Mustangs roar into The Weirs

[SmokinStangs Mustang Forum]

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Posted: Saturday, September 10, 2011 6:00 am | Updated: 12:35 am, Sat Sep 10, 2011.

Mustangs roar into The Weirs
By JOHN KOZIOL

LACONIA - Already home to the oldest motorcycle rally in America, The Weirs this weekend is hosting what organizers hope will grow to become an equally popular gathering for those with a love of particular breed of horse: The Ford Mustang.

Beginning Friday and running through Sunday, The Weirs is home to the inaugural SmokinStangs Laconia rally, which, said founder Robert Pitard, is not only "an epic Mustang rally, but a celebration of an American icon, the Ford Mustang, and the people who are passionate about them."

A resident of Londonderry who has visited the Lakes Region on numerous occasions, Pitard grew up in a "Ford household" where his father and grandfather both drove Fords.

After entering the U.S. Army at age 18 and later serving two years active duty and six in the reserves, Pitard bought himself a 1990 Mustang GT with a five-liter, 302-cubic inch motor. He now has three Mustangs at home, including a 1992 Saleen that delivers an eye-popping 540 horsepower.

For several years, Pitard and his friends intended to go to a Mustang rally in Myrtle Beach before he decided that given this area's many amenities and natural beauty - and with Bike Week as an example - "we could do the same right here in our back yard."

In late 2009, Pitard launched www.smokinstangs.com - a website for pony car enthusiasts - and also began organizing smaller rallies, culminating in the largest, SmokinStangs Laconia, which is expected to draw as many as 600 vehicles a day to The Weirs.

"We intend to be the Northeast's premier Mustang rally destination," said Pitard.

A full schedule for SmokinStangs Laconia is available online at smokinstangslaconia.com.
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Full article in "The Citizen of Laconia" newspaper: http://www.citizen.com/news/laconia_...9bb30f31a.html

[MY-S281]

Very cool !!