Autoblog

The newest place to eat in Vegas isn't anywhere close to the strip, unless you are talking about the drag strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Shelby Automobiles will open its new Shelby Corner Cafe at its Las Vegas facility this weekend alongside the NHRA drag races. Mr. Shelby himself will be on hand for the opening, along with well known drag racers like Bob Tasca III, Don Prudhomme, and Robert Height. The 13,000 square foot restaurant, in addition to serving guests visiting the plant, will provide a place to eat for Shelby employees and will serve as an alternative source of grub to race spectators. Carroll's famous chili is on the menu, of course, and the press release is after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE:

Las Vegas, Nev. – April 9, 2008 – Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK), will kick off the NHRA weekend by opening the new Shelby Corner Café on April 10, 2008. Located on the Shelby Automobiles campus at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Cafe is dedicated to the Shelby legend and gives enthusiasts visiting the track or Shelby facility a place to dine that equals their passion for performance automobiles.

An NHRA themed party will commemorate the opening of the Shelby Corner Café on Thursday night. In addition to an appearance by Mr. Shelby, driver Bob Tasca III will appear with his new Ford Shelby GT500 NHRA pro-fuel dragster to sign autographs. Other luminaries like Don "the Snake" Prudhomme and NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car Champion Robert Height are expected for the "cackle party" which will begin at 5:30 p.m. that evening. Displays will include Big Daddy Don Garlits' nostalgic "Swamp Rat" Top Fuel Dragster, Mike Kuhl's dragster and the Yeakel Plymouth owned by the late Lou Baney; the nitro powered cars will fire their engines simultaneously in front of the café to start the weekend off with a bang. The event is free to the public.

"Shelby Corner Café is a fun place to dine while visiting Carroll's two favorite places, the track and his factory," said Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles. "We initially planned to open a place for Shelby employees as the selection of eateries is a bit limited at the Speedway. We had so many requests by enthusiasts to eat here after a museum tour that decided to open the café to the public. On any given day, you might see our chief test driver, production crew, or even Carroll himself eating at the next table."

The 13,000 square foot café features an Americana menu with breakfast served from 6 to 11 a.m. Lunch crowds can enjoy hamburgers, salads, sandwiches and Shelby's Classic Chili from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The café features Wi-Fi, a coffee bar and is decorated in genuine Shelby memorabilia that demonstrates the power of the brand.

"The Café will be available for private parties and even has a door to accommodate the entry of a car inside," noted Boylan. "We might even add a stop at the Café to the Shelby car delivery program for a private meal."

The Café sits adjacent to the world famous Shelby Automobiles factory and mod shop. From this location, the company turns out a limited number of genuine Shelby Cobras, GT500KR's and Shelby Super Snakes. Shelby Autos also taps the drag strip and road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to test their cars.

"Although we have been approached by interested parties, we currently have no plans to open additional Shelby Corner Cafés," added Boylan. "This is a special place where everyone can enjoy a bit of casual food after visiting one of the hottest destinations in Las Vegas. The only restaurant rule is to have fun the Shelby way."