The fourth edition of the World Ford Challenge returned to the Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. With a championship-caliber dragstrip and the infield area of a nearby oval track providing space for a show field, this venue was a clear choice for a repeat location.
Those scouring the tradeshow...
Those scouring the tradeshow area for the right part were often satisfied, as a variety of parts and pieces could be scored.
Midwest weather played mind games with potential entrants. The threat of weekend rain influenced some regional car-show hopefuls the wrong way. Once the rain departed Friday night, it was never a factor. Those who chose to stay home missed out. Those who decided to brave the threat and enter the car show or racing competition made the right call.
Whenever cars toed the line...
Whenever cars toed the line on the strip, crowds ran deep at the fence line and in the spacious grandstands.
Action was hot and heavy on the quarter-mile with all the expected top names at their best. Meanwhile, in the more sedate infield, show and shine under occasionally sunny skies found cars of nearly every make and year. After all, it was an all-Ford show, and Blue Oval backers had plenty to salivate about. Many were there to show their latest efforts, but some brought back that which had been in as many as three previous WFC show competitions. "Competition" was a key word, as hard-working judges checked every nook and cranny to find the best of the best.
Mustang & Fords/ Mustang Monthly Auto Show Spectacular
Stock Classes
'60-'69 Car & Truck - Jack Wissman, '67 Fairlane convertible
'70-'89 Car & Truck - Amber & Bill Porter, '70 Mercury Cyclone
'64-'66 Mustang - Luana Kirby, '65 (Poppy Red)
'67-'68 Mustang - Linda & Vic Wilson, '67 GTA convertible
'69-'70 Mustang - Doug Robinett, '70 Mach 1
'71-'78 Mustang - Daryl & Brenda Gray, '71 Mach 1
Shelby and Boss - Chris Brown, '68 GT500 convertible
Modified Classes
'03-'59 Cars - Jim & Diane Hatcher, '55 Thunderbird
'60-'01 Cars - Mark Hoffman, '65 Falcon
'55-'79 T-bird, Cougar - Kendall Wilder, '69 Cougar
'64-'66 Mustang - Dan Plana, '65 Mustang (featured in this issue)
'67-'68 Mustang - Dave Haub, '68 Mustang
'69-'70 Mustang - Jim Krill, '69 Fastback
'71-'78 Mustang - Ryan Weiss, '73 Mach 1
Super-Modified Classes
'49-'64 - Terry Stonecipher, '57 Ranch Wagon
'65-'01 - Marvin Knack, '76 Cobra II
Special Interest
Pantera/Cobra - Eric Brown, '65 Cobra Roadster
Drag/Round Track - Paul Cooney, '65 Mustang Fastback
Best Of Show - Jim & Diane Hatcher, '55 Thunderbird
Best Paint - Danny Freels, '94 Mustang GT
Best Engine - Kevin Daugherty, '94 Cobra
Best Interior - David Wehby, '93 Mustang LX
Mustang & Fords Best Restomod - Tom Mccool, '62 Ranchero
Mustang & Fords Best Restored - Chris Brown, '68 GT500
Mustang Monthly Best Vintage - Rod Suttle, '73 Grande
Mustang Monthly Best Late-Model - David Wehby, '93 Mustang LX
Racing Competition
5.0 Mustang Pro-Mod 5.0 - Billy Glidden defeated Chuck Samuel
Edelbrock Pro Street Outlaw - Mike Murillo over Dan Millen
Mustangweekly.com Wild-Street - Willie Figueroa bested Paul Payne
Excessive Motorsports Hot-Street - Kurt Neighbor beat Rob Galloway
Ford Performance Solutions Renegade - Bart Tobener over Craig Zurman
Fordspeed.com Pure-Street - Ron Anderson over Jarrod Richards
Aeromotive Factory Stock - Bob Cosby defeated Rich Groh
Superchips Open Comp Eliminator - David Lanmar topped John Brady
SHM Modular-Street - Alan Braasch over Paul Svinicki
PSP Pro Lightning - Dave Pickrel bested Paul Duckett
PSP Street Lightning - Robert Chuhran over Steve Craig