Hannibal will be at the center of the rock-crawling universe this weekend when the 2008 W.E.ROCK Grand Nationals take place at the Hannibal Rocks Off-Road Park.
This afternoon this weekend’s 40 competitors will be at the Hannibal Inn where W.E.ROCK officials will inspect their vehicles. The two-day event will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the park, which is located approximately four miles south of Hannibal off of U.S. 61. The final day of competition will kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday. The shootout will start at 3 p.m. Sunday.
“The public needs to come out and see these vehicles do things they believe in their mind is impossible,” said Tom Wombles, who along with his wife, Debbie, own the local park.
Preparations for the event were still ongoing Friday morning.
“The courses are pretty much set,” said Wombles. “They’re just finishing up all the details like the sound system and all that type stuff. We’re pretty much ready.”
No one is happier than Wombles that the remnant of Hurricane Gustav, which brought soaking rain to Northeast Missouri Wednesday and Thursday, has moved out.
“It sounds like the weather is going to be on our side. I’m glad the hurricane got through here and is gone,” he said.
Unlike other sports which can be hindered by inches of rainfall, it’s not a big problem for rock crawlers.
“That thing is all rock,” said Wombles of the course.
Last year’s Grand Nationals in Texas attracted approximately 6,000 people. Wombles is anticipating big crowds this weekend.
“We’re hoping,” he said. “It’s always hard getting the word out and getting people to understand what rock crawling is all about. But once they come they keep coming back.”
Wombles says parking for the event should not be a problem.
“I know we can take care of 750 (cars) and probably close to 1,000,” he said.
This weekend’s event will attract the best drivers that the W.E. Rock USA National Championship Series has to offer, according to Wombles.
“They’re from Washington state to New York state. This is the Grand Nationals for rock crawling’s largest series in America,” he said.
This will be the most prestigious event that the local course has hosted. Understandably, Wombles has some butterflies.
“I’m hoping for Monday,” he said, laughing. “I’m excited about it. It’s quite an honor to have it brought in here and be able to do.”
This will not be the lone national event that the local course will host this month. The 2008 All Stock Nationals will also take place locally on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27.
