Moncton's Atlantic Nationals July 5 to 9, 2006

Moncton Car Enthusiasts Fervor is High

Written By: Sharon A. Layton-Pollock


Starting in the mid 1980’s, the Greater Moncton Street Rod Club hosted an annual popular car show called simply the “Fun Run.” As this event continued to grow, so did the focus and attention of the old car fraternity nationally. This interest and the hard work of the club led to them hosting the 1994 version of the Canadian Street Rod Nationals. This show drew approximately 1000 participants, and was hailed as the most successful show of it’s kind, both financially and more importantly in the quality of the events.

As time went on the “Fun Run” got bigger and bigger, putting more demands upon the Greater Moncton Street Rod Club. A group of seven was formed in 1999 to organize a steering committee to handle the increased demands of organizing such events.

While the group has changed over the years since, the present committee includes Bill Doherty, Tom Miller, Terry Malley, Richard Wood, Darrin Walsh, Mike Perry and Gerald Wortman. The group’s secretary/treasurer is Cindy Miller.

The group worked together to fine tune the organization. In 2000 a resounding successful day run was held called the “Last Fun Run.”

The group then formed the Atlantic Nationals into a not-for-profit organization, with its mandate being “to generate economic activity in the area.” This being their primary objective, but they also provide funding for local charities and worthwhile causes as well.

The Atlantic Nationals has steadily grown and new events added. In 2005 the Atlantic Nationals introduced the first annual 24 Hours of LeLawns. This fun filled event is a charity event where teams of five drivers and two pit crew enter a 24-hour lawn tractor endurance race on the asphalt path around Moncton’s Centennial Lake. This race had everything from stock Snapper mowers to an all out 1200 V twin powered monster with a rear differential from an off road Kawasaki 4 wheeler.

All of the costs for this event were offset by the host club and sponsors, so 100% of the $300.00 team entry fee was turned over to the Moncton Fire Department and then on to Muscular Dystrophy. A great time was had by all and with many of the entries ending up in the lake before the event was over.

On Thursday the Atlantic Nationals will begin with a free breakfast in Riverview for participants only. From there, after some prize draws, some 150+ cars will leave for a cruise across the Confederation Bridge for a fun filled scavenger hunt and show and shine in Summerside PEI. A BBQ will be held there to finish off the festivities.

After lunch and a good deal of camaraderie, the participants cars will head back across the Bridge at half of the usual toll for the trip back to Moncton. In the evening, the sixth annual Drive-In-Movie will air for participants only with more munchies provided by the Riverview Lions Club, which was all included in the participants registration.

Bright and early on Friday, Moncton’s Main Street will be closed to all regular traffic and the festivities will begin. Motorists are reminded that with the construction of Assomption, there will be a good deal of traffic congestion and they should take alternate routes to work on Friday.

Main Street will fill up quickly with some of the nicest vehicles seen anywhere as the entertainment carries on throughout the day. Crowds of up to 100,000 people could well join in the fun. This promises to be yet another long and fun filled day for all those who plan to attend, with lots to eat and drink at the many sidewalk patio restaurants throughout the tree lined downtown core.

The beautiful 230 acre Centennial Park will be the place to be on the Saturday and Sunday of the Atlantic Nationals. There you will find a huge vendor area, a swap meet, tons of prizes, and great food. Check www.atlanticnationals.com and click on Galleries for some great photos. There will be a special KidZone area for all the little car enthusiasts as long as they are accompanied by Mom or Dad. Of course, one of the biggest highlights will be the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the long awaited Accessible Splash Park. It is the largest of its kind in Canada. This Splash Park is the culmination of the past several years of contributions by the Atlantic Nationals and their Host Club, Greater Moncton Street Rods. Its their way of saying thank you to the greatest City for hosting this great event.

After the festivities at the park on Saturday, the cars hit the streets for a sixth annual 12 mile Super Cruise Route. This is a terrific opportunity to view all of those vehicles as they move throughout the streets. Be sure to get out and show your support by lining the cruise route. Remember, however, that all of the normal rules of the road apply during this event!

On Sunday, the final day of the Atlantic Nationals for 2006, there will be plenty more for people to see and do at Centennial Park. You can keep informed of all of the happenings by tuning in to the Atlantic Nationals radio station 100.9 on the air for the weekend only.

Special guest for this year’s event is Courtney Hansen. Courtney is no stranger to what cars are made of and how they run. Her family owns Brainerd International Speedway and Courtney writes an automotive advice column for FHM and hosts Spike TV’s POWERBLOCK. To learn more about Courtney check out her web site at www.CourtneyHansen.com

On display at this year’s Atlantic Nationals, for everyone to enjoy, will be Jeff Gordon’s Nascar # 24 compliments of NAPA.

This year’s Grand Prize list is sure to please all.

1. 1932 Ford 3 Window Coupe, compliments of Mothers Polishes, Waxes & Cleaners, Gary Steeves Insurance, Cutting Edge Street Rods, GM Performance Parts, Fat Man Fabrications, Shep’s Transmissions, and Canadian Tire.
2. GM 350 HO Deluxe Crate Engine, compliments of GM Canada Performance Parts.
3. TH700 Transmission, compliments of Shep’s Transmission of Moncton
4. Flamed 1932 Ford HiBoy Pedal Car, compliments of CanadianRods.com
5. A replica 1950’s style gas pump, compliments of Action Fiberglass.
6. 2 tickets to the 2006 Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix, compliments of NAPA and Castrol
7. Cowl Induction Hood, compliments of Pro Body Parts.
8. A Custom Aluminum Floor Jack, compliments of Crown Machine & Welding.
9. A Custom Water Color painting of a participants car by Steve Bauchman, sponsored by Mothers Polishes Waxes and Cleaners.
10. A custom Paint Package sponsored by Hub City Auto Paints & Supplies
11. “Rock My Ride” Chevy S-10, compliments of C103 and NAPA.


Check out the Atlantic National’s web site for updates on the prize list: www.atlanticnationals.com Grand prize will be drawn on Sunday, July 9th. don’t miss it.

This wonderful event would not be possible without the great support of the sponsors. Check out the web site www.atlanticnationals.com and click on the Sponsor link and then click on each sponsors logo to learn more about them.

While you are in Moncton for the Atlantic Nationals check out their web site for a list of places to stay. Please note the with the exception of the Host Hotel, the Atlantic Nationals Automotive Extravaganza does not block groups of rooms or negotiate room rates. The list on the web site is only for a guide to accommodations in the greater Moncton area. For a complete list of area accommodations contact Tourism New Brunswick.

2006 Atlantic Nationals Schedule of Events

Wednesday, July 5
6:00 p.m. ……………………….The 24 Hours of LeLawns

Thursday, July 6
8:30a.m to 9:30 a.m…………….Free Participant’s Breakfast at the Muddy river Restaurant on Pine Glen rd., Riverview. Free to all pre-registered participants and sponsored by the town of Riverview (to learn more about the largest town in New Brunswick go to www.moncton.localintheknow.com and click on Community Profiles.)
10:00 a.m……………………….Escorted “Country Cruise” across the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island and on to Summerside.
2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m……………Registration for early arrivals at Centennial Park.
7:00 p.m…………………………The last lap of the 24 Hours of LeLawns.
7:30 p.m………………………….The LeLawns “Grudge Match.”
7:00 p.m. to closing………………Giant Meet ‘n Greet, BBQ, Drive-In movie and meet the sponsors at Centennial Park.

Friday, July 7
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m…………….Registration for participants at Centennial Park.
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m……………Main Street All-Day Cruise-In.
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m……………CSRA/NSRA Safety Lanes (Highfeild Square parking lot).
10:00 a.m. to closing………………Vendor and Show Sponsor displays downtown on Main Street.
8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m……………..Outdoor “Rock n’ Roll ‘til Midnight Street Party” on the NAPA Sound Stage on Main Street, featuring a variety of entertainers. This is a free event open to the public.

Saturday, July 8
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m………………Show opens and registration on site at Centennial Park. Vendor sites open. Centennial Park gates open to the public. Day admission is $5.00 per person, children under 10 accompanied by an adult admitted at no cost. Kar Korral and Swap Meet on the west end road at the rear of the park.
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m……………..Music at the Bandstand.
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m……………..CSRA/NSRA Safety Lanes at Centennial Park.
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m……………..Drive-thru judging at Centennial Park
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m……………..Atlantic Nationals “Model Boat Regatta” at Centennial Park Lake.
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m……………..Shuttle Bus to and from major malls and host hotel.
10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m……………..Atlantic Nationals Model Car Contest at Rotary Lodge
TIME TBA…………………………Hub City Auto Parts Kid’s Painting Contest at the Hub City Booth.
5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m………………Super “Cruise Route” Event.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Atlantic Nationals promotes safe cruising and there is a ZERO TOLERENCE to tire squealing/burning policy in effect for the entire weekend, and specifically for the Super Cruise Event.

7:00 p.m. …………………………Feel the need to burn rubber? This is where you do it…..Atlantic Nationals Invitational Burnout Blitz, River Glade Speedway (west of Moncton on the Homestead Rd. take the Irving Big Stop exit. Smoke em if you got ‘em!
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m……………Registration at the Coliseum.
9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m………………Rock n’ Roll Dance Party at the Moncton Coliseum. This venue is restricted to registered show participants and their paid guests. Babysitting service available on-site at the Coliseum.

Sunday, July 9
8:00 a.m…………………………..Show opens. Centennial Park gates open to the public. Day admission is $5.00 per person, children under 10 accompanied by an adult free.
8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. …………….Registration
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m……………..Vendor sites open.
8:00 to 4:00 p.m…………………..Kar Korral and Swap Meet open.
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m…………….Last chance for CSRA/NSRA Safety Lanes at Centennial Park
9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m…………….Drive-thru judging at Centennial Park.
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m……………Kids activities – coloring contest, etc.
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m……………Atlantic Nationals Model Car Contest at Rotary Lodge.
10:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m…………….Random prize draws.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m……………Music at the Bandstand.
3:00 p.m…………………………..Awards Presentation
You must be present at the awards presentations and
your car must be in the park to win any of the major prize draws.
4:00 p.m…………………………..Atlantic Nationals Burnout Blitz, River Glade Speedway.

Be sure to tune your radio to HOT ROD RADIO FM 100.9 – the voice of Atlantic Nationals.

Last year was the first year for LeLawns, so don’t miss it this year. Get your team and your mower ready for the 24 Hour LeLawns, sponsored by Castrol. There will be two classes this year. The course will be the 1 km paved roadway/walkway that circles the lake at Centennial Park, with the start/finish for each lap just before the wooded bridge.

This event will be under the supervision of the Moncton Fire Fighters. They will receive net proceeds from the entry fees to aid in their fund raising efforts for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Fire Fighters will be on duty for the 24 hours, not only as the race officials, but also as safety and medical personnel. The maximum number of entries for this year is set at 24 teams. Everyone is encouraged to get a team together to help support this worthy cause. New for 2006….the top 3 teams in each class and 4 “Wild Card” teams will have a 10 lap “Grunge Race” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The list of special prizes will be announced at the start of the “24 Hours LeLawns” Wednesday afternoon. Check out more information and complete list of rules at www.atlanticnationals.com

The 2006 Atlantic Nationals is a reason to stay home and a reason to come to the beautiful city of Moncton. Bring your family and friends to this fun filled four-day event. You will return home with a greater respect for motorized vehicles. Or maybe you will retune home with an old car part from the “Kar Korrel”, an actual antique/old goods venue. For sure you’ll find new friends who enjoy cars as much as you do.

2006 Atlantic Nationals Outdoor Extravaganza…July 6th to 9th. Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada!