Media Contact: Bill Groak, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4940 bgroak@pcgcampbell.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POMONA, Calif. (May 1, 2008) - The relationship between the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, and the prestigious Good Festival of Speed continues to prosper. The Museum has been supplying cars to the event for a few years, according to Tony Thacker, executive director of the Parks Museum. "We took Ak Miller's El Caballo over in 2005," he said, "and last year we shipped the Mickey Thompson Challenger along with several other significant land speed record holders. This year, it's the turn of the dragsters so we're coordinating the shipment of 11 cars."

The 3-day festival runs from July 11-13 and is held at the Goodwood House in West Sussex, England.

"Thacker said the first American dragsters shipped to England were the Mooneyes dragster and Mickey Thompson's Harvey Aluminum Special in 1963. "My dad took me to see them and I'm honored to be a part of this celebration of American horsepower. And the Mooneyes dragster will be a part of the team returning 45 years after it first raced in the UK."

Other dragsters taking part in the "cricket pitch" display, which will give a snapshot of the history of Top Fuel drag racing, include: Art Chrisman's #25 car, the Glass Slipper, Chrisman's Hustler I, Tommy Ivo's Barnstormer and 4-engined Showboat, the Howard Cams Rattler, The Addict, the Beebe & Mulligan car and the Over The Hill Gang car. It is also expected that "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, who raced in England several times, will ship a car as well.

"To display the land speed cars, Goodwood built a replica of the Bonneville Salt Flats using ground marble imported from Spain," said Thacker. "This year they plan to recreate an early dragstrip, much like Lions, and 'cackle' the dragsters several times throughout the festival. It should be pretty spectacular."

For more information about the Goodwood Festival, visit www.goodwood.co.uk.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California 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 is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. 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. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.

April 3-6 Food Lion AutoFair Friday, March 21, 2008

From Tommy Ivo's legendary "Barnstormer" dragster to Doug Herbert's current 7,000-horsepower NHRA Top Fuel machine, the April 3-6 Food Lion AutoFair at Lowe's Motor Speedway will feature a special display chronicling the history of drag racing.

A dozen vehicles will illustrate how the straight-line sport has progressed from the early 1960s to the modern machines that will christen The Dragway @ Lowe's Motor Speedway Sept. 11-14 during the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals.

In 1962, Ivo teamed with Rod Reppmuller to build the chassis for his first Top Fuel car. It featured a 124-inch wheelbase and was immediately distinguishable from similar models due to front radius rods that stretched nearly five feet. Ivo and Reppmuller hurriedly finished the front-engine dragster and debuted it during a special event that was part of the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle.

The car was the first Top Fuel dragster to cover the quarter-mile in seven seconds when Ivo stopped the timer at 7.99 seconds on Oct. 24, 1962, in San Gabriel, Calif. It was also one of the first dragsters to top 190 mph.

Crisscrossing the country, Ivo drove the car in numerous match races and competition events, earning the sleek machine the nickname "Barnstormer." The dragster also became a movie star in the 1964 cult favorite "Bikini Beach," which featured Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello and included an appearance by Ivo. Ivo continued to win races in the car until it was retired in 1965.

By comparison, the Top Fuel machine Herbert will drive in the Sept. 11-14 NHRA Carolinas Nationals has a 300-inch wheelbase, has the engine located behind the driver and is capable of covering the quarter-mile in 4.5 seconds at over 330 mph. The chassis is fabricated from 300 feet of chromoly tubing .

Unlike its predecessor, today's NHRA Top Fuel dragster features a large carbon-fiber wing which produces nearly 6,500 pounds of downforce on the rear tires.

The drag racing display in the Food Lion AutoFair's 3M Car Care Garage will also include:

. Ron Hope's legendary Fuel-Altered entry known as the "Rat Trap;"
. The Croshier, Baltes & Lavato Top Fuel dragster driven in 1964 by Jerry Baltes;
. A pair of S&S Racing gassers driven by Dale Hales and Gene Altizer;
. The Howard Cams "Rattler" piloted by Larry Dixon Sr. from 1968 to 1972;
. The Stafford, Gaide & Ratican "Sour Sisters" dragster driven by Kenny Stafford.

In addition to the cars, Hope and Baltes will be on hand during the four-day automotive extravaganza to share their experiences of driving the powerful machines during the sport's formative years.

Longtime NHRA officials Eileen Daniels and Steve Gibbs were instrumental in arranging the drag racing display with three of the cars coming from the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif.

Goodwood "Festival of Speed" to include Cackle Cars at this years event, July 11-13, 2008.

The Festival of Speed is held annually at the 300 year old 13,000 acre estate of the Dukes of Richmond called Goodwood, located 60 miles south of London, England. This prestigious event draws over 150,000 spectators and 600 media representatives from some 200 publications, 13 radio stations and 23 television stations from 28 different countries. The 2008 event will mark the first time that classic Top Fuel Dragsters will be featured.

Cacklefest.com owner Ron Johnson reports that he has received and accepted an invitation from the Earl of March to bring his recreation of the Tommy Ivo "Barnstormer". The Barnstormer was one of two Top Fuel cars on the original 1964 Wally Parks NHRA U. S. Drag Team. Other "Cackle" cars invited include Art Chrisman's Old #25, and the Hustler 1 as well as the Cortopassi and Butler "Glass Slipper”, the Childs and Albert "Addict", the Howard Cams “Rattler”, and Don Garlits and his Swamp Rat. The invitation and acceptance process is currently taking place and until all those accepting the invitations respond, an exact roster of cars will not be available.

The Earl of March says "We plan to cover the cricket pitch with a huge drag strip, then bring together eight to ten of the most famous Top Fuel racers from the last 50 years.....and our aim is to stage a short "cackle fest" two or three times a day with all the dragsters running together to provide a cacophony of noise and power unlike anything the event's audience have ever experienced before".

Details about the entire weekend can be accessed at www.Goodwood.co.uk, and click on motorsports events and then on Festival of Speed.

Related subject: Allard Chrysler dragster restoration - PDF file

Brea, CA (Feb. 29, 2008) - Cacklecar vet John Ewald announced that his 1970, Davis chassied, Gary Ritter driven, Blood, Sweat & Nitro top fuel dragster restoration will debut at the 50th March Meet. I've had the car for almost three years,” said Ewald, “but was in no hurry to restore it. However, after considering the historical significance of the 50th March Meet I put the project into high gear last November. Thanks to Dyda Race Eng., Paint N' Place and my crew chief, Bob Danly the car is done and looking magnificent.”

The BSN car will be among the 14 other cacklecars featured during the upcoming March Meet at he Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield. Although it'll be the only car making its debut, the company it will keep is steeped in history including the Beebe & Mulligan AA/FD, The Yeakel Plymouth Spec. AA/FD, the Vagabond AA/FD, the Frantic Four AA/FD, the Stellings & Hampshire AA/FD and more.

Phoenix, AZ. (Feb. 27, 2008) - On Saturday, April 12 Standard 1320, an internet Nostalgia drag race group, will present its 4th Annual Drag Race and Reunion at Speedworld Dragstrip at Wittman Az , Northwest of Phoenix.

The Feature Event will be an old fashioned, Best of 3 match race, between the front engine Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters of Rick White/Chuck Neal and the Bill Botelho/Mike Patterson dragster driven by Mendy Fry. White and Fry have been in the 5 second range and both are 250 MPH club members.

Flathead and inline dragsters from Colorado and California will join vintage gassers, altereds, funny cars and front engine dragsters vying for honors. A new highlight is a "straight axle" class. Local street rods/customs will add atmosphere, as will the 15 Cacklecars expected to do fireups. Many racers from the early drag race era, including members of the Arizona Drag Race Hall of Fame, will be present.
Track info is accessed at Speed World Dragstrip or call Track office 623-388-0039, Hotline 623-388-2424.

Event info: contact Ron Miller RLMiller@cableone.net H 928-289-4537 C 928-853-2439.

Feb. 25, 2008: From Down Under - "Our Aussie AA/FD has arrived in Los Angeles. It has arrived late so we won’t have time to paint it like we wanted to. We will be at the March Meet as planned as a static display. We plan to bring her back for Cacklefest but it will take a lot of money to get a running nitro engine together. We have produced this poster that we are going to sell for $20. Proceeds will go directly to the restoration of the car. Can you help us promote this poster on your websites. I hope you will all stop by and say G’Day at Bakersfield." Regards, George

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2008) – Five-hundred drivers are signed up to race at the famed March Meet, Mar. 7-9 at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, filling all available race slots. More than 40 drivers remain on the waiting list in hopes of a last-minute opening and a chance to compete in the 50 year celebration and first NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series event.

“The response from racers and race fans has been astounding,” 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. “Everybody wants to be a part of the March Meet because it always delivers excitement and great memories – this year we’ll celebrate 50 years of them.”

Three days of drag racing action will include 30 nostalgic funny cars and 25 nostalgic top fuel cars, which travel a quarter-mile in less time than it takes to read this sentence. Fans, vendors, car show and swap meet entrants can purchase event tickets online at Famoso Raceway or at the track beginning March 3.

“We’re expecting a massive turnout from national and international race-fans, as well as the loyal Bakersfield community,” said Blake. “Fortunately, the Auto Club Famoso Raceway can accommodate even the biggest crowds.”

Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call ‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super 3-Day Passes are now on sale at Famoso Raceway for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.

Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

The Grand Marshals this year are drag racing legends Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen.

The 2008 March Meet is also the inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia racing series.The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008. For more details, visit  Famoso Raceway

Bakersfield born and bred in 1959, the drag race that helped put the city on the map is turning 50 during its 3-day run, Mar. 7-9 at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway.

We’re celebrating 50 years of racing here,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the fabled March Meet. “It’s a historic occasion that all of Bakersfield, Kern County and drag racing can be proud of.”

Half a century ago, Bakersfield was a sleepy oil town best known as the last stop before climbing the “Grapevine” road to Los Angeles. Things changed rapidly when local country singer Buck Owens rose to fame in the late 1950s. At the same time, drag racers from around the country began pouring into Famoso for quarter-mile runs.

The March Meet, originally called the U.S. Fuel and Gas Championships, was spearheaded by the Smokers, a local race club. The Smokers, who began racing at Famoso in 1951, became skeptical of reported times and speeds set in the east by “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. So they invited him to Bakersfield to compete. In March 1959 he did just that. The result was the March Meet, often called the “Woodstock of drag racing.” Although Garlits lost in the first round and Art Chrisman became Top Eliminator, Garlits went on to become the most celebrated drag racer in history and #1 on the NHRA’s Top 50 list. Garlits’ appearance at Famoso spread the fame of the track, March Meet and Bakersfield far and wide.

The March Meet and Famoso have changed hands over the years. Currently, both are run by locals Blake and his dad, John Boswer, who worked at the track in late ‘50s. “Everything changed in 1959 after the first March Meet,” said John Bowser. “The whole image of drag racing changed. There were so many people at Famoso for it. There were people and cars for days. The whole town was excited. People were hanging out at hamburger stands – it was like American Graffiti – one giant car show. Everyone drove up and down Chester Ave.”

Added Blake Bowser, who grew up with the March Meet: “Every year, everyone knew the March Meet was coming to town,” he said. We’d cut school to go to it. It was a Senior Ditch Day.”

The March Meet and Famoso Raceway created an entire generation of both racers and racing fans and marked Bakersfield as a Mecca for the sport. The Mears family began to race at Famoso, as did the Pedregons and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen (who, along with Don “The Snake” Prudhomme is a Grand Marshal of this year’s event) and many, many others. NASCAR’s Kevin Harvick launched his racing career in Bakersfield.

In its hay day, the March Meet was the race on the NHRA schedule, where legendary racers such as Prudhomme, “TV Tommy” Ivo, Shirley Muldowney and Connie Kalitta clashed. Many of today’s stars like John Force and Ron Capps competed in the March Meet.

Today the March Meet is racing’s top nostalgia event, and is the first stop on the NHRA’s new 7-race Hot Rod Heritage Series. It’s still, in Blake Bowser’s words, “…the largest single event in Bakersfield. It helped put Bakersfield on the map. Bakersfield is Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and the March Meet.”

Happy 50th, March Meet, and here’s to many, many more.

Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call ‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super 3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.

Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

The Grand Marshals this year are drag racing legends Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen.

The 2008 March Meet is also the inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia racing series.

The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008. For more details, visit Famoso Raceway

 

Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen Named Grand Marshals of Legendary March Meet

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2008) – Two of drag racing’s greatest rivals, partners and friends – Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen – have been named Grand Marshals for the upcoming March Meet (Mar. 7-9) at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, outside of Bakersfield, Calif.

It’s no surprise that the March Meet, nostalgia drag racing’s premier event – and celebrating its 50th year of racing – is honoring Prudhomme and McEwen. “Both are former March Meet winners and part our rich racing lore and drag racing history,” 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. “It’s an unbelievable honor to have them here as Grand Marshals. What a treat for the fans.”

“The March Meet really means a lot to me,” said Prudhomme, who was named the No. 3 driver on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list. “The 1962 Smokers March Meet was my first race driving a fuel car for Kent Fuller and Dave Zueschel. It was THE race to win back then and I still have my March Meet trophy, which is one of my most prized possessions. Winning that race really kick-started my driving career, so to go from an unknown racer back then to being named a Grand Marshal this year along with Tom McEwen is something that I never thought would happen. But then again, Grand Marshals are usually old, so I guess it makes sense!”

McEwen, listed at No. 16 on the NHRA’s driver’s list, added, “This is a big thrill for me. I grew up on the March Meet. It’s always been a big race and I can remember winning it back in ’72. I’m really looking forward to being there with Prudhomme. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call ‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super 3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.

Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

The 2008 March Meet is also the inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia racing series.