Saturday was forecast to be the
hottest day of the weekend and it didn't disappoint. Early on
most everyone who didn't have to do anything - didn't. Shade,
rest and lots of water was the order of the day.
Adam Sorokin was one of many
who stopped by Tom Hanna's put to admire his work of art.
Steve Carbone and Ed "The
Mole" Donovan were there in spirit with the Creitz &
Donovan restoration (below).
Next to Hanna was the
popular Wale & Candies resto.
The NHRA Motorsports Museum hauled
3 cars to the show - the Howard Cams Rattler, Safford-Gaide-Ratican
and the Pure Heaven II AA/FA.
One of the cars making its Cacklefest
debut was the Hooligan AA/FD restored by Kevin McDonald. This
is a real beauty featuring a Logghe chassis and Al Bergler body.
Health problems are forcing McDonald to sell his dream car so
if you're in the market for a turn-key cacklecar contact Kevin
at 330-645-9552.
Roy Steffey & Al Bergler
stopped by to visit and relive their mid 60s craftsmanship. Both
also autographed the inside of the seat.
Here is what looks like a great
cacklecar project. Its the real deal... Jack Hart's 1970 "Golddigger"
AA/FD that was driven by Billy Campbell. It looks to be in great
shape. This was a real beauty in its day.
Late afternoon they fired up
the Wale & Candies car. This puppy really belches the flames.
Norbe Locke was on hand with
his "Grandpas Toy". Norbe and his wife go to many events
over the year and have a ball doing it. Nice way to spend your
retirement.
The Bronson Spec. at
rest. Check out the cool hold downs on their canopy.
Last years "Belle of the
Ball" the Stephens & Venables AA/FD was back and still
looking great. The owners of this beauty are Rip & Natalie
Wiley from Eads, Tennessee. It took them 4 years to get the restoration
done - and done right. "Tennessee Bo-Weevil" driver
Preston Davis built the 392 fuel hemi.
Rip has been collecting autographs
on this nose piece for two years and its got a load of heavy
hitters represented.
Next to the Stephens and Venables
car was Raymond Godman and his two Tennessee Bo-Weevil cars.
Both the funny car and dragster are dead nuts original and have
been in Ray's care since they retired from the track.
Godman and his long time driver
and friend, Preston Davis work out a game plan.
The Bergler camp was
its usual class act.
No idea who's car this
is but its very nice and appears to need only paint.
Butch Maas warming up
the Creitz & Donovan car.
Tom Hanna warms up his
beauty.
Cars did practice starts
though out the day.
Preston Davis unloading
the Bo-Weevil flopper... and then gettin' in.
Now here's a rose between two
thorns. The world famous T.C. Lemon and ex-top fuel driver Jim
Walther with Natalie Wiley.
Walther was in the seat of Ray
Godman's Bo-Weevil fueler for Cacklefest. Below he accomplishes
his obligatory practice push start prior to the Saturday night
show.
Dick Venables warmed up the Stephens
& Venables car with son Dickie working the injectors .
Larry Dixon Sr. was back in the
seat of his 1967 ride - the beautiful Smirnoff fueler. He to
had to do a test push start.
Saturday afternoon Steve Gibbs
held the Cacklefest meeting that required all drivers (race and
push cars) and on track crew members to attend.
Arguably the biggest news to
hit BG on Saturday was the presence of NHRA Big Show star, Larry
Dixon Jr. who would be in the seat of another of his dads rides
from the 60s - the Howard Cams Rattler for Cacklefest. The whole
deal was overseen by one of the original car owners, Danny Porsche.
LD signed autographs
and chatted with fans. Very popular is he.
Brett Johansen, who, along with
Nick Arias III restored the Rattler was also in the mix. His
dad Jerry was also part of the Ratter gang. Johansen attached
this tiny video camera on the injector to record Jr's first push
start.
For the first time in
his life, Dixon climbed into he seat of at front engine dragster.
In the staging lanes
under what was shade that was a rare commodity.
Jr. was joined by his
Dad who wanted to be in the push car.
Gibbs made sure he was
securely strapped in.
Like an old pro, Dixon
lit the Rattler without issue.
Back to the pits - get
ready for tonight.
Much has been said about the
incredible model Ralph Kitron built for Steve Gibbs. Using odd
parts including but certainly not limited to a car antenna, a
metal rain gutter, inner tube and a Barby Doll, Ralph worked
all winter recreating the Swamp Fox in his own image. We've included
some shots already but it deserves more. Here is the 1:6 scale
Fox up close and personal.
On Friday Ralph had the car on
display in his "pit" and was gracious enough to give
me a dissection and extensive description of the materials he
used and all the trick detailed working parts.
First off was a demonstration
of the car in action - all done by remote control.
With the lid off the
case Ralphie starts his show.
The engine, the only thing he
did not make from scratch was the engine from the blower down.
It is a GMP 1:6 392 fuel hemi. However, he did modify the valve
covers and injector to be Swamp Fox correct.
The detail on the chassis, especially
the front end and steering is incredible. Buttera would have
been proud.
With the car back together, Ralph
fired her up again. The audio tape is a burnout and complete
run.
The functional christmas tree
is in sync with the audio and the rear wheels turn at the hit.
The headers light up and the car yanks the front wheel at the
60' mark. Way cool!
Like said earlier, this really
has to be seen to be appreciated in full. There is no word yet
on where Gibbs will house this beauty but who knows, it may find
its way to the CHRR.
