Speed Freaks Panel Discussion

POMONA, Calif. – The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California will host a
Speed Freaks Panel Discussion about what it's like to plan and drive some of the world's fastest vehicles on Saturday, Feb 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Open to all with paid Museum admission. Panel discussion will be held before the annual Southern California Timing Association (S.C.T.A.) Sidewinders Award Banquet.

"Land speed racing is an important part of American hot rodding that continues to this day with a world-wide audience. This panel discussion will demonstrate the drive, ingenuity and spirit of these speed chasers. It's going to be one not to miss," said Museum Executive Director Tony Thacker.

Banks Power President and Founder Gale Banks (www.bankspower.com) will moderate the panel discussion, as well as share his 50 years of engineering milestones including his personal land speed racing achievements. Guests can also see some of Banks' pioneering innovations, systems and record-setting vehicles on display in the Museum's Banks Power Exhibit.

Speed Freak panelists include:

• Al Teague (http://www.bluebird-electric.net/al_teague.htm), owner/driver of the World's first single-engine 432 mph streamliner;
• George Poteet, co-owner/driver of Speed Demon (http://speeddemon.us/) the World's fastest turbo-charged car at 462 mph;
• Ron Main, Sidewinders Club President and co-owner of Speed Demon;
• Mike Akatiff, owner/driver of Ack Attack the World's fastest motorcycle at 375 mph;
• Kenny Duttweiler, World famous turbo-charged engine builder;
• Mike Cook, record-setting land speed racing veteran and organizer of the Top 1 Oil World Land Speed Shootout.

Together, they will share their stories of speed including the challenges, new developments, upcoming projects as well as take questions from the audience. Ack Attack and Speed Demon, two of World's fastest vehicles will be on display in the Museum. Check out these incredible videos of Ack Attack and Speed Demon in action: http://youtu.be/bDMIlsk03zI and http://youtu.be/Le6aCV_CRvQ.
"To be able to tell our stories as land speed racers and owners from its joys to challenges is very exciting, and to host it here at the NHRA Museum makes it much more appealing," said Ron Main.

This panel discussion is open to the public and admission is free with paid Museum admission. The panel discussion will take place in the NHRA Motorsports Museum, Hall of Champions. Complimentary parking and light refreshments will be served. The Sidewinders Awards Banquet will follow the discussion 4 p.m.-10 p.m., reservations required. Cost is $55 per person includes dinner, awards ceremony, raffle prizes and entertainment.

For more details on the Sidewinders Banquet, please contact Sidewinders Club President Ron Main at 818-998-7848.

For more information visit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum web site at http://museum.nhra.com or call 909.622.2133.

Founded in 1998 and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 60 and older, $6 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.