The full set of photos for the 2007 Muscle Car 1000 has been posted!

–> 2007 Muscle Car 1000 Photos (then click on one of the first 2 galleries)

They’re set up so you can buy prints directly from the site, which seemed to be the most convenient way for everyone last year. However, if you want any of the digital files for personal use, just email me at jason (at) thecalendarfactory.com and let me know what file names you want, and I’ll get them to you. (And if you want them for commercial use, contact me and let me know what for, and we’ll work something out.)

There are 2 galleries… the “highlights” features 150 pictures that tell the story. The other gallery has over 650 pictures, featuring more cars and more people … and definitely a few laughs. Enjoy!

I’ve gone through and sorted and edited the first 1000 pictures (of about 1800), and I’ll get those posted within the next couple of days. (They should be up before Oct 24th.)

The Flickr group is going well. The 2007 participants have posted 272 photos. Don’t forget to post or visit it: www.flickr.com/groups/mc1000/. Thanks!

Vicki Tweedy was kind enough to submit HER burnout footage from the deck of the Midway … so here it is!

In other news… I had said I’d have the photos of the event posted by the end of the weekend … well, that’s not going to happen. It may take until the end of the week for me to have time to sort and edit the nearly 2000 still photos I shot. Sorry for the delay…

It’s just getting started, but the Flickr group already has 83 new photos posted.

–> www.flickr.com/groups/mc1000/

Go ahead and post yours, too! Also, there’s another YouTube video posted:

–> Burnout on the USS Midway

Once I get permission, I’ll have it live here on the site. Please feel free to leave comments on the blog … thanks!

If you attended any part of the 2007 Rally and took pictures, we would love for you to share your photos with the group. Please post your photos on the new Flickr group at:

–> www.flickr.com/groups/mc1000/

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your images!

The Muscle Car 1000 supports HeRO, The Hunger Relief Organization. Here’s a quick video on HeRO:

To share this video, send on this link (just copy and paste it into your email): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBgPSWZ5vgE

For YouTube purposes, the slideshow was cut into 2 pieces … so this is the continuation of Part 1.

You can share the video by sending on this link (just copy and paste it into your email): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh_5furzyXg

For a basic overview of the first couple of days of the 2007 Muscle Car 1000, see the slideshow below. This was played the last night of the rally at closing ceremonies in the Playboy Mansion:

You can share the video by sending on this link (just copy and paste it into your email): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To2rPEJeqCY

Thursday, October 11, 2007, was the last full night of the Muscle Car 1000. And I wondered during each day of the rally … how can the next day top this? After burnouts on the aircraft carrier … what could maintain that level of “cool”? But then there was probably the best lunch I’ve ever had at the Palm Springs Air Museum, followed by one of the most fun parties I’ve ever attended. So clearly, it couldn’t get better? But then the amazing drives up and down the hill to Arrowhead … and yes, we kept the pace. I was sure it wouldn’t get any better, and that somehow Spago and the Playboy Mansion would be a let down. Wrong again.

Day 5 started in Arrowhead, and I rode in Chris Hoskins’ rare Shelby GT-350. What a great drive down the hill. We even managed to somehow run completely “over” a poor squirrel who — amazingly — came out the other side of the car unscathed and ran up a tree.

The Fox and KTTV news choppers tracked our route into LA, and we ended the drive at LA’s most famous restaurant, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. From there, the group checked into the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows. I hadn’t stayed there before, and was impressed with the great room, unique vibe, and fantastic service.

Of course, all this was just the lead-in to the event highlight: our awards dinner at the world-reknown Playboy Mansion. As we arrived, we briefly saw Hef and his girlfriends leaving for a night out … and enjoyed a number of the cars on the lawn of the Playboy Mansion. After sushi and a cheese tasting (and the open bar), dinner was served in a large tent near the Grotto. Many awards were given, including Frank’s GT500 with the “People’s Choice” award, and Jonathan’s “Eleanor” as the fastest car. (I didn’t write any of these down, so hopefully my memory serves me right here.) Awards were given by the beautiful and sweet — oh yes, and bodypainted — Playmate Tabitha.

We cheered and laughted at the highlights video of the event, then a few adventurous souls took a “midnight swim” in the grotto to end it all up. Incredible.

There was certainly a downside to the event, though. After spending 6 days with such an amazing group of people, I have to admit that it’s a bit of a letdown to be back out into the “real world.” But that’s a tradeoff that’s well worth it. Keep your eyes here for new postings over the next few days.

Here are the pictures to match up with the Day 4 summary listed below. Enjoy!