Event Coverage Oilers CC Present: "Race of Gentlemen"

Well, I forgot my camera at work so my shots are going to take a little longer than expected...,
BUT in the mean time Id like to thank all the HAMBers that came to my help this weekend. Especially Carter who brought the part that I needed for my starter all the way from practically Ohio! I obviously got sidetracked by the police department and I couldnt find you later on! And Pat, thank you as well as your effort was equally appreciated!

My starter snapped somewhere between MA and CT on the way down, and as this trip in my roadster was so last minute I didnt think of bringing that particular spare part. The power of the HAMB got me going again and I couldnt be more grateful!

Finally putting a voice and face to names Ive been "talking" to for years was great! Meeting all you other guys on the beach, shootin' the shit, and pushing stuck cars was so much fun!

When I first read this post and a few others started commenting about it I knew it was a cant miss event, All of you who doubted it or brushed it off thinking it wouldnt happen, well, you missed out on a life changing event.
I hate to sound like a softy sap, but after a 700 mile round trip in a normally unreliable roadster, through a tropical storm, being called "crazy", breaking and getting fixed, running down and back with good friends, and meeting all of you wonderful people...yes, it was, for me life changing...
So from the bottom of my usually sarcastic asshole heart, Thank You!

 

Goddam! These pictures of this event are AMAZING!

 

was that you dumping all the anti freeze outside ..if it was i helped push you outta the fuzzes way .lorodz

 

Hey Lorodz, I was just going to point you to this, thats my page.

I got there jsut before the races started and was in such awe that I didnt realize all the HAMB members in attendance or certainly would have introduced myself.

 

Hey John, saw the car on the street, looks great in person, though the seat could use a little more cushion

 

no problem ...vids were awesome. next race of gentlmen you attend be shure to look me up ill be there.

 

haha....awsome glad his motor finally settled down...good times

 

Wow!,,that's the best I can say,,,just WOW~ HRP

 

more from the FB group, these are by Tom Berg Photography

 

You think I'd let another side show top my side show? Oh no!

Wait till you see what I have in the works for you all! Life is just going to get a little bit better around here, Mwaaa ha ha ha....

 

more from the FB Group, these are by Jill Ingoji

 

Thanks... ELD
for finding all the cool pics

 

I don't really know how you guys pulled this off, especially in New Jersey. What a great, and obviously successful effort! Cudos to all involved. Hope you do it again next year.

 

I just can't really thank all of you people enough. What a time!

I remember seeing so many faces walk by me as I was running here and racing there. I wish we only could all get together this weekend for an after party and have some laughs, some beers, and certainly some tears. I'm a pretty centimental guy, I often cry. I certainly did this day. You are all so amazing to me. I can't wait to see you all again. My home is always open to all of you.
You can always reach out to me or us at, [email protected]

Wounded vets, my shit is yours! You come to my house, you have roadsters for the day. You need an Indian, what is mine is yours! Old folk, it is you who have inspired me to work hard, extend my hand to a neighbor, build something with my hands with pride. My stuff is also yours... I'd be proud to lend a roadster to any old couple to rekindle old memories. An old man that has lost his love... Lets hang! We can rip around and act like hooligans a few more times!

Years ago here I put out an add looking for any local kids with an interest in tradtional hot rodding. There is enough here in my home to share... Two 18 year old twins showed up. One a long hair, the other with a "pomp". These boys have hung with me for the past few years and are now men. They both went off to college. One studided mechanical enginering and found a great job. The other took a path in the arts and has really stuck by me. Both of these boys now men, have been there for me ANYTIME I asked for them. Sometimes demanding there presence like the Marine I am, sometimes begging like a school girl for some help with homework. I formed a friendship with a family by merely putting out an add for a few good men. In turn, I got two extra sons, a dad, a mom, and those girlfriends of theirs as well, always pitching in in a time of need, I mean all of them!
There are still some wonderful old souls out there in all shapes and sizes.

This HAMB here has been used by me in some pretty amazing ways. Sure it is the best place for learning and sharing our love for all that is traditional, ...but it sure is a wonderful place to make some ever lasting friends!

I thank you all for your wonderful encouragement, your tips, those parts I need when I can't find them and need so desperately... and most of all, your brotherhood! I forget you not... until the next time good people, until the next time!

 

morezee from the FB Group, these are by Thomas Rowe, yea, somes big'uns but we all have 20" or more monitors by now right?

The photos of Mel and Van having mano on mano time are some of my favorite.

 

Ok, so a lot of people are asking for posters.

You are in luck! We have them...

Give me a few days to get an add up and a PayPal for them. My inbox is clogging up, my email I haven't even looked at as it is insane. Bare with!

We redid the posters with less info for the show, and your garage walls!

 

We love you man and thank you for my men you helped shape! We are family, Get up ev'rybody and sing

 

Wow! Amazing! Mel, you are my hero! Lending roadsters out to injured vets and old timers in search of a lost love. That is a true humanitarian in my book.

Mel, you spent a lot of time helping me with ideas in building my Model A Tudor on Deuce rails. Your light gray Model A Tudor on Deuce rails you did awhile ago has been an inspiration for my build! Thank you dude!!

My 3 and 5 year old son were looking at all the pictures for this event. When my five year old saw pics of Mel he says "awwww man, there's a pirate driving that hot rod." Funny!

Sign me up for an XL T-shirt and some posters to support the cause!

I WILL be there next year for sure!

You guys are rulers!!!!!!

 

Holy shit!

 

Quick story...

I got a text from my family the day after the race. I didn't get to spend time that day with my favorite people on earth, but they stood on the sand hill and cheered me on! My Aunts and Uncles, my amazing cousins, my Father whom lost his girlfreind the day before and still showed face, my sister, my son, and my friends. I did not realize this until my family talked on top of that hill amongst themselves that "race" day.
In that text my cousin asked if I had put that #55 on my car for my Grandfather "Babe" whom we lost 2 years ago at 97 years of age. He was everything I always wanted to be. He was a life member of his fire dept and served his whole life. Even a member of the Civil Defence during war times in my hometown of Keyport, New Jersey. He layed above Keyport's oldest Fire Truck, a 1932, beneath our American flag when we layed him to rest. He was his uniform for the last time as we put him under the soil. He also war his only badge he'd ever worn that day, #55.

This I did not know...

The #55 is on my car because when I had my son "Van Riper" a little time before the remarkable Jalopy Showdown, my girlfriend told me i was going nowhere soon! Well, the night before the race she had a change of heart and gave me permission to go an run like hell. I knew I needed a number, and the proud father I am chose his birth date, May 5th. Good ole number 55!

OH, if you think I left my Mom off that list, I didn't. She lives in Florida and is pissed she missed the Race of Gentlemen. Hahahaaaa...

 

Lots of Photos on Hotrod hotline....
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/node/7403/1/1/1

 

Congrats to Mel and all of those who made this one happen! So awesome.

 

I think that about sums it up.

Maybe something needs to be said of the chanting, seagull scaring monkeys that Moose and the Virgin listened to for several hours, after which they were dropped at the Monkey Farm Cafe to drink Long Trail beer. It was a long trail indeed.

Thanks again to the General and Queen Becky for all the help they gave. These two are some of the best people that I know, and I know a lot of good people. Thanks guys.

You're ready to do it all again next year, right?

 

We're all proud of you dude and I think it's very very cool that your immediate family came out to cheer you on. I also think the "55" is a cool background story on the number and is even cooler it turned out to be your grandaddy's number.

 

Yes!!!! I need to just pay someone to work that damn thing so I can catch up !!! I really am glad I was able to shake your hand and talk even if it was just for a second. Let's make sure we continue on where we left off Saturday. Your car looked great and I wished I would have seen it run down the beach. Keep at it, my '35 still isn't working properly haha!!!