I will first offer an apology for the lack of coverage of the Sunday static Cacklefest. Here's what we have and then its onto some random people and pit shots.

Tony Thacker – Director Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Tom Compton – President, CEO - NHRA, Tom McKernan – CEO - Automobile Club of Southern California,Steve Gibbs – Retired, Greg Sharp – Curator – Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Dave Mandella and family were on hand with his restored Shirley championship car from 1977.

Kenny Youngblood who had the input shaft disengage for the push start made up for it on Sunday.

Robin and Orah Mae Millar chose the Gassers Geezers for their first annual DragCARTOONS award.

Peter Broadribb heading back to the pits in his Moody's Garage D/G which is the only door car in the static Cacklefest. He was grandfathered in and rightfully so.

Harry Hibler in the Waterman & Hampshire heading back to the pits. Hibler and some other cars that did the push start on Saturday came back to do the static on Sunday.

The Addict failed to fire on its push start so Dwight Salisbury joined the static folks on Sunday.

Here are some random shots from over the weekend. Some have IDs, some don't and some are obvious.

In the memory of "Pit Crew Pete" Starrett the Western Eng. (aka Little Fuller) was on display.

After some medical problems, it was great to see LV out and looking well here with Dave West.

Some major history here ... Ray Lake, Danny Dan Broussard and Dode Martin.

In the Frantic 4 pit area Norman and the gang were doing guest fire-ups all weekend.

It was really great to see Art Chrisman out and looking like his old self. Art, along with his family, won the Justice Bros. Spotlight Award and shared their booth were Chrisman was on hand to sign his book.

Rick MacDonald was overseeing several cacklecars over the weekend caught a well deserved nap.

Folks with Tarzan were with the Hundley and Boggs Cacklefest AA/FD car. Next to Tarzan is original owner Joe Boggs, then current owner Marty Harrison, and to far right is builder and driver J. Ed Horton. They brought the car all the way from Greenville, South Carolina.

Roland Kleinsorge, Ronnie Hampshire, Tommy Allen, No ID, No ID and Sam Chastain.

Cacklefest Central. Starting this year the Cacklefest people had their own registration and credentials booth.

If you get at chance in the future, stop and visit the mobile NHRA Motorsports Museum rig.

Dan "Buzz" Broussard with part of the Bob Creitz photo collection. "Spider" Razon in the trailer and Louie Grignetti between them.

Thursday wrapped up with a surprise birthday party for Gwen McWilliams staged by her bud, Pam Conrad - setting her up here.

Come to find out there were several October birthdays within the guests including Don Ewald and Cynthia Carpenter.

The long distance award went to Ross Preen and family who loaded the restored "Banshee" AA/FD onto a ship in Australia, packed their bags, got on a jet and made a dream come true.

Gary "Mr. C" Cochran got his start in this injected roadster in 1964. It was sold when he moved up to Top Gas and after all these years was found a few months ago. These guys plan to completely restore it in time for the 2012 CHRR.

Throughout the weekend this prominent tribute to the late, great Bakersfield Top Fuel team of James Warren, Roger Coburn and Marvin Miller could be seen by all next to the tower.

The backdrop banner was the work of J.R. Martinez and was open for bids, the proceeds going to the Kern Co. Alzheimer’s Association. The banner was bought for $3,200 by Mike Aaby, owner of the restored W-C-M front engine car featured in the exhibit.

 

As Grand Marshall and Cacklefest overseer, Steve "Hook" Gibbs had a full plate all weekend but come Sunday he took the time to have some fun for himself.

 

As a special surprise, John Ewald had the cowl of his Mastercar top fuel dragster wrapped to honor Gibbs. The original plan was to have him do the Cacklefest push start Saturday night but his cat herding responsibilities trumped that idea. Then he was going to push down to start the Sunday program, but that fell to tradition when the Speed Sport roadster fired the opening salvo. However, Sunday afternoon had more than few windows of opportunity and that's when Steve took the leap into his firesuit.

At the spot where he sent the cackelcars down the night before, Ewald and crew got Hook all strapped in.

Right to the end Gibbs went old school. He has seen drivers head back to the pits sitting on the roll bar a thousand time, so why not put the icing on his ride by following suit.

How about the queen of funny cars in at Top Fuel dragster? On Sunday "Jungle Pam" Hardy chimed into the Ewald Bros. BankAmericar and got her first fire up in a long car. In a word, she LOVED it.

Special Holiday Price - Free Shipping

For those who missed this, there will be another one. Mark your calendars for the 21st NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion on Oct. 19-21, 2012.

GET YOURS NOW --- FREE SHIPPING

Auto Club Famoso Raceway 2012 March Meet Tickets On-Sale Now

Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Partnership with TheFOAT.com - Bakersfield internet site will handle all online ticket pre-sales for the 2012 March Meet.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2011) – Fans looking to buy online tickets for the 2012 March Meet (Mar. 1-4), can do so at  www.TheFOAT.com. According to Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet, the racetrack has partnered with the motor-themed internet and social web site to sell 2012 March Meet Tickets on-line.

“We used the TheFOAT.com for last year’s March Meet and they did a great job,” said Bowser. “They can handle the volume of ticket sales quickly and efficiently and give the fans an opportunity to get event tickets without waiting at the gate. Tickets can still be purchased at the gate during the event, but race fans can get their tickets early and avoid purchase lines at the gate.” Besides handling online tickets for Auto Club Famoso, The FOAT – which stands for “The Fastest of All Time” – is an internet-based “motor” community site, according to Mike Hashim, the company’s president. “The FOAT connects motor enthusiasts with one another and businesses using a unique social commerce platform. We're honored to be aligned with Blake and the iconic Auto Club Famoso Raceway. We are excited to start helping them sell tickets for the 2012 March Meet.” “Now that the race has been expanded to four days, there are several affordable ticket options available to fans and their families,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet, now in its 54th year.

According to Bowser, race fans can purchase a “Super 4-Day Event Pass” for $100 online. There are also specially priced passes for three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday: $75) and two days (Saturday and Sunday:
$55).

Box office tickets for the event will go on sale March 1 at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Thurs., Mar. 1; $25 for Fri., Mar. 2; $30 for Sat., Mar. 3; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 4. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $10 each day and kids 5 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

Other prices announced include, camping: $105 for all four day; VIP parking: $50 (good for the entire event); and VIP four-day Quarter Mile Courtyard seating: adults $165, children $105 (space is limited).

Bowser said March Meet tickets are on line now. Race information, including down-loadable forms for race entries, car show registration and camping will be posted soon at www.autoclubfamosoraceway.com and the Auto Club Famoso Facebook page

The Kern County Racing Association operates Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet, which is recognized as the Mecca of nostalgia drag racing. For more details, visit Auto Club Famoso Raceway