Legendary Dragstrips and the Men Who Ran Them is the Topic of a Panel Discussion at the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum, Sat., Apr. 17
The tracks are long gone, but the titans who ran them are still here and they're coming together for a special panel discussion on Sat., Apr. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.
C.J. "Pappy" Hart of Orange County International Raceway, Steve Gibbs from Irwindale Dragway, Harry Hibler from San Fernando, Mike Jones from Orange County, Don Rackemann from Saugus, Fontana and Riverside and Blackie Gejeian from Fresno will talk about the famous tracks that made up the roots of drag racing. The program is titled, "The Men Who Ran Dragstrips We Knew and Loved."
The panel, hosted by legendary NHRA Announcer and Dallas track operator Dave McClelland, will include presentations on the famous dragstrips, a question and answer session, autograph opportunities and a tour of the Museum, including the extended exhibit, "100 Years of Ford Racing Heritage." Door prizes and a light buffet brunch are also included in the $20 per person ticket fee.
"This event follows the wildly successful 'Brunch with Art & Alex and Friends' panel discussion we had back in December," said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Parks NHRA Museum. "That sold out and people are still talking about it."
To purchase tickets, which will be held at "Will Call," fans can contact Karen Shaffer at 909/622-8562 by Apr. 9th.
Named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 60 and older, $3 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five.
The Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit www.nhra.com/museum.