Bakersfield hot-rod reunion.

[Dave Haggas]

I will be coming to California to visit this event on 12-14th October.
Any one here going to this drag-racing event?Or does anyone know the area as I will be there for about a week.

[Dreamcast18]

If you drive 115 miles south on the 5, you will find a whole bunch of Prowlin' folks in LaLa Land :wink:

[Jim S]

Or stop at 60 miles South for a couple of owners!

If you want to know about the oilfields and refineries in the area, THAT I can help with. :rll:

Otherwise, not much to see in Bakersfield. Buck Owens bar is all I can think of.

Where are you flying into? Most likely LAX? Maybe we can arrange something.

[Dave Haggas]

Or stop at 60 miles South for a couple of owners!

If you want to know about the oilfields and refineries in the area, THAT I can help with. :rll:

Otherwise, not much to see in Bakersfield. Buck Owens bar is all I can think of.

Where are you flying into? Most likely LAX? Maybe we can arrange something.
Hi Jim,
My Buddy and I will be flying into LAX.You are quite right.Do you have any intention in going to the event,after all you are local?I have to fly 3000 miles or whatever it is to go!

[Dave Haggas]

If you drive 115 miles south on the 5, you will find a whole bunch of Prowlin' folks in LaLa Land :wink:
What the heck is Lala land!?:confused:

[Dreamcast18]

It can mean alot of things. Generally, it means the fantasy-like so-called culture of Los Angeles (L.A., L.A.= la la) To be lost in the unreal.

I'm moving this thread to SoCal Events section, you might get more views there from SoCal folks.

It would also help if you can post a link to the event website if there is any?

What the heck is Lala land!?:confused:

[Krzy Kat]

What the heck is Lala land!?:confused:

Isn't that where Michael Jackson lived and sang "Its a small world" to all the little boys? :rll:

[Jim S]

Here is a link to the event at Famosa http://museum.nhra.com/chrr.asp?Year=2007 .

Not going to be able to make this one (at least yet). Have some tentative plans (involving a 33 Chevy coupe still sitting in Kansas) that clash.

But, the Hot Rod Reunion is always a blast. Let me know when you plan on arriving and if you have some spare time. I can meet you half way to Bakersfield.

Jim

[ME & MY KITTY]

I'd Like To Come Out There But It's Too Far A Drive For Me Besides The Wife Said I'm Out Of Vacation Time This Year.

[Dave Haggas]

Thanks for all your replys and help guys!

[Dreamcast18]

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=246&StoryID=232163

Auto Club Famoso Raceway
Friday, September 7, 2007
Mooneyes Dragster Debuts at California Hot Rod Reunion Oct. 12-14

http://www.whowon.com/images/yellowHR_320x1.gif

by Michael Hollander
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Mooneyes Dragster, made famous as a racer and a Revell model in 1962, will be at the upcoming 16th Annual Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Holley, Oct. 12-14 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway. The car will be on display as part of the Justice Brothers Spotlight on the U.S. Drag Teams.

"The Mooneyes Dragster was one of the first model kits I ever put glue to," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the non-profit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Auto. Club of So. Calif., which produces and benefits from the event. "No doubt a million others kids and fans did just the same promoting the Mooneyes brand into millions of American homes."

According to Thacker, the car was developed by Mooneyes founder, Dean Moon and debuted in 1961. "The Mooneyes Dragster had a Dragmaster chassis (Moon was a dealer), and was built to promote and test Moon products. It quickly established itself as a winning combination and even graced the cover of Hot Rod magazine. With a Potvin (front) blown 300-inch Chevy it went 147 mph in 10.29 seconds on its first outing with Dante Duce at the wheel. Moon acquired Potvin in 1962 but for some reason decided to move the blower atop the motor and with Gary Cagle driving, it went 153.06 in 9.52 to take Middle Eliminator at the NHRA Winternationals."

As quickly as it burst upon the scene, the Mooneyes gas Dragster was surpassed by developments – everybody went back to using fuel. However, the car got a second life when Duce took it to England with Mickey Thompson in 1963 and helped initiate the U.S. Drag Team tours of 1964 and '65. Those teams are being honored with the Justice Brothers Spotlight award at the Reunion.

The original dragster was on display for years at the former Briggs Cunningham Automotive Museum in Costa Mesa, Calif., and now sits on a turntable at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla. Meanwhile, it was faithfully recreated by the new owners of Moon Eyes USA Shige Suganuma and Chico Kodama. Honored at the 2003 Reunion, Suganuma unfortunately wrecked the first replica in Japan but quickly decided to rebuild the car and had, in fact, contracted Dode Martin of Dragmaster fame to replicate the original chassis. With the front and rear ends hung and the motor slotted into place the car is ready to debut at this year's Reunion.

The 16th annual Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Holley, is part of the museum's Hot Rod Heritage Series 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.

Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods, classics, customs and muscle cars of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.

A three-day credential for admission to all events is available for $55 by calling 800/884-NHRA (6472) or by completing a form found in the Reunion section of the Museum's web site. Auto Club members receive a $5 discount off Adult credential prices. Credentials include a goodie bag with a dash plaque, lanyard and event program. Children 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Daily general admission tickets/pit passes will be available at Auto Club Famoso Raceway gate, (www.famosoraceway.com). Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Auto Club discount is also available at the gate: $2 off Friday and Saturday and, $1 off Sunday.

The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:

• NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some of the sport's most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, classic Funny Cars and Super Stocks.

• Hundreds of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, street rods, custom cars, rat rods, classics and muscle cars. "Memory Lane" will have a display of nostalgic race cars. The Justice Bros. Spotlight Award will fall on the U.S. Drag Teams that in 1964 and '65 introduced drag racing to the U.K. The teams included Don Garlits and Tommy Ivo.

• Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion Reception, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bakersfield, Fri., Oct. 12, from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. Open to everyone at no charge, it's a tribute to the Reunion's Grand Marshal, legendary drag racing champion Ed "The Ace" McCulloch and Honorees John Buttera, Childs & Albert, Gary "Red" Greth, Mike Jones and Mike Kuhl & Carl Olson. The reception offers a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing's heroes.

• Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front- engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the "old days."

• The swap meet and Manufacturer's Midway are filled with vendors and manufacturers making it easier than ever to find that hot rod part or special souvenir.

A full activities schedule, entry forms, tickets and more information are available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com. Requests may be emailed to themuseum@nhra.com.

Proceeds of the Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Holley directly benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif. The 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, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non- members is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. Auto Club members receive discounts on admission and at the gift shop: show your card and save.

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., Pomona, Calif. 91768. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.

[24kinmotion]

Good to know the detail. Thanks D.:tu: