Octane Nights - Ravenna

OCTANE NIGHTS

Photos & words by Joe Secka

This event continues to be one of those “Can’t Miss” shows. East Main Street, SR 59, is sometimes referred to as Ravenna’s most exciting quarter-mile. It definitely wears that nickname very well. The event is scheduled to run from 5 to 9 but cruisers have already been seeking out their preferred parking spaces for several hours if you show up “on time!” It doesn’t matter whether you approach the cruise from the West at the bottom of the hill near the A&W Root Beer or if you pull in at the top of the hill by between Mongoose Motorsports, Portage Trim and the Pizza Hut. There appears to be a block party going on and it is quite the spectacle! Vehicles are parked on both sides of the street and numerous businesses along Main Street allocate a portion of their parking lots for the cruisers as well.

The car count has been estimated at 1500 and higher along with a spectator count between 5000 and 10000. Yep, it’s really that big of a deal for the gearhead community. The sheer size of the event indicates you will see multiple vehicles you have never seen before. Shiny paint, chrome and horsepower are everywhere! Remember, this is a rain or shine show. So, don’t let that issue hold you back from attending.

This is a perfect place for checking out some of the amazing vehicles, catching up with old friends and making a few new ones. Car clubs and smaller groups often arrive together and are able to park in the same areas.

OCTANE NIGHTS

Photos & words by Joe Secka

There are many restaurants along Main Street and they do a great job of providing food and beverage to the crowd. You will likely find a large display of semi-trucks, a few tractors and farm equipment. Hot rods, muscle cars both vintage and new, Corvettes, antiques and restorations are just parked there for you to check out.

Around 7 P.M. the cruisers rev up their engines for the “Ravenna Rumble” which has become a tradition that seems to delight nearly everyone.

This event has regularly been voted Crusin’ Times #1 Downtown Event of 500+ cars more than once. They take that distinction seriously with an active campaign taking place during the event each year.

I’m not suggesting you get there when the sun rises, but you might want to exercise good judgement if you want a premier parking spot! It might be a good idea to begin making plans to be there or be square.

That’s all I have - Joe

OCTANE NIGHTS

Photos & words by Joe Secka

AMERICAN

STREET RODS

“Tanker” the official shop greeter!

Partial to Complete Frame Building or Modifing

Complete SB Blown Motors starting at $14,300. BB Motors start slightly higher.

Custom Painting • New Engine Builds or Rebuilds • Street Rod and Pro-Street Chassis Fabrication • Partial to Complete Builts.

American Street Rods

1685 Reimer Rd., Wadsworth, Oh. 330-962-7190

Kid Presto (Pres.) E-mail: kidmotorsports@aol.com

HAVE A PROJECT? We are currently scheduling projects for the winter. Next year has to be better than the last. People will want to be going out to many cruise in’s and shows with there cars.

WE WORK on customer cars, unlike others who take a large deposit and let your car sit. You’ve all heard the horror stories of guys cars taking years to get fairly simple jobs finished at these shops.

WANT YOUR ROD PAINTED? Again, the horror stories of shops taking a year or longer once they got your BIG deposit. We have you bring your rod to us when we’re ready to start on it, and give it our full attention!