For those that may believe Volkswagens are nothing more than rolling roadblocks, the East Coast Pro Racing Association Pro Stock and Quick Shootout classes will give spectators reason to think otherwise.
The Pro Stock and Quick Shootout cars are capable of making 1/8th-mile passes in excess of 100 mph. In addition, Super Pro, Pro and Mod Street classes will compete, leaving little doubt that Volkswagens can be high-performance machines.
The ECPRA, founded in 2004 by Ron Hubbert and Warren Hill, is based on the philosophy that the organization's racers should choose the direction of the organization. The competitors meet annually to adopt new rules and determine the schedule for the upcoming season.
ECPRA officials are expecting one of the largest fields in VW racing history and believe the facility is the main reason for the excitement surrounding the event.
"Thunder Valley is one of the most highly regarded tracks in the country," said Bob Butler, ECPRA Public Relations Director, "and we are really excited about the event. The fact that such a big name venue sought us out for an event speaks very highly of our sport and our people."
Hill, the president of ECPRA, echoes Butler's comments and adds that this event has great potential to become a landmark event.
"We hope to have the largest field of high-revving, tire-smoking, wheel-standing Pro Stock Volkswagens in the history of VW racing," says Hill. "I can already tell that this is going to be one of the best shows on the VW circuit."
The Thunder Valley Volks Rally will feature an autocross course for Volkswagens, Porsches and Audis on Saturday and a car show with over 40 classes on Sunday.
"With the car show and autocross, we're hoping for a huge success even in this first year," explains Butler. "There are a lot of VW fans in this area, and we want to put East Tennessee on the map as the premiere VW event in the East."
"There is a long history of some great VW events in this region, and I think we're going to awaken that sleeping giant and surprise a lot of people," added Butler. "I've spoken to people coming from several states away for this event. Given that this is an inaugural event, that's a very big deal."
Tay Woykowski, who campaigns his VW in the Pro Stock class, says fans may be surprised by what they see on the track.
"I hope the fine folks at Bristol realize that we are not just little VWs going down the track," said Woykowski. "We may make a few new fans. I can't wait until we get to that water box."
Butler has no trouble summing up the appeal of watching the Volkswagens make high-speed passes down the track in Thunder Valley.
"The little, old air-cooled VW with its reliable engine, light weight, and relatively low cost, makes the perfect canvas for creating a race car," he explains. "Fans will see Volkswagens, some of which are over 50 years old, running times that turn the heads of even the most diehard muscle heads and tuners out there. It's simply amazing what these guys can do with these cars."
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, with autocross starting at 10 a.m. Drag racing qualifications begin at noon, and a gambler's race is slated for 3:30 p.m.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Sunday. Final qualifications and car show judging begin at 11 a.m. Eliminations kick off at 1 p.m. The car show cruise takes place at 2:15 p.m. and car show awards will be announced at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15 each day, with a $25 weekend pass also available. Children 10 and under are free.
For more information, please call 423.764.DRAG or visit the Thunder Valley Volks Rally Event Page.