The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum announced it will host the inaugural New England NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in September 2013. Destined to be one of the largest gatherings of vintage drag racers and hot rodders in the northeastern region, the New England NHRA Hot Rod Reunion will take place at the historic New England Dragway in Epping, N.H., Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 12-14, 2013.
"With the storied New England Dragway and vibrant hot rodding culture in the northeast, the New England NHRA Hot Rod Reunion is a perfect fit," said Larry Fisher, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. "We're looking forward to celebrating the role of hot rodding and nostalgia drag racing in the area and providing fans with a stellar Reunion experience."
The family-friendly Reunion is a three day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. Race fans will enjoy rubbing elbows with many heroes of drag racing's past and enjoy watching the heart-pounding nostalgia drag racing action on the track throughout the event. Fans will be able to cruise through the Show 'N Shine area featuring hundreds of beautiful hot rods, customs and collectible cars. Saturday night's grand-finale Cacklefest(r) show promises to bring tears to your eyes as dozens of nitro-burning historic, front-engine dragsters and other classic race cars are push-started and fired up on the dragstrip just like in the '50s and '60s. The roar of the engines and flame-throwing headers creates an amazing symphony of "cackling" sights and sounds that only old iron motors can produce on nitro.
Legendary New England drag racer Jimmy King of Rhode Island has been named grand marshal of the inaugural event. King and the late Don Marshall comprised one of the best NHRA Top Fuel drag racing teams in the East Coast during the 1960s and 70s. Today, King continues to relive his glory days of drag racing as crew chief of the Helger Bros. Racing team of Little Compton, R.I. King, along with the Helger Bros. Team, is eager to head to their favorite track, New England Dragway, for the first-ever New England NHRA Hot Rod Reunion.
The New England area has a long and storied drag racing history, with the sport making its debut at the old Newington Airport in 1953. The New England Dragway was opened in September 1966 and became an NHRA member track in 2011.
"All of us at New England Dragway are thrilled about hosting the Museum's Hot Rod Reunion in 2013," said Joe Lombardo, New England Dragway general manager. "It is without a doubt the most prestigious nostalgia event in the country and we're honored to be chosen as the third location for this prestigious event. We are in the process of making some significant improvements to our facility. Our goal is to ensure everyone who takes part in this event comes away with a positive experience and eager to return."
Ticket sales for the inaugural event begin May 9, 2013 online at www.nhratix.com or by calling 1-800-884-NHRA (6472). Auto Club member discounts are available. Look for the AAA Northern New England affiliate at the event for membership info. Children under 15 are admitted free at the gate when accompanied by paying adult. Visit the Museum's website for information at www.NHRAmuseum.org.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California is an independent California non-profit 501 (c) (3) organizations dedicated to celebrating the impact of motorsports on American culture. Neighboring the historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the Museum collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets the vehicles, stories and artifacts that represent America's affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms. For more information, visit: www.NHRAmuseum.org.