There's one thing that keeps me coming back to Famoso Raceway just outside Bakersfield a couple times a year -- Nostalgia Drag Racing is the reason. I can't imagine anything else, so we'll just go with that.
This year's Goodguys VRA, K&N Filters March Meet was absolutely the most exciting Nostalgia drag racing event I have ever attended. I haven't missed a March Meet in the past six years and have got to tell you, our own little version of March Madness gets better every year.
One reason was the addition of fuel Funny Cars becoming a legitimate competing class. I've been hearing this was going to happen for a quite a while, now and it finally has. Its popularity should increase as time goes on, as the car count was small -- six total in round one. Word has it there are a few more cars being built at this moment. I was totally reminded of being at the Winternationals in the mid-'70s when the Funny Cars would show up to the first race of the season with brand spankin' new primered bodies that had yet to be painted. Here's the first race of the Goodguys VRA series, and three of the cars were primered, as well. Talk about history repeating itself, this class started out making exhibition runs just like it did originally in the late '60s and now it's the real deal. I guess the next thing we could look forward to is a Nostalgia Pro Stock, allowing only manual four-speeds. Sounds good to me!
With this year's crowed being larger that I have ever seen, the excitement was at an all-time high. Hell, on Saturday the fence dwellers were six deep with not an empty seat in the house. I'm not sure what it is about Famoso Raceway that makes it so cool. Maybe it's the stands themselves. I mean the seats are still made of wood with different colored replacement boards every so many rows. This place just has nostalgia written all over it. You can't help but get sucked into the vintage vibe at this place.
The drag racing didn't disappoint either. The Top Fuel cars are now consistently running in the high 5s. In fact, it was Jim Murphy's 5.88, (low et of the meet) that beat Jack "The Sheriff" Harris in the Top Fuel Final as "The Sheriff's stout 5.96 wasn't quite enough to trip the top-end beams first.
The first winner of Nostalgia Funny Car went to veteran racer Randy Walls, as his final round 6.75 beat out Bob Godfrey's 8.61. Dale Pulde's involvement in the new class could hardly go unnoticed, as he tuned Dan Horan's vintage Mustang Funny Car to a 6.18 at 238.03 mph round one victory over Mike Tucso, who managed a respectable, but losing 6.49 et at 218.49 mph. I think it's safe to say that War Eagle Racing is going to be a very prominent player in the Nostalgia Funny Car wars in 2004.
Although drag racing is the main focus at March Meet, there is also tons of swap meet space, as well as a large number of vendors in the mid-way. Everything from vintage high performance parts, to collectible magazines and t-shirts could be found.
In keeping with the nostalgia theme of March Meet, Dave West brought out his beautiful re-creation of the Beebe & Mulligan Top Fuel dragster to heat up the tires. A quick burnout was just what the capacity crowed needed to keep them on their feet. If that wasn't enough, NHRA Funny Car pilot, Cory Lee, drove the original "Pandemonium V" Funny Car through a seemingly perfect '60s-style burnout. That car hasn't seen the quarter-mile in some 30 years. Thanks go out to Greg Sullivan for hauling this awesome piece of Funny Car history all the way from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The great thing about nostalgia drag racing events is that you never know just what you might see on any given day. So, I guess it's safe to say I will not only be back next year, but I'll be looking forward to the next Goodguys VRA drag race.
For more information on the Goodguys' drag race season of events, go to www.good-guys.com.
Other Class Winners Include:
Lee Jennings - B Fuel Main
Bill Wayne - A Fuel
Scott Parks - Jr. Fuel
Ed Moss - AA GAS
Agustin Herrea - A Gas
Famoso's famed tower may not be the tallest or most technologically advanced, but it is "Old School" and that's important at this event. |
Sean Bellemeur's 245.76 mph was good enough for top speed of the meet. |
Vintage Ford Fairlanes make the coolest A/FX cars. Just check out this awesome Thunderbolt. |
Ed Moss took top honors in AA/Gas with a final round 6.72 over Jim Taylor's 7.361. |
B/Gas has a variety of cars including this awesome blown Nova wagon. |
The racing was close as ever in the always exciting Gas classes. |
Here is another example of the gorgeous Gassers in attendance. |
Randy Walls made his presence known as the very first Goodguys VRA Funny Car event winner. |
Dan Horan Jr. will be a strong contender in future events as he had low ET and Top Speed of the event in the Funny Car class. |
Undeniably, this was one of the most awesome looking Gassers on the grounds. |
"The Sheriff" made it to the final round only to be denied the win by Jim Murphy |
Cory Lee took advantage of the weekend to take a spin in Greg Sullivan's Pandemonium V Funny Car. |
The stands were full as far as the eye can see. |
Mark Mahood made a strong showing, but broke before staging in the semi-final round. |
Lil' Nate has been to many March Meets, but can only now be fully appreciated as a top competitor in the Funny Car class. |
Here's this year's March Meet winner Jim Murphy. |
A staple on the Nostalgia Top Fuel circuit is famed raisin farmer and veteran drag racer Denver Schutz. |
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