Cacklefest Notes. April 23, 2010

To: All Cacklefest Participants

From: Steve Gibbs

Following serious incidents at Bowling Green , Bakersfield , and most recently the 50th NHRA Winternationals, incidents that resulted in personal injuries, it has become obvious that a more stringent process be implemented for Cacklefest activity. Please refer to the attached document, for regulations and procedures that will be in effect starting at Bowling Green. You will find that most cars are already in compliance. We simply must have the proper equipment on all cars, to insure that clutches can be completely disengaged, and engines can be shut off.

The one rule that is not included in this document is that of "Common Sense". Too often we have seen teams make serious errors in judgment; engine restarts that result in hydraulic explosion, pushing too fast, stopping in front of traffic flow, burnouts in congested areas, etc., etc. These are the types of needless incidents we simply cannot afford. While it is true that we have some "inexperienced" participants in this program, the fact is, that most of the incidents have involved seasoned racers.

I believe that the Cacklefest phenomenon has been a great thing for the preservation of drag racing history, and for providing an arena for many veteran racers to get back into the sport. We need to deal with our collective problems if it is to survive.

Cacklefest Pre-Event Inspection

Effective immediately, To be implemented at National Hot Rod Reunion , Bowling Green, Kentucky, June 18-29, 2010

Prior to any engine starts at major Cacklefest events, including National and California Hot Rod Reunions, all participating cars must have complied with a pre-event inspection. Inspections will be conducted by experienced NHRA accepted personnel.

Proper Waivers and Releases must be signed prior to any engine starts - both static and push start.

1. General: All vehicles must be in good working order, with all components in proper mechanical condition including frame construction, brakes, steering, wheels and tires, etc.

2. Ignition/Magneto: Must have functional, positive action, ON/OFF switch located in driver's compartment capable of de-energizing the entire ignition system. Driver must be able to easily access and operate ignition switch when seated in normal driving position, with all belts secured. "Momentary contact" switch prohibited.

Magneto switch is to be used to shut off engine only if fuel shut off does not function properly.

3. Throttle / Linkage: Each car must have a foot throttle incorporating a positive acting return spring attached directly to the carburetor/injector throttle arm. A positive stop or override prevention must be used to keep linkage from passing over center and sticking in an open position. System must be free of binding.

4. Fuel Shut Off / Cable: Each car must be equipped with a fully functional, quick action, fuel shut off valve. Valve must be positioned at the outlet/pressure side of fuel pump. Valve must be controlled with positive action device/cable located where driver has full ON/OFF control.

Driver must be able to easily access and operate fuel shut off system when seated in normal driving position, with all belts secured.

5. Clutch / Linkage: All cars must be equipped with automotive type clutch, using single or multiple disks. Fully centrifugal type clutches (Crowerglide, etc.) prohibited**. Use of supplemental counterweights prohibited. Spring pressure is not to exceed normal operation requirement to start engine. Clutch adjustment settings must provide for full disengagement at any and all RPM.

Clutch linkage must be in proper working order, and provide driver with full range of control. Driver must have adequate leverage/control of clutch pedal to easily and fully disengage clutch at any and all RPM.

**Cars equipped with fully centrifugal clutches would be allowed to perform static start only if driveline is fully disconnected.

6. Driveline: Drivelines must be completely disengaged during any static starts when drive wheels are touching the ground either by disconnecting coupler, or use of an "In and out" device. Exception would be when undergoing a mandated tech inspection static start - in a designated, secure area.

Vehicles not equipped with driveline disconnect devices must have drive wheels off the ground using fixed position jack stand devices (not a floor jack), for static starts in populated areas.

7. Apparel: During any push start procedures, including practice starts, drivers must wear full apparel, including jacket, gloves, helmet, mask, and goggles. Full length pants required.

8. Belts: Seat belts and shoulder harnesses must be in good condition, and fully utilized during any push start procedure.

9. Drivers: All drivers participating in push start Cacklefest events must have demonstrated full capability to operate car, with multiple starts required to be included in feature events. Drivers may be asked to demonstrate ability to locate, and operate, all controls - even when blindfolded.

Drivers of all Cacklefest cars, and drivers of all push vehicles must possess valid State Driver's License.

10. Fire Extinguisher: All participants making static starts, must have functional all purpose fire extinguisher near the car at any time engine is running. Extinguishers must be carried in all push vehicles.

11. Pushboards - A primary concern is that of incompatible pushboard to pushbar interface. Make sure the pushboard is securely mounted, of adequate size and height and of a hard surface. Soft wood or thin metal over a soft backing is not advised. An excellent choice is, ¼ inch or thicker polypropylene plate over a rigid backing.

Supplemental Information
2010 California Hot Rod Reunion:

In order to participate at the 2010 California Hot Rod Reunion push start Cacklefest, each team owner and/or driver will be required to attend a pre-event instructional meeting on Thursday, October 14 at 4:00 p.m. at the track. Teams not attending this meeting will not be included in Saturday's Cacklefest activity.

All Cacklefest participants meeting technical requirements will be given time for practice starts, starting at 12 noon on Thursday.

Tom Hanna is Grand Marshal; Online Ticket Sales begin June 17th. Buy early and receive a goody bag!

BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. – From dragster builders to drag strip kings, this year’s group of California Hot Rod Reunion Honorees played a major role in the early days of drag racing. The 2010 Honorees are Bill Bagshaw, Don Long, Al “Mousie” Marcellus, Tom Prufer, and the Steinegger and Eshenbaugh Team. Leading these legends to the annual speed festival is Grand Marshal Tom Hanna. The public is invited to a free Reunion Honoree Reception on Friday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bakersfield, CA.

Get your tickets early and receive a goody bag! Online ticket sales begin June 17, 2010 and are available for purchase online at http://store.nhra.com or by calling 1-800-884-NHRA (6472); outside the U.S. call 626-250-2497.

The Auto Club has been a presenting sponsor since 1995; members who show their Auto Club card will receive an admission discount. Children 16 and under are free.

The 19th California Hot Rod Reunion presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California is set for October 15-17, 2010 at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway in McFarland, CA. The Reunion is a three-day festival of nostalgic drag racing, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm and attracts more than 25,000 spectators. For more information about the California Hot Rod Reunion, visit www.museum.nhra.com.

# # #

Here is a preview of the restoration of the Harris-Robins-Mason "Bad Hombre" twin engine Chevy fueler driven by Jack Harris. In the Fall of 1970 Harris ordered this car from Mark Williams, a twin engine configuration that would house a pair of fuel burning small block Chevys. With Lyle Mason's and Bruno Perry's engine in the front and Dennis Saenger's and Bill Robins' engine in the rear the "Bad Hombre II" was not only unique but very competitive in Top Fuel. But this timing for this venture was ill fated as the face of drag racing changed in the next two seasons to a rear engine world.

Jack Harris (with sunglasses) currently runs a Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster and Bill Robins is part of the "Utah Posse" (the crew). Check out the wild pants! Harris hopes to have the car completed for the 2010 CHRR.

PROJECT 1320 produced by Quarter Mile Entertainment is an episodic documentary which will capture the history of drag racing - from the post World War II period to the end of the 1980s.

PROJECT 1320 will feature interviews of the surviving pioneers as they tell the story from their unique, personal point of view. Some of today's heroes will be featured, but it will focus on yesterday's legends as they tell of their experiences and explain the Who, What, Why, When, Where and How of the sport's early days and how it grew. You will also see how a multi-billion dollar industry - the performance automotive aftermarket - grew with the sport as ingenious racers built new parts to make their race cars go faster, and then sold them to their fellow competitors.

Drag racing fans can get directly involved with the PROJECT 1320 effort by becoming a member of "FRIENDS OF PROJECT 1320".

You get:
-- A PROJECT 1320 T-shirt, Cap and Hat Pin.
-- PROJECT 1320 Boxed DVD sets at discounted pricing.
-- The PROJECT 1320 website (www.Project1320.com) "Members Only" section.
-- Photos and movies from fans and old racers which will rekindle many memories.
-- As a special addition, you will also see actual interview pieces of each interviewee before the documentary is even released.
-- Join with a community of fans in the website's social network area sharing your personal recollections and thoughts with others around the world.

PROJECT 1320 will feature the important developments of each decade, how the pro classes came to be, the innovations in performance parts, the changes in safety and how drag races were conducted. You'll learn about how the automakers and Fortune 500 companies used the sport to market their products. Plus many more areas as PROJECT 1320 unfolds!

Contact: Traci Hrudka
Quarter Mile Entertainment, LLC
Phone: 440.888.0088
Hrudka@sbcglobal.net (OR)
Steve Cole - 330.725.5462
scole@4writewords.com

Parma Heights, Ohio -Racing fans and automotive enthusiasts have long had a desire to learn about the birth of the sport from the legends and heroes of the formative years.
To this point, there has been a patchwork of efforts but without an integrated approach to tell the story of how men and women with mechanical talent, fearless determination and skill built the cars and events to capture the glory of being the quickest and the fastest down 1320 feet of asphalt.

The focus of Quarter Mile Entertainment LLC (QME) and its Project 1320 is to capture first person narratives about the life and times of these early heroes…from the period immediately after World War II through to the beginning of the "modern era". The narratives of the sport's pioneers will be supported with still images and home movies of the period to deliver the "Who, What, When, Where, Why" of the times.

At the heart of the project is the goal to produce a high quality documentary film centering on the individuals, manufacturers, sanctioning bodies and the behind the scenes people…what it took to bring this great sport to its current level that can be divided into segments suitable for multi-part TV series use. The individuals and manufacturers who will be a part of this series will include many household names but will also include many of the "lesser-knowns" whose contributions have faded in our minds, but who helped launch the sport, nurtured it through its early growth and finally saw it become a major motorsport. The goal is to place the series on a cable network to expose the greatest number of viewers to why and how this sport has grown in popularity.

"Our greatest concern is to capture the stories and personal perspectives of the legends of the sport that are still living," says Traci Hrudka, chairman of Quarter Mile Entertainment. "We have lost a tremendous number of these people over the years, and time is running out to capture those oral histories in a digital format. If we ever want to do this, now is the time!"

The initial effort will be to provide an overview of the historical perspective of the sport - the key people and moments…the passion and the blood, sweat and tears it took to evolve the sport from a grassroots, never quit, "run whatcha brung" level to the point where corporate America and thousands of racers are involved on a weekly basis. It will also touch on how successful racers became successful business owners, supporting the racers with the products needed to get the finish line quicker and faster.

The blueprint for Project 1320 calls for a breaking down of the sport's dramatic growth…by decades, the evolution of today's major classes of competition, plus a look at the growth of the racing parts aftermarket, the influence of automaker participation and the support of corporate America, the historic race tracks and their owners and how the ideas of a small handful of men and women created the sanctioning bodies that have guided the sport.

The early grassroots support of Project 1320 has been amazing, fed by a word of mouth, internet-based network of old racers. A significant number of fans and racers have volunteered their home movies and pictures to this project. These images and movies will be digitized and archived for future use, as well as the first person interviews. The archives will provide much of the resource material for the subsequent project episodes.

Project 1320 will be seeking both corporate and grassroots support to document drag racing's historic moments and personalities. The "Friends of Project 1320" program will soon be launched to allow individuals to help produce this undertaking, and to build additional support.

The Board of Directors of QME hope the project will generate even more support by fans and racers who uncover their personal archives of yesterday and share it with future generations of fans and racers.

The Board of Directors of Quarter Mile Entertainment LLC consists of: Traci Hrudka (Chairman), Harry Hibler, Don Garlits, Steve Cole and Wayne Wolfe. The Board of Directors is assisted by an Advisory Board of Wally Booth, Darwin Doll, Don Ewald, Carl Olson, Stephen Krystek and Bill Pratt.

NOTE: The Project 1320 website at www.project1320.com is currently under construction. The target launch date will be the first week of June, 2009. The present unofficial home of the project is www.project1320.ning.com.