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27/06/2003 ACI RACING AT THE AAC SUMMER NATIONALS 2003, BILLING AQUADROME  The Summer Nationals, organized by the American Auto Club UK at Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire, are traditionally the largest gathering of American vehicles in the UK. Many people say, if they might go to only one show during the season, that's the one. It's always been second only to Vasteras in Sweden as far as the biggest American car show in Europe goes… this year the Summer Nationals attracted approx. 7500 US vehicles of all kinds (if you can imagine it, it was there: pre-war classics, 50's fins, 60's muscle, 70's glamour… all the way up to some of the very latest models, including limousines, custom vans, trucks, motorhomes and bikes - and any condition from rolling restoration projects up to shiny trailer queens) during the glorious sunny days from the 14th to 16th of June in the beautiful surroundings of this great leisure park. Even though the cars are the stars, there've been once more lots of other things to do for all the family. The marquee with the all important bar and live music at night, plenty of food stalls and a large trader's area completed the successful event. American Car Imports Racing had a huge stand in a prime location, highly visible right at the entrance corner of the main show field - it just couldn't be missed! A big thank you goes to Harry Tune, CEO of the AAC UK, for providing the team this opportunity for a superb presentation in front of more than 30000 American car lovers. Star attraction was without doubt the ACI Racing European record breaking Top Methanol dragster, which was gleaming in the sun and much admired by all. Anthony Cohen, MD of ACI was there with his wife Rhonda. Working as a sports psychologist at Middlesex University, Rhonda is about to start a Phd in the psychological aspects of drag racing and will be attending all venues for the team this year. Dave Wilson, Europe's fastest Top Methanol driver, was there the whole weekend to talk about drag racing with the public and how the team is leading in both the European and British Top Methanol championships. Dave was accompanied by his wife Linda, team mom, and Andy Bissett, crew chief. Behind the dragster was the impressive new race car trailer, featuring on both sides full size graphics of the dragster itself. The new trailer has been fully fitted with all necessary requirements - doubling as rolling home for the race car with impressive workshop and all the crew with motorhome style amenities. There's a full household style kitchen, a bedroom for every team member, even a proper toilet and a decent full size shower in it! With the towing Scania lorry being painted in the matching team colours, this is a more than impressive road train - and for all but a few people this was the first opportunity to see it in all it's glory!  A further attraction on the stand was George Greves with his red Ford Lightning, who is currently leading the British Sportsman ET championship. He was there all the time with his family and presented his trophies in the American Car Imports sponsored race truck, which he still uses for his daily business in the central heating industry. American Car Imports presented the new red Dodge Ram 5.7 HEMI Pickup in full livery and with plenty of accessories, which is used as a tow truck for the ACI Racing dragster during the race meetings all over Europe. Parked next to it was a black 2003 Hummer H2 - very special thanks to Kiki Panayi from Euro American Car Services Ltd., who are also sponsors of the ACI Racing team, for driving it all the way up from ACI's London based premises to Billing Aquadrome. Anthony Cohen (one of the partners of American Car Imports) and his wife Rhonda did their best to provide as much information as possible about both the drag race team and new vehicle enquiries, plenty of leaflets - including ones promoting events at Santa Pod race track - and hero cards were handed out. Mouse mats with a picture of the dragster proved to be a bestseller - no wonder at a bargain price of only £1.00! The American Car Imports team got further support by guest appearances of Jim Hart (specialist for the light conversions), Gary Richards (chief valeter) and Wolfgang Pempe (media manager). Another attraction on the ACI stand was the ultrarare, stunning, highly collectible 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt in authentic Highland Green as a reminiscence to Steve McQueen and his unforgotten car chases with the Mustang in the 1968 blockbuster movie Bullitt. The 2001 Mustang Bullitt in question is one of a very special extremely limited edition and was proudly presented by Tony Jones and his family - this very desirable car was supplied new by American Car Imports and has been admired much since at many shows. Tony Jones is one of the partners of Custom Graphics, who are a sponsor for the racing team and who manufactured and applied all the graphics on the dragster, the trailer, the lorry, the tow truck and also the Ford Lightning of George Greves.  Last but not least Andy Bissett's stunning red 1991 Pontiac Firebird Formula with the famous factory fitted WS6 sports suspension package represented an era of affordable American muscle sports cars with plenty of straight line performance, which seems to have almost fully disappeared by now… The highly impressive stand of American Car Imports Racing at Billing Aquadrome was also visited by several of their sponsors - apart from those already above mentioned, there were Amanda Weston of Old Car World, John Pettifor of North Hants Tyres, Pete Stafford of USAutomotive and Ben Klemenzson of Classic American. Ultimately a great weekend was had by all - and hopefully will be repeated next year!
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