Had a great weekend but,,,,,, Why do "they" hire guys from the work release program to work "security." I saw these guys giving kids a hard time over not having a ticket stub to get into the grove. What a joke. I took a walk in the "swap meet" area and was shocked by the asking prices for some of this stuff. Everything from parts to tools to used up broken crap. For what most of these people were asking for used crap you could buy new stuff.
I took a walk in the "swap meet" area and was shocked by the asking prices for some of this stuff. Everything from parts to tools to used up broken crap. For what most of these people were asking for used crap you could buy new stuff. in that is the case I would recommend buying new stuff.
Gasser61;I was there racing the event.I agree some,or most of the swap meet was a joke on prices and quality!!! I think sellers think buyers are all stupid[or rich],I saw some THRASHED old intakes[pick a brand],not even that rare, that were just nasty with asking prices through the roof!!!! I saw most stuff being loaded up to take back home,NO SALE!!! I was pitted just across the street from the crap meet. ROY.
I was looking at rams horn manifolds- 60 bucks each. no thanks. The security guys thought they were Gestapo. You could get yout hand stamped to go out to your car, but it wouldn't get you through any other gate. One guy was cool. and let me through when i left my jacket in the stands(with the ticket in the pocket). The guys buy the tower were jerks.
That trend has invaded every part of the car hobby. Folks that "buy junk and sell antiques", and "buy tin and sell gold". I've bought and sold parts for years, and I completely understand the notion of making a buck or two when you can. But, there's a point where it can be downright greedy, and sadly, that's becoming the norm today. As a buyer, the best you can do is be patient and look a little deeper for the right deal. At a swapmeet, when I ask for a price and the seller comes back with an absurd number, I politely thank him and keep walking. Instead of making a few bucks, he has accepted the fact that he'll be taking that part back home at the end of the day. I used to go to every Pomona Swap Meet, and I always used to start at the very back row, where all the "little" guys where. Those guys are regular car people who are just cleaning out their garage to make a few bucks. The guys at the beginning of the swap meet are the pros who wait for the one sucker that'll pay their huge price. Unfortunately, the dividing line between the little guys and the pros have gotten cloudy, and the great deals are getting harder to come by. I know how you feel, though. Swap meets aren't as fun as they used to be. Not as much of a treasure hunt anymore.
Another rant,,, I crew for a NTF team. It's very rare to see any fuel team put up ropes around the pit area. Most fans are very respectfull and never get in the way. The CHHR and The March Meet are great events for people to get very close to fuel cars. I saw the Bartone Bros team put up a rope around thier pit to keep people at bay. Sad to see. Most people ask to look at the car or show thier kids a fuel car up close. I've never seen anyone turn a person away. Most of the time the drivers, owners and crew guys love to show off the car to people. But to put up a rope around the pit is just not right, not at Bakersfield. It's not "The Big Show."
And Another Rant The fact that people can not get into the camping on the spectator side with out a 4 day pass is new too. I mean if someone comes out for 1 day they can not get thru the gate to come take a break at their friends campsite with out buying a 4 day pass ( $100 ) or how ever many days left in the event.
Thats why you find me out front, far as I know always been that way. Only reason I see for the security at the grove has to be people in the pits bringing in unpaid people.
It looks like I really missed out staying home with my NTF this year. However, with the low car count, I would have made the show. Oh well
guess the coolest thing i have to mention is i saw gene winfield at his booth and went and said hi and i been wanting to got to one of his workshops, he gave me a flyer and said if i sign up for one at his shop, my 15 year old son could attend for free, i held him to it and registered monday after, awesome!
Being a local and having attended the March Meets and CHRR for years, I saw old friends and got a few things in the swap and vender booths like normal. I agree on the security being assholes. I tried to get into the Grove like normal with my coupe and was denied because it was "fulled ups", Um wtf was the big gap after the first line of cars towards the track? No room was there answer. Then when myself and my girlfriend tried to get in they demanded tickets, hey bud got a wristband on. They had attitudes all weekend. Bought a 30'-31' model A coupe windshield with good glass for 20$ late saturday. Swapmeet prices were the same as always for Famoso. Gene is awesome and I could not help but take pictures for him with his camera when he asked me to take of him with the pin-ups . Can't wait until CHRR.-Weeks
According to officials A bunch of people made it over the fence w/o paying to get in. I saw 2 get caught at entrance to Grove & escorted towards the gate. My guess is that was probably the only way to check tickets. A few cheap asses spoil it for everyone else. As for the swap- pretty poor turnout. I saw some deals & snagged them. A Cal Custom barefoot gas pedal for $5 A vintage Moon gas pedal for $20 A pinstriped tube radio that works for $10 A couple of signs for $10 each A deuce shell w/ insert for $100 And guess who scored the 3- 500 lb bombs in the back of the swap? And nowhere near his asking price. We had them on the back of our golf cart for hours- couldn't go 10 feet w/o someone asking for a pic. Now if you were talking about the stupid prices for magnesium wheels- same high prices at every event lately.
Back to the Winfield story for a second, I was laughing about not being able to find the button for Gene's camera to take the photo. I was tripping on the fact Gene is so old and yet so young this piece of technology in my hands so modern is giving me a hard time and he was tremendously cool about it. Thats gonna be a hellavah personal memory from 2012 March Meets.-Weeks
A Cal Custom barefoot gas pedal for $5 A vintage Moon gas pedal for $20 A pinstriped tube radio that works for $10 A couple of signs for $10 each A deuce shell w/ insert for $100 Fibber-glazzzz? Or Steel?
To you Cheaters,...this ain't no F*ckin' Woodstock! If you are a true nostalgia drag racing fan, you won't mind paying the price of admission. Just be glad that there is an event of this caliber being put on, to attend. . Don't f*ck it up for everybody else!
Pit Bikes, Golf Carts, 4-Wheelers in excess! I don't mind seeing handicapped/disabled people on these. But a healthy, normal person... I saw a obviously handicapped person wheeling themselves through the swapmeet in an old school manual wheelchair, get damn hit by more than 1 pitbike/golf cart driven by lazy healthy people . I still had a good time not being at home out there with the sights, sounds, smells and NOISE!
I was at the Big 3 a few weeks ago and thought the same thing about the swap prices. I camped all three days and saw a lot of people loading their shit up on sunday. They were asking just way way too much. What is happening?
A steel filled Vintique shell w/ an unknown brand insert. No rust- no dents. Perfect wall art. The insert actually fits! No- it wasn't Henrys or I'd be doing backflips for that price. Haven't got the bombs back yet. I had Chico Kodama (Mooneyes) take them home for me- no room. Need to take a drive down to pick them up.
I'm an event phtographer so a cart is a must. I need to be able to make it from starting line to shutdown area & back for photo ops. The young kids speeding around like maniacs are the ones to watch out for.
I was at the Big 3 meet in San Diego as well and agree that some of the prices for rusty junk were unbelievable did my buddy and I did find some stuff for a fair price. There were at lot of good people and vendors there but unfortunately the crappy ones tend to stand out and leave a bad taste for everyone.
people complaining about swap meet prices always crack me up. especially when it comes to vintage speed equipment. guess what people... the sellers paid less than what they are asking, and more than likely bought them at the same swap meet you were at last month. the difference is they are there at 5:00 or 6:00 A.M and searching every spot for bargains, while you show up at 9:00 and walk down the middle of the aisle talking with your buddies and complaining about prices and that there is nothing good at the swap. if you want the good stuff for less you got to get out there and find it. it does not just appear on a shelf in your garage like magic. the only complaint I have about the March Meet is I did not make it.
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