The Southwest Voice

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2008 California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 10-12
 
WHAT:  The 17th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, is produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Honorees are Steve Davis, John Edmunds, Georgia Seipel, Walt Rhoades and Butch Maas, along with Justice Brothers Reunion Spotlight Award winner, Gas Ronda. The Grand Marshal of the Reunion is Junior Thompson. The Reunion will feature a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot rod eras. 

Showcased on the track will be NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport’s most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel, Nostalgia Funny Cars, Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and others, plus and a variety of exhibition entries. Event is also the finale of the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia program, the Hot Rod Heritage Series.

The weekend Reunion program features ”hot rods in the Grove,” including pre-1972 street rods, customs, classics and muscle cars; the Reunion Swap Meet; Manufacturer’s Midway, Friday night CHRR Reception at the Doubletree in Bakersfield; and much more! Plus, on Saturday night it’s the sensational “Cacklefest” – classic nitro-burning, front-engine fuelers, push-started just like the “old days.” 

WHERE:  Auto Club Famoso Raceway, 33559 Famoso Rd., McFarland, Calif. 93250; 661/399-2210, http://www.famosoraceway.co.... 

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, Oct. 10-12, 2008.

TICKETS:  Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available only in advance by calling 800/884-NHRA or through an application on the Museum’s web site at http://museum.nhra.com. Those purchasing their credentials at least two weeks before the event receive significant added value including a “goodie” bag, Reunion program, commemorative dash plaque and a colorful and collectible plastic souvenir credential. AAA discount available on both advance sale or at the gate. Show your card and save. Individual tickets are available day-of the event. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15.  Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

CAMPING:  Camping passes are $60 for the RVs weekend permit and are only available if all occupants purchase weekend passes.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Monique Valadez, Parks Museum, 909/622-3389; mvaladez@nhra.com
Bill Groak, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4950, bgroak@pcgcampbell.com 
Mike Shaw, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4948, mshaw@pcgcampbell.com

VENDOR/COMMERCIAL INFO:
Kat Lotz, 909/622-8562, klotz@nhra.com

ADDITIONAL INFO: Full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com or by sending a post card or note to California Hot Rod Reunion, 1101 McKinley Ave., Bldg, 3A, Pomona, Calif. 91768.   Requests can be emailed to themuseum@nhra.com.

SCHEDULE
(Updated Sept. 2008 - Subject to Change)

Thurs., Oct. 9
Display Setup & Contestant Parking........................................ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Motorhome/Camping Area Opens................................................. noon- 5 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10
Reunion Opens........................................................................................... 8 a.m.

Contestant parking........................................................................ 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tech Inspection & Registration. (All classes)............................ 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Display Setup & Contestant Parking.......................................... 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Qualifying & Exhibition Runs...................................................... 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Top Fuel - Qualifying Session 1.................................................................. 2 p.m.

Secure Track Activity.................................................................................. 5 p.m.

Hot Rod Reunion Reception (Doubletree Hotel)................................ 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 11
Reunion Opens.............................................................................................. 8 a.m.

Tech Inspection & Registration (all classes)............................ 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Qualifying & Exhibition Runs – as called ............................................ 8:30 a.m.

Top Fuel Qualifying – Session 2................................................................. 1 p.m.

Nostalgia Eliminations - Round 1.............................................................. 3 p.m.

Top Fuel Eliminator – Round 1.................................................................. 5 p.m.

Twilight Memorial presentation at starting line..................................... 6 p.m.

“Cacklefest” Parade & Presentation .................................................... 6:30 p.m.

Secure Track Activity.................................................................................. 8 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 12 - Military Appreciation Day (free entry with valid military ID)
Reunion Opens.............................................................................................. 8 a.m.

Chapel Service in Tower-side grandstands.............................................. 8 a.m.

Pre-race Ceremonies / National Anthem........................................... 10:45 a.m.

Nostalgia Funny Car Qualifying Round ................................................  11 a.m.

Top Fuel Eliminator Continues  – Round 2 .....................................  11:30 a.m.

Continue Eliminations (all categories as called) ...................................... noon

Exhibition Runs ................................................. (throughout the day as called)

Top Fuel Eliminator – Round 3............................................................. 1:30 p.m.

Final Elimination Runs – all categories .............................................. 3:30 p.m.

Nostalgia Funny Car Final.......................................................................... 4 p.m.

Top Fuel Final.......................................................................................... 4:15 p.m.

Winner’s Circle Presentations (includes Heritage Series Awards) 4:30 p.m.

Reunion Closes ............................................................................................ 5 p.m.