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Mega Mopar Action Series – Extra Coverage MOPES AT MAPLE ’15
Maple Grove hosts another great Mopar event that just keeps on growing.
By Al Dente
Photos by TheBruntBros
Mopars at the Grove was decidedly upbeat this year. Delaware Valley Mopar Association president, Rob McColl noted there were no complaints at all unlike some past events where some show car folks grumbled about being misclassified, or were forced to park in the sun, or in the shade or too far away from their buddies or it was too far to walk to the awards tent or they shoulda won an award etc. This year it seemed everyone had a good attitude, which made RobÂ’s life easier and he didnÂ’t have to slap anyone upside the head for being a nuisance.
Car Show Results
Race Results
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“Plucky” Bucky Hess launches his SS/AH ‘Cuda.
Great weather, along with the Saturday (as opposed to last yearÂ’s Sunday) event helped the large turnout of racers and showcars, with 122 showsters breaking out their polishing rags and Q-tips to bring their ride up to its best state of presentation. There was, as they say, something for everyone, unless you were unusually picky, in which case you shoulda stayed home.
While there were no exhibition features such as jet cars, or bongo drum competitions, track honcho, Lex Dudas stepped up to the plate by featuring the very popular Hemi Challenger Shootout. It’s more than we can say for some other Mopar events which, for some unknown reason, didn’t run this feature. Shame on them. All of these SS/AH cars ran with Ray Barton Racing Hemis, except for Bucky Hess’ ‘Cuda which is powered by his own Hemi.
We noticed excellent track maintenance during the event, the track workers did everything short of getting down on their hands and knees with toothbrushes to make sure the surface was just right. And Lex didnÂ’t spare the VHT traction compound, either.
This year marked the first time for a burnout contest. Problem was most of the entrants didn’t know how to do a burnout. Guess they weren’t around on the street in the ‘60s. In desperation, they called on one of the Delaware Mopar Association club members to host a burnout 101 class. He wound up winning the contest.
Another diversion from the hardcore Mopar activities was the Monster Truck ride. You climbed up a long ladder (if you werenÂ’t afraid of heights) and took a seat. One of the racers took her 7-year old for the ride. She was scared shirtless while the kid thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. We thought it was a bit tepid in that they didnÂ’t crush any cars or leap over 7 parked school buses or drive into town for pizza.
Looks like next yearÂ’s Mega Mopar Action event will be even bigger (we donÂ’t really know, weÂ’re just supposed to say that) so get ready now. Okay, tomorrow.
Here are some photos in addition to those that ran in our February issue. To see those you either have to buy the magazine or thumb through it for free on the newsstand.
Terry and Tim May showed up with a 5.9L Magnum powered ’59 Dodge D100 truck. Here are some more pix of Terry’s all-Chrysler early ‘70s boat/motor/trailer package showing the great upholstery restoration.
If you had fear of heights you certainly didnÂ’t want to take a spin in the back of this Dodge monster truck.
Jim Daniels (near lane) going up against Bucky Hess in the Hemi Challenge.
Car Corral featured this Â’71 Duster with a 519 HP 500-inch motor with TCI automatic for an asking price of $16,500.
Scott Hackman rolled out his original Â’85 Dodge Shelby Charger with the 2.2L turbo and optional sunroof.
Pat Montgomery drove his ’29 Plymouth roadster powered by a 354 Hemi out of a ’56 Imperial 250 miles to the show. Leather upholstery provided Imperial comfort. Pat won Mopar Action’s “Best Car With A shrunken Head From The Mirror” award last year. This year he placed third in that category. Competition is getting tougher.
All the Mopar excitement proved a bit much for this couple. Maybe theyÂ’re used to Fun Ford (yawn!) Weekend.
Dodge A100 pickup fans enjoyed Dennis LevanÂ’s Â’64 modified beauty.
Like the sign says: C-Body Restored class.
Popular Hemi Challenge SS/AH cars saw crowds enjoying the action.
Car Show Results
A-Body Stock
1.Richard Ferrari – 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger
2.Brad Forester – 1969 Barracuda
3.Shaundra Smith – 1969 Barracuda
A-Body Modified
1.Tom Cramsey – 1968 Barracuda
2.Mark Giner – 1969 Dart Swinger
3.Duane Silvius – 1968 Dart GT
B-Body Stock
1.Bill Schimeneul – 1970 Roadrunner
2.Joel Johnson – 1971 Dodge Charger SE
3.Andy Albright – 1970 Dodge Superbee
B-Body Modified
1.Chris Keller – 1972 Dodge Charger
2.Andre Levrone – 1969 Roadrunner
3.Joe Greer – 1967 GTX
C-Body Stock
1.Dave Heckman – 1970 Dodge Polara
2.Jim Grady – 1969 Chrysler 300
3.Susan & Kurt Colrus – 1958 New Yorker
C-Body Modified
1.Danny Remp – 1976 Newport
E-Body Stock
1.David Kriebel – 1970 Hemi Barracuda
2.Tim Conrad – 1970 Barracuda
3.Joe Unterholzher – 1974 Barracuda
E-Body Modified
1.Michele Mayr – 1971 Barracuda
2.Duane Kleinsmith – 1972 Barracuda
3.Mark Perreault – 1970 Challenger
Street Rod
1.Stephen Amspacher – 1948 Plymouth
2.Earl Hess – 1933 Plymouth
3.Pat Montgomery – 1929 Plymouth
FWD Stock
1.Lenny Kirkner – 2014 Dart
2.Gerald Guess – 2013 Avenger
3.Alex Patrusher – 2008 Caliber SRT
FWD Modified
1.Dan Walker – 2013 Avenger R/T
2.Jared Sachs – 2005 Neon SRT
3.Scott Hackman – 1985 Shelby Charger
Truck Stock
1.Leigh Kleinsmith – 2014 Durango
2.Matt Peiffer – 2006 Jeep SRT
3.Lisa Shenk – 2010 Dodge Ram
Truck Modified
1.Kyle Berkstresser – 2003 Dakota
2.Terry May – 1959 Dodge Truck
3.William Brandiff – 2009 Dodge Ram
Late Model RWD
1.Ryan Lehman – 2012 Charger
2.Al West – 2005 Magnum RT
3.Savannah Grurer – 2009 Charger
Other RWD Stock
1.David White – 1979 New Yorker
2.Jake Karol – 1972 AMC Hornet
Other RWD Modified
1.Gary Melnick – 1975 Cordoba
Radical Custom
1.Jason Amspacher – 1968 Coronet
2.Ron Bujtas – 1969 Barracuda
Challenger Stock
1.Vincent Giordano – 2012 SRT
2.Deb Shue – 2010 R/T
3.Darrell Hughes – 2015 Challenger
Challenger Modified
1.Pete Helsel – 2011 SRT
2.Damien Walters – 2012 Challenger
3.Jesse Smith – 2008 Challenger
Race Results
B1 Electronics:
Mike Novitsky, .022 reaction time, 8.236 seconds, 138.33 def.
Keith Mayers, .021, 11.638, 105.32
B2 Non-Electronics:
Mike Tomaszewski, Â’68 EFI Source Barracuda, .052 reaction time, 9.732, 136.80 def.
Andy Anderson, Â’71 Dodge Dart, .035, 10.442, 111.99
DOT/Street:
Don Long, Jr. Â’71 Dodge Demon, .077 reaction time, 12.705, 104.87 def.
Jason Kemp, Â’68 Dodge, -.003, 13.301, 94.77 (foul)
Nostalgia S/SS:
John E. Grater, .075 reaction time, 11.649, 110.56 def.
Keith Mayers, Â’67 Dodge, .109 11.644, 111.87
Front Wheel Drive Challenge:
Colin Moyle, Â’04 SRT4, .427 reaction time, 11.636 seconds, 121.72 def.
Andrew Crider, Â’87 GLHS, .204, 13.884, 100.42
Challenger SO:
John Castiello, .214, 12.748, 100.12 ran unopposed
Late Model Hemi Challenge:
Mark Woods, Â’06 Dodge SRT8, .632 reaction time, 13.404, 103.21 def.
Steve Kaiser, 2110 Challenger, -.023, 12.127, 115.66 (foul)
Hemi Challenge Shootout:
Jim Daniels, Â’68 Dart, .012, 8.827, 146.85 def.
Larry Perkins, Sr. Â’68 Barracuda, .064, 8.843, 151.04
NHRA Stock/Super Stock Circuit:
Jeff Tripp, .041, 8.777, 151.89 def.
James Daniels, .062, 11.384, 114.93
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