Pinto Stampede Rolling from Colorado to Pennsylvania

April 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Automotive enthusiasts from as far west as Colorado will converge on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds as part of the Pinto Stampede and the Carlisle Ford Nationals, June 3-5.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Ford Pinto, a gathering of Pinto owners, collectors and enthusiasts will haul out from Colorado on Sunday, May 29.  Various years of the Pinto will be represented in this historic rolling convoy which will cover more than 1,600 miles and at least seven states.  

Just outside of Denver is where the Transcontinental Railroad actually met, not where history stated it happened.   It’s only fitting that the Pinto, a car with many questions surrounding its history, rolls out from an area also clouded by uncertainty.  

The stampede certainly is for fun and will stir the passions of the Pinto owners; however, the group behind the event is a staunch supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.  The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the United States Armed Forces.  Because of that, the group will be auctioning off a guitar signed by Ted Nugent in Carlisle.  All proceeds will go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Along the way the Pintos will take part in some pretty amazing activities.  As they make their way across the country, stops will be made at Ft. Riley in Kansas, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the United 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania as well as the Indianapolis and Kansas Speedways.

Speaking of those speedway stops, the Pintos will get to do what many dream of -  taking a lap on a race track.  At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day the group will take to the track at Kansas Speedway, just days before the NASCAR Sprint Cup race.  In addition, Pintos will take to the Brickyard by completing one lap on the famed speedway at 8 a.m. on June 1.  Each Pinto that crosses the start/finish line will have its picture taken.  “If you are not signed on for this drive, you will be missing out on the Pinto event of a lifetime,” noted Norm, the Trail Boss.

Needless to say, the Pinto Stampede is shaping up to be an historic event.  Be part of the stampede or join everyone in Carlisle for the culmination of the ride.  Happy birthday Pinto!

Along with the Pinto Stampede, the Carlisle Ford Nationals offers the entire family a chance to experience the legacy of Henry Ford and his namesake automobiles. The Carlisle Ford Nationals is the largest and most thrilling all-Ford event in the world, showcasing Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Ford as the National Parts Depot Showfield highlights more than 2,400 vehicles from all eras. Whether you spend a few hours, an entire day or all weekend in Carlisle, you will enjoy special vehicle displays and anniversaries featuring concept, classic, performance and historically significant vehicles that are second to none. The Carlisle Ford Nationals – your Ford Family Reunion.