The action was fast and furious and the competition fierce to win. No, it wasn't a drag race, but the racing memorabilia auction Thursday night at the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club ofSouthern California, where the pedal was definitely to the metal! A lively crowd bid on 110 items in just under three hours, bringing in more than $20,000 to help support the programs and exhibitions at the popular museum.
"We really want to thank all the bidders at the auction," said Sam Jackson, Executive Director of the Parks Museum. "Thanks also to our auctioneers and to those who have generously donated memorabilia, this annual auction allows the Museum to continue to preserve motorsports' legacy."
With Dave McClelland giving the history of each item and three super-energetic volunteerauctioneers from Ken Porter Auctions - Justin Holmberg, Mark Coulter and Charlie Yarrish - who could talk faster than a Funny Car burning down the strip, the crowd was whipped into a semi-frenzy, and the items hotly contested. The bidding atmosphere was fun to watch and/or participate in.
The highlight was the Mickey Thompson mini dragster which sold for $3,500. A Lions Drag Strip jacket from the early 1960s, once owned by Jim Nelson, was authenticated by Bob Frye and John Ewald before being auctioned off for $1,525. Other highlights included a framed display of more than 200 event pins donated by Cal-Rods' Vic Cunningham that went for $375, a divisional "Wally" Award that sold for $400 and an event poster from the 1993 California Hot Rod Reunion, autographed by the Honorees from that year, that sold for $475.
Tons of autographed vintage race jackets, hats, posters and banners were up for grabs, as well as trophies, photographs, Hot Wheels cars and other hard-to-find collectibles.
The auction was part of the events surrounding the CarQuest Auto Parts Winternationals at nearby Pomona Raceway.