Well. I got to go out and play today, and unfortunately I didn't bring a camera. However, I did have a really good time and saw lots of stuff. I think the turnout was bigger than expected, mostly because of the diversity of cars that showed up. We had a lot of muscle cars, ricers, hot rods, a few customs, and dumbasses like me who brought a 59 Impala convertible that couldn't beat the little old lady in the Dodge Dart (Sorry Guider... that's not you but you know what I mean ) So anyway I got to go out and play... made 3 passes and 1: I didn't hit anything, 2: I didn't break anything and 3: I would say that I didn't get any redlights, but the official timing stuff and all that was not there/functioning so it was impossible to get a redlight anyway. On that note, I have NO idea what my times were other than sloooooow. The best part... while I'm waiting to do the last run, some old dude comes up to me while I'm sitting in the 59 and goes "Dude... I was here in 1965 and YOU were here in 1965!" I was like... uhhh... What? I was BORN in 1965 so that's.... uhhh... and he goes "No. This car is straight out of 1965. The only thing that gives it away is the raised lettering on the back tires... otherwise this car is a time warp!" I'll post a picture of my 59 tmw. So it was pretty cool. I'm going again in 6 months. Oh yes... one more thing that surprised me. "TECH". I thought there was going to be all of this inspection stuff... so I made sure my battery was tied down, got a radiator overflow, almost (?!) moved my seatbelts over (normally for my kid, not me) and didn't have a helmet. So what happens? "$20 please. What kind of car is this? OK have fun!" and that was it!! Didn't open my hood, didn't ask for ID... nothing!! So it worked out, I guess. And fortunately there was only one wreck today... one of the... uhh... blown altereds? decided to go anywhichway but straight and ended up rolling etc.... the guy's OK but other than that the day appeared to be good and safe. Travis
What a fun day!!!!!!!!!! My coupe was running well. Other than traction problems and getting a little to cocky on the last run. I thought I could run with a car that ran 11's. What a dumb ass. It would have been a little cooler with out so many imports and newer cars. No time slips was kind of lame but they should have that handled by next time. This was a A+ day you guys should not miss this next time.If you didn't go. As for pictures I only shot film so I don't have any yet. Scott
Cheers to the club that put this on. Considering it was the first one and VERY well attended they did a good job. I had a blast. Won one, lost one, and the third run was when only one lane was open. Good thing too, cause I missed second completely and would have gotten my ass kicked. I have conluded that RPUs are too damned light in the back. I couldn't get traction on the takeoff all day. All in all it was a great day. Wish they would have had the timing set up.
Wow what a turnout, got there a 2 and what a crowd of people and cars. really dug it when the 59 Impala and 62? chev wagon came up side by side and the 59 dipped his left airbag right before their burnout. Whats that date for next year.
Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. My first race was literally my FIRST race!!! What a mess! Did everything wrong. Next 2 were not so good either. But the last 2 were awesome! AND... on my last run of the day, when I crossed the finish line my speedo said 100! I saw lots of cool cars, raced my friends, and hung out with a bunch of great people. My wife and daughter were there rooting for me. Hell, when I raced Bluecollerguy, one of HIS kids was rooting for me. Viva La PORK CHOP! It was amazing to watch Scott try to keep that thing straight as he passed me. As far as next year, I heard something about May 4th being the soonest they can do it again. something about FAA requires 6 mos notice or something. All I can say is that other than having some stall converter issues and a header gasket that went out on the way there, I had no problems, and I will be back! With a vengance! Oh, did I mention that yesterday was one of the best days ever? I saw 2 Gasser Chevy's line up to race. I'm staged to race next, behind the 57. They both do these knarly burn outs and are staged. The lights go... and this 57 takes off like a bat outta hell... BACKWADS!!! Total American Graffiti move! He broke something, cause they stooped me for a bit to pick up some shiney bits and shit up off the track. Man, I sure hope they do this again! What an AWESOME DAY!
I got to go with my brother and son, and had an awesome time! We got the 57 back together last weekend just for this. The old Y-block is cracked but still runs good, despite water getting in the oil. We drove the 67 miles there and back, and got to run the car (weak clutch and all) for a couple of passes, all the while knowing we might be calling AAA at some point. Well the car ran great, and we had a great time. I hope they are able to do this again soon. They were alittle unorganized, but in there defence I heard they where overwelmed by the number of people that showed up. Heads up grudge racing is the way to go. Alot more fun then bracket racing. We meet alot of cool people, heard some good stories and in general had a great day. My 14 year old son is hooked, which is alright by me. I saw Samiyam's 55 Chevy and it is the cats ass, I would kill for that car. We where waiting all day to see it run, but I spoke with his brother for a second and found out that after weeks of getting it ready for Kingdon I guess they wiped a cam lobe there at the track, which totally sucks!! I was just getting ready to make a third pass and they closed the lanes for the day. On our way out, just when I thought the day couldn't get any cooler, this old timer that was looking at my car earlier in the day came over to us and said that he used to race at Kingdon regularly back in the day, and said my car looked just like cars he saw run there, and that it was cool to see us driving it home afterward. I have a few photos my brother took but, the files are too big. I'll see if I can make them smaller and post them later
I had a guy tell me that he remembered my from the old days too. I did'nt quite get it at first. But I took it as a compliment. Must be the same old guy. Just another cool thing about the race. How about the six bangers..... Skratch one NEW Vette Skratch one NEW Roush Mustang Father and son having fun.
A Willeez out standing in it's field. my '55 my bro's Mustang Tim's chevyII ran there in the late 60's... the pink roadster ran there all through the 50's... and my '55 ran there in the 60's. Neat bucket T out of the 70's Scene out of the 60's...a vette in the parking lot.
Thanks to those that posted photos. Check out the News-Sentinel daily newspaper in Lodi, California for cool article on event: Smokin' Again. With 2,000 cars and 5,000 people this has to happen again. Let the newspaper know that you want more.
October the 7th sure was a great day for me. The last time I ran was a sad day in '86 when Fremont closed down. It was great to see Shane, Scott, Caddy Chris, Mark, Derick and a lot of others with the biggest smiles I have seen in years. I even ran into old friends I haven't seen in twenty years. Some of them still have their old hot rods and they have progressed over the years from mid-13's down to the high 9's and still run plates. I wanted to make more passes but my fan flexed into my radiator fill on the first pass against Derick's purple coupe and I didn't bring a tig to repair the minor damage. One of my customers spent the day taking photos. I will get them posted by Thursday. Can't wait till next time. We all owe a lot of support to the Central Valley Cruisers for making this event happen. Jerry P.S. When myself,crew, Mark and Derick arrived back at my shop we were greeted by more than 200 hot rods and custom cars and all of the people who own and drive them. WOW, What a day!
So much fun. I'm not so sure about 2000 cars and 5000 people. The record said that there was 1000 cars and 4000 people. Still Idont think that is accurate but there was a great turn out. I have about 500 pictures of the event but they are huge files. If some one can school me on how to host from another site I will post them. My wife has Ringo so I guess I can post ther and send a link. I'll give it a shot. By the way Blue Collar Guy. Very nice to meet you. Wish I had more time to hang around and BS with all the cool people there. SLAMIT
Ok try this. Bunch of pics. Blue Collar your on there. The 59 is on there. http://www.ringo.com/explore/member/recent.html?memberId=145317578 Lets hope it works
It was a fun day, although wished the timing stuff was working. Had my 38 there, made about 5 passes during the day, still have no idea what it runs in the quarter. It is next to Sam's car in the one pic by Ford Fairlane, I did not bring a camera. Good seeing the big turnout and hope that they do more.
The Jalopy Journal
