Super Nationals a hit in Salem

By LARRY SHIELDS/Salem News staff writer

SALEM - How it went depended on where you were, but overwhelmingly the weekend Steel Valley Super Nationals, despite uncooperative weather, was a success.
Salem Police Chief Robert Floor said four burn-out citations were issued and those were for "major burnouts, not chirping the tires."

 Regarding the crowd, he said, "We had almost no problems."

 Floor said he was still figuring out police overtime and noted the auxiliary was out in full force all three days.

 "There's a ton of volunteer hours," he said.

 "Overall, we're pretty happy with it. We didn't know what to expect.

"I thought for the first time it went really well. There were more people than we expected."

 He said after Friday's rain, by about 8:30 or 9 p.m. a big crowd showed up on East Pershing Street.

 On Saturday, with sunny weather, a much larger crowd showed up.

Floor said police shut down East Pershing Street between South Lundy and South Lincoln avenues at about 9:40 p.m. because some hot rodders were using it for hole shots.

 Mike Grimstad, who assisted in the promotion with Barb Weikart, was thrilled with the outcome.

 "Just awesome," he said of Saturday's showing, noting it was packed downtown with B.B. Rooners in a standing room only mode and the Ice Cream Parlor running full tilt.

 Danny Engle, co-owner of B.B. Rooners, said, "It was the biggest day we ever had in 17 years.

 "It was the best thing that ever happened in town."

 He compared it to a Tuesday bike night that ran for nine instead of four hours.

 "People loved it, It was great," Engle said.

Timberlanes owner Melissa Snively said, "It was a phenomenal turnout. The crowd was extremely easy deal with and we welcome the Super Nats back next year.

 "It was a great way to bring business to Salem for the benefit of all of Salem."

 Grimstad said, "All in all, we were well pleased for the first time," He added that the people with 'Cruising Times' magazine didn't believe how well we did for the first time."

 Grimstad was unsure of Saturday's motorcycle count.

 "There were bikes in the Hose Club lot, Expert Tire, B.B. Rooners was packed and bikes were everywhere lined up on Penn Avenue up to Pershing.

 "So I have no idea how to estimate the bikes," he said, adding, "stupidity was kept to a minimum and the crowd and police did a fantastic job."

 Salem police implemented the progressive shut downs each night "perfectly," he said.

 "All in all, I was thrilled especially with Saturday," he said, noting plans are moving forward for next year's event.

 "We'll look at what worked and what didn't," he said, explaining that if the weather had been as good on Friday as on Saturday it would have been even better.

 "You can't compete with the weather," Grimstad said.

 "With the rain they weren't going to bring those expensive cars out."

 Grimstad said the feedback from across the board was on the positive side regarding the city.

 Visitors were impressed that no one was attempted to gouge them and people were friendly.

 Audrey Null, executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, said that overall everybody thought it was successful and great exposure for the merchants.

 Shannon Kleinman, co-owner of Stooges Sports Bar on South Ellsworth Avenue, "It was really slow, probably one of our slowest, but with all the hoopla it was a shot in the dark. Either you were going to get it or you weren't.

 "I think we just kind of got cut out of it, but it was good to see all the people up town."

 Kleinman said she expects the Quakertown Cruise on July 7 will work out better for them.

 Courtney Doyle, co-owner of The Hickory Rib on South Ellsworth Avenue, said, "It was pretty good, but not what we expected. It didn't get down to this end of town.

 "There was so much hype, we were hoping it would be better.

 "We had a good weekend, extra staff and food, it just didn't make it down this far."

 Kendrick's Corner on North Ellsworth Avenue made extra purchases but Linda Fiets said it wasn't as well as they expected.

Director of Public Service Joe Julian said his department experienced "no problems."

 Larry Shields can be reached at  lshields@salemnews.net