Images: Michigan Live

For years, Power Tour has beckoned automotive enthusiasts all across the country to participate in a week-long cross country journey in their beloved automobiles. But what has become an anticipated event each year has left one 2012 host city with a question of how to pay the debt left in the wake of last year’s event, according to Michigan Live.

The Hot Rod Power Tour dates back to 1995, when the magazine staff originally headed out on a cross-country trip in their own project cars. While many people participated along the way, just seven individuals made the entire journey from California to Ohio, sparking the first ever Long Hauler Gang, which is now celebrated annually at an award ceremony on the final night of the tour. Heading into its 18th year, the Hot Rod Power Tour will kick off in Arlington, Texas this June.

While potential participants make plans for their hot rod trip, the Muskegon County government sits with an issue on its hands. As the host city for the second day of the 2012 Hot Rod Power Tour, Muskegon hosted a fantastic affair last year, but such an effort put the Muskegon County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee in debt by $11,000. The problem is, the Committee only gets $10,000 annually to support local events, leaving the county to deal with a financial burden and decisions on future events.

The Muskegon County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee acquired the debt after private organizers the tour, Cruising the Lakeshore, were unable to pay money owed to the vendors for the special day. While there are questions as to why the county has to pay a private organization’s debt, the county has stepped up in order to keep its good credit rating and ensure the area will be once again considered for a stop on the Power Tour in the future.

Joyce Lund and Roy Strayer enjoy the day with their '46 Dodge Deluxe in Muskegon, Michigan during the 2012 Hot Rod Power Tour.

In order to pay the debt, the Committee could pull funds from the county’s general fund or the room tax fund. Committee members have requested that money not come out of the room tax fund, a fund that acquires money from hotel accommodations within the county to support the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as help with marketing for visitors outside the county, but a final decision is set to be reached with the help of county board Chairman Ken Mahoney and County Administrator Bonnie Hammersley in the future.

In the meantime, the Committee is holding off on decisions about money requests for future events in the county. These events include a veteran’s job fair, veteran’s education and training seminar, the Lakeshore Art Festival and the North American Irish & Celtic Festival Organizers Conference.

The county is currently trying to get Cruising the Lakeshore organizers to pay the debt owed, but County Finance Director Heath Kaplan told Michigan Live that it’s not likely to happen. Hopefully things work out so the hot rodders of the area both near and far aren’t the ones who suffer!