August 9-11: Boise, Idaho, Nitefire Nationals
August 18: Seattle, 8-car show
September 21-22: Sacramento, Governor's Cup
October 12-14: Bakersfield, NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion
Looks like a full year for the Nostalgia Top Fuel gang! So much for the doom and gloom about not racing much this year post-Goodguys.
I’m sure you all have seen NHRA’s press release regarding the Nostalgia cars at this year’s season opening NHRA Winternationals. It’s a pretty cool deal, at least from a fan's point of view. Twenty Cacklefest cars, four Nostalgia Top Fuelers and five Nostalgia Fuel Funny Cars. I really hope NHRA can put these folks close to the fan base to further our little cause. And I don’t mean park them next to the Goodyear trailer at the back of the Alcohol pits!
It should be a neat deal and is a little reminiscent of the 50th nationals held at Pomona where Nostalgia Top Fuel was contested. This is an exhibition only but should still be great if everything stays between the frame rails. For the owners and crew members it can
be a complete ordeal. For one run on Saturday and one run on Sunday, you need to park on Wednesday and you can’t get your pile out until Monday after the event. (I didn’t mention the drivers because they don’t rate.)
A big round of applause to the folks at NHRA and the people taking their cars out, putting aside the time and making the financial sacrifice to put on a show. Of course I’ll be there to report on all the down and dirty details regarding this event! (Especially what thirst-quenching beverages are in each team's cooler.) If I have time I might tell all of you what happens on the track. IF I have time. Ice chest inspections are a tedious business. If it interests you, check out the list of participants at www.cacklefest.com .
Remember that really hyped-up test session that I talked about last month at Fontana Auto Club Dragway? They had it. It stank, both for the racers and the track crew. Too many cars, too cold and everyone ended up frustrated. Off the top of my head, Nate Bugg showed up with his Funny Car still in last year's body trim and blew the tires off at the hit. The Gruzens brought their two cars out to play and made an attempt. Lots of NE 1, 2 and 3 cars were there and when they can smoke the tires down track you know the track temp is LOW. Mike Boyd brought out his new ride, a Hansen Chassis-built (shameless plug!) AA/FA that is co-owned by Mike and Steve Haight, with tuning assistance from the legendary Mike Sullivan. They made two attempts, the first having the fuel system try to empty the tank on the burnout and the second resulting in smoking the tires about 20 feet out. They hope to be back out soon and you’ll hear about it here for sure, unless I have to keep it a secret, and we all know how good I am at keeping secrets!
That other test I mentioned, the double secret one? Didn’t happen. This one will happen in February. It’s still a secret. Shhh.
Last month I mentioned that maybe I would let you folks know Mendy Fry’s plans for 2007. Nope. You’re not getting anything out of me. It’s under wraps. That’s right. Her short wheelbase nitro debut is safe with me!
Recent Stories
