Power Tour rolls into Memphis, as we keep the party going with Hot Rods on Beale.
When we learned that the Hot Rod Power Tour 2022 planned to kick off in our stomping grounds, it was like a gearhead dream come true. The 2022 HOT ROD Power Tour Presented by eBay Motors, driven by Continental Tire move-in day has wrapped up. But, COMP Cams kept the party going into the night on Beale Street for a special edition of Hot Rods on Beale.
Starting in Memphis and ending in Atlanta, the five-day Power Tour is a major attraction for drivers from all over the world. The first day is always a little chaotic but exciting. With thousands of cars and many more spectators descending on Memphis, we were thrilled to be on hand for the first day of the tour. With the heat index soaring into the danger zone, it didn’t stop people from making the trip to Liberty Park to see the spectacle firsthand.
If anyone worried that gas prices would keep people away, they got their answer on Monday. The check-in line was mammoth as everyone waited to get their window stickers and goodie bags, before preparing to hit the road. Many of the Power Tour cars attended the Edelbrock Grand Opening Cruise-In the day before. While the crowd was much bigger at the Liberty Park on the first day of the Power Tour, we got to see many familiar and new faces at our booth.
As the sauna cranked into the late afternoon, the COMP Cams crew selected 120 vehicles to join us for a special Power Tour edition of Hot Rods on Beale on Monday night from 6 pm to 10 pm. Beale Street in downtown Memphis is one of the most historic streets in the nation. It is often closed to vehicular traffic, but the merchant’s association knew this was a big deal and allowed the special event. There was a massive spectator turnout, despite the searing 98-degree (112 heat index) weather. It was a scorcher but the hot rods were even hotter!
Lined with bars and neon galore, Beale competes with Elvis Presley’s Graceland as a can’t-miss destination when in Memphis. Over 120 vehicles were parked down the brick-laden street. There is nothing quite like seeing all the neon lights being reflected in the gleaming chrome and shiny paint jobs of old hot rods. Participants were able to visit the restaurants and bars to try out some world-famous Memphis BBQ. Afterward, many hung out by their cars talking with the throngs of people about their pride and joy.
Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the rare opportunity to catch a photo of their car (or someone else’s) for a historic event on a historic street. It was the perfect way to wrap up a celebration we started with Friday’s Edelbrock Grand Opening and Sunday’s Cruise-In. Now we roll into a new era for the Edelbrock Group, with a season full of summer sales, giveaways, events, exciting partnership content, and so much more. Good luck to all of the Power Tour participants as they weave their way through the South!
