MOTORAMA DRAWS THOUSANDS TO CAPE

Before the close of Motorama '95 at the Show Me Center Sunday, organizers and vendors were planning for Motorama '96.

"This has been very successful," said Jerry Hollis, a coordinator of this year's event. "and some of the vendors have already asked me about coming back next year."

Hollis estimated between 7,000 and 8,000 people entered the Show Me Center over the weekend to see exhibiters from throughout the Midwest.

NASCAR-related and other speedsport products were displayed on the floor of the Show Me Center. Local merchants and national vendors displayed their products and new technology.

Hollis touted the event as the biggest one of its kind between St. Louis and Memphis. He said Motorama '95, co-sponsored by Auto Tire and Parts and KFVS-TV 12, was the first event of its kind in Southeast Missouri.

A display stopping many of the weekend spectators was the Ford-NASCAR simulator. For $1, a driver got behind the wheel of a Thunderbird race car and took a few laps around the track, never leaving the inside of the Show Me Center.

"People have lined up for that all weekend," Hollis said.

He said the highway patrol's rollover demonstration also kept the crowd's attention. Using two dummies, a Chevy truck would turn round and round, throwing the dummies out of the front seat and slamming them to the ground.

"40,000 people are killed each year like this," said Sgt. Brent Davis of the highway patrol as he operated the contraption.

Besides entertaining and informational displays, the latest products from aftermarket, original equipment dealers, high performance/racing, recreational and related industries also were featured at the event.

The Show Me Center was booked April 12, 13 and 14 for next year's Motorama '96.