Founder and Event Director Jim Wicks has described the Mid America Ford and Team Shelby Nationals as a "reunion" where fans of Shelbys and high-performance Fords can return year after year to celebrate their favorite cars and visit with old and new friends. As such, this annual get-together in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ensures familiar faces and places, like the host Southern Hills Marriott hotel and the midwest-friendly atmospheres of the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit and Tulsa Raceway Park. It's like looking forward to grandma's baked beans at your annual family reunion.
But like Cousin Cindy's latest boyfriend, there's something new and different at every mid America event. This year, the Thursday night cruise moved to the Brady Arts District to offer a larger choice of restaurants and a great view of downtown Tulsa. Shelby American brought a pair of new GT350s for display and open-track, while Vaughan Gittin Jr. provided the smoke during his drifting exhibitions at Hallett between the Thursday and Friday open track sessions.
As always, Mid America featured three days of open track at Hallett, Saturday drag racing at Tulsa Raceway Park, and Sunday car show at the Marriott, with a cruise, art and trade show, reception, swap meet, and banquet squeezed in for good measure. It's a recipe that has served Mid America well for 36 years. But it's always nice to have a few new ingredients.
As an event sponsor, Ford...
As an event sponsor, Ford brought displays and cars, including a Shelby GT500 pace car.
Over 700 Mustangs and Fords,...
Over 700 Mustangs and Fords, old and new, participated in Thursday evening's 11-mile cruise to the new Brady Arts District destination.
Vaughan Gittin Jr. added a...
Vaughan Gittin Jr. added a new twist to Mid America with his drifting exhibitions at Hallett. Even if you don't understand the sport, you can't help but be impressed with the driving skill it takes to throttle sideways around a 1.8-mile, 10-turn road course.
Thursday and Friday at Hallett...
Thursday and Friday at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, located about 45 minutes west of Tulsa, is always a blast. During Friday's vintage race, the track returns to the 1960s with a field full of classic GT350s and Mustangs.
During the cruise, event directors...
During the cruise, event directors Jim Wicks and Randy Roberts took us for a visit with Jim Brackett, whose Route 66 Motors' office is located near the Brady Art District. Jim keeps a '70 Boss 429 and '67 GT500 inside his office space, which is also decorated with vintage signs, including the neon-lit "smoking cowboy" sign from the old Round-Up Motel on Route 66.
Cruise participants parked...
Cruise participants parked along several streets in the Brady Art District, which offered plenty of dining and entertainment choices.