If you happen to be around Los Angeles during the weekend of October 21-23, there will be an interesting event held at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, near Bakerfield. It will be the 20th anniversary of the California Hot Rod Reunion, a three-day festival of speed, hot rods, and American Enthusiast. I for one can not relate very much to this crowd. Sure I love the old front engine dragsters, and it is my intention to get one (hopefully from Bruce Dyda), but I do not know the old racers except for the legends like Don and Shirley. However, the reason to visit this event is not necessarily for seeing past idols. In my humble opinion it is to mingle with the people there. They are the nicest and friendliest bunch of racing enthusiasts.
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"TV Tommy" with John Force at zMax,
photo courtesy of NHRA. |
The first time we visited the Hot Rod Museum the staff there dedicated time to us as if we were family. Really, who does that nowadays! As I sat and chatted with some of the volunteers there, one of them called out "Hey, there's "TV Tommy". Well, I didn't want to sound stupid, so I didn't ask who he was referring to, but as I didn't respond he motioned the man over. So then and there I was introduced to "TV Tommy" Ivo. One of the most important persons of that bygone era. Mr. Ivo sat down and conversed with us. So nice to see people take the time for others. This is the kind of attention one gets at these events. And the event organizers are simply the best.
This reunion is produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. The same nice people mentioned above. The idea is part of he museum's living-history philosophy, which I am quoting here,
"which works to bring to life the sights, sounds, and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing, and the golden age of American car culture."
The reunion features the following:
- NHRA vintage drag racing, including Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Car, Fuel Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Stock, Hot Rods and others.
- Huge Cacklefest, where nitro-burning, historic FED are push-started as in the "old days." You have got to experience this!
- Swap meet and hot rod- and automotive-related vendors.
This year the Reunion will be dedicated to Steve Gibbs, the person who came up with the idea of this reunion. It doesn't get any better than that! Grand marshal Gibbs began his drag racing career back in 1961 working part time at San Gabriel and Fontana Drag Strips
For more information, please visit:
www.nhra.com
Alternatively visit:
http://museum.nhra.com/apcm/templates/general.asp?articleid=676&zoneid=41&navsource=reunions
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| Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, photos from own collection |
If you happen to be around Los Angeles during the weekend of October 21-23, there will be an interesting event held at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, near Bakerfield. It will be the 20th anniversary of the California Hot Rod Reunion, a three-day festival of speed, hot rods, and American Enthusiast. I for one can not relate very much to this crowd. Sure I love the old front engine dragsters, and it is my intention to get one (hopefully from Bruce Dyda), but I do not know the old racers except for the legends like Don and Shirley. However, the reason to visit this event is not necessarily for seeing past idols. In my humble opinion it is to mingle with the people there. They are the nicest and friendliest bunch of racing enthusiasts.
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