The 2nd annual Holley LS Fest - Sophomore Success

Sucp 1206 000 2Nd Annual Holley Ls Fest Sophmore Success

Sometimes after a huge inaugural event, the hype isn't quite as big, and the buzz isn't quite as strong, but the 2011 Holley LS Fest proved once and for all the LS family of engines will ultimately be the king of all Chevy powerplants. An enormous field of competitors flooded Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for three days of excitement.

If your car handles turns like a champ, the autocross gave you a chance to flex your muscle, while the dragstrip and Super Chevy Dyno Challenge provided thrills for the folks interested in all-out power. No matter your preference, there were plenty of ways to have fun in an LS-equipped vehicle. Undoubtedly bigger than the previous event, the 2011 Holley LS Fest, held September 9-11, gave us multiple wow moments and lots of cool stuff to watch.

Obviously, a great deal of late-model muscle cars competed at the LS Fest, but engine-swapped cars were also a huge part of the field. And while we're focusing on mostly classic Chevys here, there were a few interesting engine-swapped imports in attendance, including nearly a dozen drifting cars, which put on an awesome show for the spectators and fellow racers. Every day of the event featured a cruise, which gave participants points toward a final weekend score. The more events you compete in, the more points you received, so it was no surprise to see Kyle Tucker in the Detroit Speed second-generation Camaro dominate the overall points with his extremely dependable and versatile '70 Camaro. DSE also had its first-generation '69 Camaro Test Car and its '63 Chevy II on hand.

Other vendor-built cars competed in the autocross, countryside cruises, drag racing, and the speed stop challenge. All of the big names were represented, so it was great to see them go head-to-head in a variety of competitions. The show-and-shine had a number of cars, but most vehicles in attendance participated in one or more of the competitions.

Detroit Speed had three of its cars on hand to compete in the various competitions. Here, the Chevy II makes a pass on the dragstrip, getting the holeshot on a late-model Trans Am.
Detroit Speed had three of its cars on hand to compete in the various competitions. Here,
Being the title sponsor of the LS Fest, as well as the Bowling Green hometown heroes, Holley is well represented with several awesome LS-powered machines. Several of the vehicles competed in the autocross, drag racing, and speed stop activities.
Being the title sponsor of the LS Fest, as well as the Bowling Green hometown heroes, Holl
Competing in the All Motor class, Robert Strong (with his '87 Monte Carlo) put on a great show of the high-revving variety. The All Motor LSX cars really scream, running well into the 8s in the quarter-mile.
Competing in the All Motor class, Robert Strong (with his '87 Monte Carlo) put on a great

All weekend long, the Super Chevy Dyno Challenge allowed all participants in the LS Fest to run their vehicles free of charge. This first-generation Corvette makes a pull and looks good doing it!
All weekend long, the Super Chevy Dyno Challenge allowed all participants in the LS Fest t
While we're on the subject of Mark Greenisen's Chevy II and wild rides, check out this high-speed slide he encountered on the autocross course. The car was out of shape in the long straightaway, and things didn't get any better when he went into the hard left-hander. As it turns out, a donut in the middle of your run isn't the fastest way around the course.
While we're on the subject of Mark Greenisen's Chevy II and wild rides, check out this hig
Making the trip up from Maryville, Tennessee, Greg Abbott piloted this satin-finished '55 Chevy, which sits low over a set of American Racing 200S wheels. The 210 two-door post didn't compete in any of the racing activities, but it sure looked cool!
Making the trip up from Maryville, Tennessee, Greg Abbott piloted this satin-finished '55

The coolest sleeper of the event (in our opinion) was Bervil Hillis' Silverado. The long-wheelbase platform, toolboxes, and stock stance made it look like a worn-out work truck, but a turbocharged LS engine gave it the motivation to run deep into the 11s.
The coolest sleeper of the event (in our opinion) was Bervil Hillis' Silverado. The long-w
Kurt Anderson ran his high-flying '69 Camaro in the LSX Rumble class and gave the crowd a thrill every time he left the line. Huge wheelstands and quick elapsed times made this super-slick '69 Camaro a fan favorite.
Kurt Anderson ran his high-flying '69 Camaro in the LSX Rumble class and gave the crowd a
If you think something looks a bit funny in this photo, then you'd be right. Mark Greenisen's beautiful '67 Chevy II is moving very quickly, but all four wheels are at a standstill. Mark slid for quite a ways during the Speed Stop Challenge held on Friday.
If you think something looks a bit funny in this photo, then you'd be right. Mark Greenise

Kyle Tucker took home the Grand Champion trophy for his valiant effort. He competed in all of the event's competitions and rack up the most points in the process. The well-equipped F-body handled the autocross course, dragstrip, Speed Stop Challenge, and the daily cruises with ease.
Kyle Tucker took home the Grand Champion trophy for his valiant effort. He competed in all
Powered by an LS7 making 596 hp at the rear wheels, Jeff Cleary's '67 Corvette was a strong performer on the dragstrip, running deep into the 10s, but had a scary moment during the Speed Stop Challenge on Friday. All four wheels locked up in the braking zone, sending Jeff sliding sideways well past the cones.
Powered by an LS7 making 596 hp at the rear wheels, Jeff Cleary's '67 Corvette was a stron
Battling front wheel and tire problems, Brian Finch still managed to finish second in the overall points for the weekend at the Holley LS Fest. His second-generation Camaro makes great power and he really knows how to handle an autocross course, so he's always one to watch.
Battling front wheel and tire problems, Brian Finch still managed to finish second in the

Roger Minyard's Chevy II has gone through several phases in the past few years, from a mild street cruiser to the wild machine seen here. Powered by an LS9, it is a killer machine. See page 30 for the full story on this car.
Roger Minyard's Chevy II has gone through several phases in the past few years, from a mil
Without question, the dragstrip was the place to see the most variety. In the near lane, a nostalgically-styled '57 sedan faces off against the DSE second-gen. The '57 is definitely better suited for drag racing, but Kyle Tucker held his own with an e.t. of 11.82.
Without question, the dragstrip was the place to see the most variety. In the near lane, a
Slathered in a slick coating of bright red, Shay Campbell's '69 Camaro stood out in the show-and-shine. The immaculately detailed stunner features a super clean engine bay, while big brakes and Forgeline wheels fill up the wheelwells.
Slathered in a slick coating of bright red, Shay Campbell's '69 Camaro stood out in the sh

Powered by a turbocharged LS mill, James Voyles' '70 Nova ran in the True Street class and put the power to the ground with a set of drag radials. The Nova launched soft, with boost coming in well past the 60-foot clocks, so the car had a crazy top-end charge that resulted in very high trap speeds.
Powered by a turbocharged LS mill, James Voyles' '70 Nova ran in the True Street class and
Yanking the wheels off the line, this fourth-generation Camaro has a nitrous-fed LSX powerplant. The car is campaigned by Next Motorsports, and driven by Adam Preston. The super clean Camaro took home the Real Street victory during Sunday's eliminations.
Yanking the wheels off the line, this fourth-generation Camaro has a nitrous-fed LSX power
Mark Turner has owned this '69 for several years, but this is its first year on the show circuit. Numerous engine problems led him to a simpler combination, which allows him to have fun on the autocross and keep it dependable.
Mark Turner has owned this '69 for several years, but this is its first year on the show c

BMR Suspension was on hand showcasing its multitude of suspension components, and it also competed in many of the LS Fest challenges. Here, it is making its way down the strip on a Speed Stop Challenge pass.
BMR Suspension was on hand showcasing its multitude of suspension components, and it also
It's hard to beat the looks of a '67 Camaro Rally Sport, especially when it's prepped for serious autocross abuse. Super-wide tires and lots of cool details makes this one a very cool piece, while an LS engine gives it enough grunt to muscle around the autocross course effortlessly.
It's hard to beat the looks of a '67 Camaro Rally Sport, especially when it's prepped for
Lots of turbocharged combinations showed up at this year's LS Fest, including this copper fourth-generation Camaro, which ran in True Street. A huge group of hitters competed in True Street, which requires a street cruise.
Lots of turbocharged combinations showed up at this year's LS Fest, including this copper

You don't see many four-door Chevys built for performance, but this '66 deuce breaks the cycle, with its grocery-getter qualities mixed with a well-equipped LS engine under the hood. Heath Forshee is the proud owner.
You don't see many four-door Chevys built for performance, but this '66 deuce breaks the c
Two big challenges involved major work--one was an engine swap competition, and the other was a suspension swap, which is seen here. The Suspension Challenge was sponsored by RideTech, and it showcased the easy installation of one of its suspension systems on a GM A-body.
Two big challenges involved major work--one was an engine swap competition, and the other
This thing is just plain awesome. Flat-black paint makes us wonder if this car's owner abuses it on a regular basis--let's hope he does. The car's custom front and rear spoilers, along with its rollbar and aggressive stance make for a killer combination.
This thing is just plain awesome. Flat-black paint makes us wonder if this car's owner abu