That's right, it's not a misprint...However it will not be on the strip. Let me explain how this thing all went down. Former Top Fuel champ Herm Peterson was going around the pits at this years Hot Rod Reunion with a decible meter and checking out just how loud some of the cackle cars were. When he got over to Rod Hynes in Rocky Childs "Addict" fueler Herm got a reading of 123 or so decibles on 85% which at that point was the loudest. Rod was thinking this is way cool and Herm was digging on it to. Well when Herm checked out the "Thunder Chief"later, it came in at like 2/10ths louder....on 98% mind you! Well Rod & I got to talking about this and I had an idea of making some really bitchin trophies (ask my buddy Jeffy Utterback)for the deal. Rod said he'd call Herm as soon as he got back from Alaska fishing. In the meantime I called Orah Mae Millar (Pete's Wife) and asked her if she & Robin would like to be involved. My Idea was to make these trophies and use some of Pete's artwork on them with a Top Fuel Rod & Piston mounted on Mohogany. Orah Mae & daughter Robin would give them out as sponsored by "Drag Cartoons 1st annual Cackle Off". Orah Mae was tickled about keeping Pete's name out there (and that's why I asked her) and she gave me permission to use some of Pete's art work. When Rod got a hold of Herm this week, Herm was totally stoked!,He loves the idea. Herm & Rod will be talkin back & forth about a "Standard" for the contest. Where and how far from the car,engine wheels or whatever they come up with to measure each car. Rocky is already thinking about how to kick up the noise level on the Addict and was out in the garage the other night writing down notes. Rod says, "Were winning one of those trohpies next year period!"(FYI The Addict was "cold" and only on 85%) Rocky has more than one trick in the Addict & by just getting some heat in it on 85% it thunders! With the "Ace" he has up his sleeve ,BEWARE if they "Tip the Can". Rocky Childs helped me out years ago, more than you'll ever know when I was down & out after blowing everything up at CHRR #2. So this one's for you Rocky...Thank You & Ray Ackerly. This should really be a laid back fun deal as the "Cackle Guy's" do it for the love of it and I feel they should get a little recognition for there efforts, and or bragging rights. I may come up with a winner's jacket to. We have a year to do this thing,Orah Mae & Robin are looking for the art work I need and Herm and Rod & Rocky are already planning their strategy for 2009 CHRR. John's "Bank Americard" fueler is one loud sucker too! and with that BIG fuel tank is a threat. Even the "Shutter Bug" is unreal for a Pontiac on fuel.Anybody who wants to compete at at this point can, if they choose. So it looks like at this point next years California Hot Rod Reuion there will be a new competition class. AA/FCO (AA/Fuel Cackle Off) Funnies and Altereds make noise to, so no telling who will step up. Toco Harper Gartin AA/FA? Holy Toledo Ed ? Little did my old friend Bill Pitt's know what he was creating years back at Carlsbad Raceway when we use to run the Antique Drags there in the mid 80's .I raced and he Cackeld his restored Magic Car , which I always thought was bitchin. There we were,me in an old Modified Roadster racing and Bill Displaying .Neither of us I think knew just how big this nostalgia thing would get.We both got to relive our childhoods so to speak . Carlsbad is where I first saw the "Poison Ivy" car in bare tin,a blown Hemi and carbs sitting on top of the blower. Dont think anyone knew the cars history. Bill was one of the first to really bring " back to life" one of drag racing's great cars, that we loved & remember. (The other being The King "Big Daddy" Don Garlits & what has restored for the " Museum of Drag Racing " So the way it looks right now is.......... 1st Annual CHRR Cackle Off 2009 sponsored by "Drag Cartoons" Should be a lot of fun. What do you think? StOrMy
If you heard the Hustler this year, you would say Mr. Chrisman will be a contender. What a cool deal. Can't wait!!
Sounds good, literally! Its a great idea. Pete would love it. "Hi" to Robin..say "Hi" to your mom. See you in March? Jim Deist (drag chute pioneer) and Orah Mae Millar last May Again, great idea!!!!
Pretty neat....I guess....but then, I've never been to the CHRR. I hope to change that next year! I just feel it a real SHAME to have such BEASTS not allowed to give their tires a REAL workout.... But, this could be the start of something even bigger....
I hear you there, the Chrisman car sounded totaly different to the rest of the cars and it was loud....
Those cars are meant to go down the strip and compete.............. I know.....liabilty BS keeps it from happening
Wanna impress me? run the fuckers like they were intended!!!!! Where the hell is Conder? he is like the Angel bringing the news of the newborn.......... Screw NHRA. That said I am happy those involved are having fun. (PC addendum)
As far as the NHRA is concerned....well dont get me started...its not 1969 and it'll never be that way again...we might as well do what we can with what we have. That said...sounds like a fun idea!...
Yes, Mexico has drag strips and Mexicans love dragracing. There was a track at Torreon, not sure if it is still there. Monterrey has a very nice track. There were two other cities that had tracks but the names escape me. We worked on setting up a bought in show, but the Mexican economy got bad and the pesos was devalued so the powers that be in Mexico scrapped the idea. All of the races were going to be televised also. We did run one show in Monterrey and the stands were packed. We had a ball racing South of the border, the money was good and they paid in $100.00 bills U.S. 408 AA/D
*I think Cacklefest is the most amazing car show on earth. *Drag Racing as it is today is the way it is. The guys competing in it believe they're doing it the right way. To them, it's all about winning and time slips. I'm surprised they even run front engine rails or old funny car bodies (have you seen the new War Eagle car?) *I have no idea why the NHRA is getting such a bad rap. I've talked to many racers over the years and the NHRA seems to get a lot of heat for trying to protect racers and spectators, or for trying to keep racing accessible to the average guy. I personally have never talked to anyone from the NHRA about my deal, mainly because I don't have the funding to race yet. I know for a fact they won't try to keep me from running if I do land the resources to do it. They CAN'T. My cars are tanks, with every safety measure taken and every rule for top fuel exceeded. Like I've said over and over, I'll drop everything and run the !@#$ out of my rails if I find sponsors/partners. I sound like a broken record, but this type of car is a whole new animal. They are an entirely new direction in drag racing waiting to happen. My rails were built to honor the golden age AND run hard, hopefully making their own mark in the process. I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I want to clear something up... Recently, I got a glimpse into what a current nostalgia racer thought of my deal. Apparently, I'm thought of by some to be a hustling, no experience, hoodlum "rat rodder" who wants to do a 1/4 mile water burnout in my "exhibition" car and then drink beer and Bar-B-Que all day. Also, some believe if by some miracle I land the money to run I'm going to go out there and act like an ass, then get hurt, screwing it up for everybody. If any of you actually believe that it's too bad. But, if you want to know what's actually going on I invite you to contact me. My info has been on my website for 8 years. The expensive part's done. With a little back up we could be hitting HARD by the March Meet in '09 with at least 1 car. This simply isn't a cheap, one man gig. It can't be done without collaboration and hard work by a devoted, driven team. That being said, the Cackle cars take the same. I appreciate the hell out of what you guys are doing and I'm behind you 100%. www.condercustom.com
Just a thought: How about people's choice instead of a decibel meter? Idahno how you'd pull the logistics of the voting off, especially with the cacklefest being the last thing on Saturday. Maybe by applause? Thanks, Kurt
The latest from Stormy: Rod called tonight and here is the lastest on the Cackle contest. It will happen. Herm was fishing with Steve Gibbs & Carl Olson talking about the concept for days. I am saying this in black & white here . I do not speak for Steve Gibbs or Carl Olson, two people I greatly respect. So dont not take what I say as "official" I can say that both had smiles or their faces when Herm passed on the "Idea" I can say a magazine is interested. There will be a rule on fuel. There will be an" Area" for the contest and a "Standard Measurement distance" Herm has come up with an official name for the deal. Rod or Herm can post it unless Herm says I can post it (It's Cool ) This is not my deal, I'm only going to build the trophy's (exclusively) for the deal. Winner-Runner Up & 'Consolation" Orah Mae Millar and daughter Robin will "Sponsor" the deal and Present the Trophy's to the winners. Other people are already interested in this deal(manufactures) There are some other things I will not coment on yet unless I am given the ok to do so,as I do not want to give out incorrect info or start rumors. So how did Stormy get involved? Rod told me what happened at The CHRR with he & Herm , they talked,I volunteered to make trophy's for the Idea and thought that having somthing with Pete Millar's art on it would be neat. I called Orah Mea and she & Robin loved the idea and gave me permission . So I will set back and watch all these neat people have a ball from the sidelines.it's about them...The Cackle guys , The Millar's ,the Herm Peterson,s of Drag Racing, making noise & having fun the second time around. Even Ma Green liked the idea (Hi Ma) So there you have it.No need to complain because it will happen.Enjoy it I know I will and Herm , Rod ,Rocky and a bunch of others cant wait. There is a lot of time to get it right and be sure it's simple and fun. StOrMy
The Jalopy Journal
