Scheduled for the weekend of October 16-18 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, the 18th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California is home away from home for international race fans. This event is unique in that a large percentage of the attendees will be coming from parts of the world, other than the United States.
In 2008, more than 300 fans journeyed from New Zealand to join fans from Australia, Britain, France, Sweden, Japan, Holland, Germany, and other countries. There were also racers from Australia, Britain and Canada to complete the international flavor of the event--one of the largest vintage drag races on the motorsports' calendar.
Believe it or not, Bakersfield is an international destination. This three-day festival of speed attracts more than 25,000 spectators and is one of the biggest events the town of Bakersfield-the west coast equivalent of Nashville-has on its calendar. The Auto Club Famoso Raceway is the perfect venue for this nostalgic racing event because it's been a part of motorsport's history since the early 1950s and the town has remained a Mecca for motorsports fans, boasting five race tracks giving visitors plenty to see and do.
The Reunion is more than just a race. It's a reunion of both racers and race cars. Expect to see hot rods and heroes together in one place like nowhere else. Cars and people come out of the woodwork. For example, in 2008 the Ridge Route Terrors Warren & Coburn were reunited with their last front engine dragster, and at the National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green Larry Dixon Sr. was reunited with two of his old rides. Larry drove the Smirnoff car in the Cacklefest and two-time Top Fuel World Champion Larry, Jr. was alongside in the Howard Cams Rattler. This year's planned attractions include Don "The Snake" Prudhomme with his recently restored ramp truck.
The Reunion's Grand Marshal is Jess Tyree. Jess, known as Mr. Pontiac, goes back to the days of Santa Ana in the '50s and is still racing today. He will be joined by honorees Danny Broussard, Don Moody, Steve Reyes, "Jet Car" Bob Smith and Walt Stevens. The Justice Brothers Car Care Products Spotlight Award falls on the team of Stone, Woods & Cook. Similarly honored at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion earlier this year, the Stone, Woods & Cook '41 Willys gasser was recently voted "Favorite Race Car of All Time" in a fan poll on NHRA.com. If all comes together as planned, you will see both the Swindler A and Swindler II cars.
For more information about the 18th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion, or to buy tickets, visit www.museum.nhra.com, or call 800.884-NHRA (6472). (AAA members receive a discount).