Hi Everyone, I’m pleased to announce that for the fourth straight year, the Wanda brand will be the title sponsor of the 13th Annual AkzoNobel Wanda Brand Blue Suede Cruise event July 18-20, 2014, at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH!
Blue Suede Cruise is the largest Midwest street rod event of year—and one of the most fun, because it’s set to a retro 1950s theme—with hundreds of gleaming Hot Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars and Trick Trucks 1972 and older on display. In addition to the general car show, car buffs will enjoy a host of activities all weekend long, including:
- Car Care Clinics hosted by Wanda
- Quarter-mile Fun Runs
- The Wanda Challenge Run
- Exhibitor Booths
- Wanda’s Coloring Land for Kids and Wanda Diner
- Neon of Lights Parade with “Wanda” as Grand Marshall
- Nitro Dragsters and Jet Cars
- Live Concert with the “Van-Dells” and Fireworks Display
- Major Door Prizes
- Nostalgia Drag Racing Show
- Vintage Fashion Show
I’m also proud to once again be a co-sponsor of the second annual Cruisin’ Times Hot Rod Build-Off, held in conjunction with Blue Suede Cruise. The Cruisin’ Times Hot Rod Build-Off was created in 2013 by Cruisin’ Times editor, John Shapiro, as a way for amateurs to try their hand at custom car building. Two candidates are chosen from a pool of submissions to participate in the yearlong project.
Gary Boron and Jim Hurst have been selected for the 2014 competition and will engage in a classic Ford and Chevy lover’s face-off. Gary will build a custom car using a Ford body from the years 1949 to 1953. Jim will build a custom Chevy using a body from the same time period—both to be painted in Wanda’s Blue Suede color.
The builders, along with the magazine’s editor, visited the Wanda team in Troy, MI, last December to learn how to properly spray the refinish system. Gary and Jim will drive their custom cars into Summit Motorsports Park on July 18th for show-goers to vote on the winning car. Good luck, gentlemen!
A complete schedule of events during Blue Suede Cruise will be available on the convenient Wanda mobile website at wandarefinish.us. For event updates throughout the weekend, visit my Wanda Facebook Page. With a weekend this jam-packed with activities for the whole family, you won’t want to miss out on this year’s Blue Suede Cruise. I hope to see you there! Until then,
– Nitro Dragsters and Jet Cars
Event-goers are also encouraged to stop by the Wanda booth, where they’ll not only learn about the simplicity, color, and value of using my Wanda and Wanda Waterbase refinish products, but also see the spotlight shine on the Curing Kids’ Cancer organization and the classic 1932 Ford 3-window coupe on display.
A complete schedule of events during Blue Suede Cruise can be found on my convenient new Wanda Mobile Website! Just go to wandarefinish.us, or wandarefinish.com and click on either Canada or United States. The mobile site provides a full web experience that’s easy to navigate with great graphics, and information that can be accessed in multiple languages. Or visit my Facebook page at 
