Seems Like Old Times

Like most active street rodders, we are often overwhelmed by the shear number of events there are to choose from each year. And while we always look forward to going somewhere new and doing something different, there are a few events we return to year after year, one of them is the Hot Rod Reunion.

Presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, this year's event followed the familiar format of those past with competition classes divided into Top Fuel, A/Fuel, Junior Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, Fuel Altereds, A/FX, and exhibition cars. But while the battle lines have remained pretty much the same over the years, the intensity of the wars taking place has certainly increased. What started out to be more of a social event than a race has become one of the most competitive nostalgia events in the country. This year the appreciative crowd was treated to a pair of sub-six second runs in Top Fuel, Gerry Steiner made a 5.985-second pass, and Bill Dunlap shut the clocks off in just 5.925 seconds. In addition, a new national record was set in Jr. Fuel by Dean Carter with a sensational 7.114 e.t. at 188.28 mph.

Make no mistake, the racers take Bakersfield seriously and they come to fabled Famoso to show what they're capable of. The result is a great show for the fans. This year, when the nitro fumes and tire smoke cleared, Jack Harris had laid claim to the Top Fuel title, Bill Dunlap went home with the Top Fuel/B title, and Terry Caldwell (crew chief for Larry Minor's Top Fuel dragster on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing circuit) was the Nostalgia Eliminator. But while racing has become a bigger part of this event, the emphasis of the Hot Rod Reunion remains on recognizing the heroes and machines that made the NHRA the success it is today. To that end an open reception is held Friday night at the Bakersfield DoubleTree Inn to recognize the grand marshal and the honorees.

While most such events revolve around self-congratulatory speeches and have those in attendance looking for the exits about halfway through, the Hot Rod Reunion reception is unique. The camaraderie that reins supreme results in stories that range from poignant to hysterical, and as a result, no one leaves the room early. In fact, for those not showing up at least an hour before Dave McCelland kicks things off, it's SRO. This year's grand marshal was Marv Rifchin of M&H Tire Co. (who prompted Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen to tell some great stories about who got special tires). Honorees were the Spar brothers, who founded B&M and popularized automatic transmissions in racing; Bobby Tapia, top fuel driver who has run for a variety of car owners including Ed Donovan and Chris Karamesines as well as the Stellings and Tapia car that ran a 6.54 e.t. in 1968 on a record of 6.88; Doug Thorley, header manufacturer and the man who made "Headers By Doug" one of the most recognizable names in the industry; the Surfers, Tom Jobe and Roberto Skinner who, along with their driver, the late Mike Sorokin, campaigned a homebuilt Top Fuel car while they were in college and won the 1966 March Meet; and Don Vesco, dry lakes and Bonneville racer who currently holds the land speed record for wheel driven cars at 458 mph and is the only driver in motorsports to have held the motorcycle LSR as well. Also recognized was SO-CAL Speed Shop founder Alex Xydias and the man who guided its resurgence, Pete Chapouris. They received the Justice Brothers Spotlight Award. The final well-deserved award of the night was presented to Greg Sharp for the work he has done on behalf of the NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Along with the superb racing and exhibition runs on the track, there are plenty of things to see behind the bleachers at Bakersfield. Of course, the pits are open to give everyone the chance to get up close and personal with the competitors and there are a host of historic cars on display as well. Rows of vendors offer everything from billet heads to artwork, the swap meet is a great place to search for treasures, and if you're looking for inspiration, it can be found in the variety of rods and customs in preferred parking. On Saturday there's the Pit Pass Barbecue, and later in the day is the annual twilight memorial followed by the track cruise.

One of the most popular features of the Reunion is the Cackelfest; a relatively new addition, it became an instant hit when introduced. Just like in the old days, vintage race cars are pushed down from the "big end" and roar to life in front of the grandstands. This year more than 30 fuelers were fired, then pulled out on the strip and "cackeled." And while last year we said it was the highlight of the event, Steve Gibbs, Greg Sharp, and the rest of the small staff that puts on the CHRR, came up with something to make us eat our words, the Ring of Fire. Saturday night at 9:00 p.m., 50-plus race cars were put in a circle, then 1,320 fans (get it, the same number of feet in a quarter mile) who bought tickets for $13.20 (the proceeds going to the NHRA Motorsports Museum) were allowed inside the ring. Once inside and surrounded by nitro-burners, the lights on the strip were turned off, the engines were started, and what Gibbs calls the "Son of Cackelfest" was born. It's a good bet that days later most of those attending remained on sensory overload, still being able to smell the nitro, hear the thunder, and feel the ground shake.

Thanks to the success of the California Hot Rod Reunion, a new event will be created in 2003, the National Hot Rod Reunion. It will be held at Beech Bend Park, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, June 20-23. As with the CHRR, the proceeds from NHRR benefit the NHRA Motorsports museum. For more information, or to get on the Reunion mailing lists, e-mail your name and address to museum@nhra.com. Then you'll have two events you won't want to miss.