(SAN BERNARDINO, Sept. 20, 2009) – Westways Magazine has been inducted into the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous Crusin’ Hall of Fame® this weekend along with Airstream, Wanda Wells of Wanda’s Upholstery, and the Grand National Roadster Show for significant contributions to the automotive industry and the American cultural phenomenon of car cruising.
The Route 66 Rendezvous is California’s largest cruising classic car show that takes place annually in September in 35 blocks of historic downtown San Bernardino with nearly 2,000 hot rods, classics and custom cars cruising. The event is free, family-friendly and features cars, music, entertainment, sponsor displays, legendary guests and exhibitors. Approximately 500,000 were expected to attend the four-day event.
The 2009 inductees were honored at the Crusin’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday at the San Bernardino County Government Center Rotunda. The San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with the City of San Bernardino, established the Cruisin’ Hall of Fame in 1995.
Westways Magazine, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, was selected as an inductee because of its contributions to Southern California travel and culture. Westways is the 10th largest circulation of all magazines in the nation. Published by the Auto Club for its members, Westways serves 8 million readers as the region’s premier lifestyle magazine and is a significant voice in local and regional affairs.
The Auto Club’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Product Management and Publishing told guests at the ceremony that the Auto Club shares a common goal with those participating in the Route 66 Rendezvous. “…That is a love for cars and the freedom that comes with navigating the open road. Route 66 is an embodiment of that spirit, and the joy of driving our dream vehicles to Southern California destinations—like right here in San Bernardino.”
Westways was originally published under the name Touring Topics. Its earliest issues focused on touring destinations, advances in automotive technology and efforts to bring modern roads to Southern California. The Westways name was placed on the mast in 1934. Throughout the years, the magazine covered Route 66 extensively, helping to increase awareness of the route and alerting travelers to the wonderful destinations along the way. More recently, Westways writers also wrote passionately about milestone anniversaries of the Mother Road, and editors collected the experiences of readers traveling on Route 66.
For those who want to experience more Westways history this year, an exhibition, “Scenic View Ahead: The Westways Centennial,” featuring cover art from the Auto Club’s Westways magazine, is on display in the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport (JWA) through Monday, Oct. 19. It’s the largest collection of Westways cover art ever exhibited. Ticketed passengers who have gone through security can view the collection, on display across from Gates 1 – 4 and 11 – 14 in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal. For more information about JWA’s art program, visit www.ocair.com. For more about the Auto Club, visit www.AAA.com