars, old and new." Edition 11 was held at Gateway International Raceway (Collinsville, Illinois, just outside St. Louis) on Friday, August 29, and the nearby Gateway Center in Collinsville, Illinois, the following day.
Event sponsors at SCR XI included MK Insurance, Nickey Chicago, the Super Car Workshop, Vintage Muscle Car Parts, D&R Classic Automotive, and Colin's Classic Automobiles.
Trackside, over 100 cars showed up for time trials. Standout cars included Kim Howie's ex-Dick Harrell/Fred Gibb Chevrolet '70 1/2 Camaro Pro Stocker, SYC Race Director Rob Clary's '69 Yenko 427 Camaro SC, officially the quickest and fastest Pure Stock Yenko in the country (as certified by the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags), Ken Barnhart's original owner '69 ZL1 Camaro, Tom Clary's ex-Bob Hamilton SS/DA SS454/LS6 Chevelle known as "Red Alert," Dru Diesner and Pete Gerling's 10-second Yenkos, Jeff Morocco's Jack Douglass Chevelle, and a ton of others.
On the car show side, 51 vintage GM muscle cars were entered in the air conditioned indoor concourse, and another 35 of the General's finest were entered in the Gateway Camaro Club-hosted outdoor show and shine.
Standouts included Tom Kusmiesz's '69 Fred Gibb 427 Nova, Brian Henderson's Cadillac Firemist '69 Yenko Nova SS396 (1 of 1), Annie Hartweg's '68 Fred Gibb COPO SS396 Nova, Ken Schoenthaler's '70 LT1 Yenko Deuce, Jamie James' '68 Motion Corvette, Ken Tibor's '66 427 Biscayne four-speed, Mark Hassett's '69 ZL1 Camaro and a slew of others.
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 The battle of the 409s began...  The battle of the 409s began early with Chuck Wilkinson (red car) going up against his father, Scott Wilkinson, in the blue. The two battled each other throughout the entire event recording a best of 13.80/99 for Chuck and 14.00/100 for dad. Both cars hail from the St. Louis-based Wilkinson's Classic Chevy's. |
 Ashtabula, Ohio's Mark Hassett...  Ashtabula, Ohio's Mark Hassett Jr. boils the hides in his Fathom Green '69 Yenko 427 Camaro SC street car, which recorded a best of 12.80 at 110. |
 Last year's winner, Mike Ayers...  Last year's winner, Mike Ayers (Olds 442), goes up against Dan Hayes' Motion Corvette, which ran a best of 13.20-102.00. |
 Les Quam's '70 Baldwin-Motion...  Les Quam's '70 Baldwin-Motion Camaro SS454 goes up against Phil Borris '70 COPO "just for fun." |