Event Coverage Eagle field - Fresno Drags Reunion Pics/Commentary

Okay I'll start with a couple of pics, and some commentary on a just finshed day at what I'll refer to as "March Meet-West".

I'm pretty sure there was no way Rocky and his crew expected the crowd of spectators and car count that was today. I found my way out there about 830am in the morning, and unbeknownst to me, it was the calm before the storm. I heard comments such as; "3 times as many cars as last Octobers race", and "Where did all these people come from?", "Man, there's alot of heavy hitters here today".

Never the less with the exception of some dust devils that wouldn't stay away, the weather was perfect, as was the racing and selection of "just spectating" cars. I missed the first event out there (the pics made me jealous) and there was no way I was going to miss this one. Love drags that are organized by hardcore racers.

Thanks Rocky!, and your team of volunteers... see you guys again in October!

 

And a few more...

 

I don't have any pics yet but my wife and I camped out at the strip last night and we had a blast!!! She was the doll at racer registration with the bandana and I was out and about mingling trying to guide racers into tech.

What a turnout!!!!!! Easily 3 times the amount of people and cars as October

 

I have to agree it was huge....could be 200 cars were teched to race.

 

Skip, glad to hang out with you and Kelly today. Hope she gets plenty of rest and takes care of that knee. No doubt the girls worked hard today!

 

It was fun but terribly unorganized. Took an hour to get in and many cars overheated. The amount of racers was staggering and there were many cool rides there.
One thing I thought was lame was the tents lined up along side the track. It made it damn near impossible to see the actual race. Many spectators resorted to moving on the other side of the starting line just to see past the damn tents and were later told to move for safety reasons. Horrible idea to let those tents be allowed to monopolize the entire track. That was BS!! My suggestion is to have bleachers or not allow tents on the side of the track. Nobody could see anything if they didnt have one of those damn things. There were tiny areas where tons of people crowded into just to see the race. That got old real quick and we split out of frustration. Those f***ing tents ruined it as far as im concerned. If you didnt have a tent you didnt see anything. The were lined up one after another and hogged up the entire viewing area. Stupid idea.

 

I had a great time thanks for the pic's and thanks to Rocky and his army of volunteers for doing a damn good job with such a huge turn out .. hawkerdriver volenteer next time if you think you can do a better job

 

I'm glad you guys had a good time. I had been planning on attending since the announcement last year. Late last night I just decided I didnt feel like going. I havent felt motivated about anything at all lately.

 

sucker you just fooled yourself

u cool man ?? u cool ?

 

This little drag race turned into a MONSTER. Who would have expected that many Hot Rodders to be there. As for the Volunteer Army of Rocky's, you did your best. Thanks for being there. Remember this event benefits Eagle Field, a part of our American History and why we can do , what we can do. If you are wondering why I didn't make a pass in my AA/Fuel Dragster at the start of the Racing Event Ceramonies, is because the driveline was disconnected. When we fired it up in the pits, the driveline MUST be disconnected for safety reasons. After seeing that Pro-Mod red Corvette get loose and hit the safety barrier, we decided to not make a run. It takes a smart experienced driver to run on a rough surface with no traction with a 1000 hp or more like Stormy Byrd and not wad it up. Temporary bleachers cost money, a good sound system cost money, BYOB, Bring Your Own Bleachers !

 

I would have to agree with this somewhat there was no spectator area and it did not start that way. This is all new and it was overwhelming with a flood of spectators and the race will slowly get more organized and better. Maybe you should volunteer and be in charge of the spectator area.

 

I seen your Dad there......Change your name to Negitive Mike!!!!!

 

Look at any pics of dragstrips in their infancy. No bleachers, standing room only. I've seen lots of old pics where guys brought in scaffolding to sit on. Maybe portable bleachers are in the future. This thing is still in its "infancy" but it appears to be a giant radioactive mutant baby!

Besides, the wind took care of half of the EZ Ups in the first hour or so anyway! These things have a way of working themselves out.

 

Or Schlep-rock. Wowzy wowzy woo woo.

 

Like SCKRacing said, Eagle Field is a happening. Hell this type of racing is a happening. You watch for a while, you cruise the pits, the vendors and the car show then go back to watch the races. Don't get pissed, just enjoy the show. If you want to just sit and watch cars go fast, go to Pomona and don't blink.

 

I support what hawkerdriver said it was unorganized I'm sure that Rocky and the guys busted their asses on the event but when you have 3 to 6 people deep in front of you and the return road with 2 to 3 cars side by side all the way down a contrete wall it's hard to see shit much less cars racing. The wind and dirt flying never stoped, this event can be a kick ass event if staged better there are companies that rent aluminum stadium benches even if it cost a buck or two per person extra do it, what's 12 bucks going to hurt The show area was full of late model trucks, Datsun Z's and others that were not HAMB type cars, I'm sure the turn out blew every body's mind but there should have been some thinking that this might happen. Good luck on the next event, learn from this one and move on.........SCKRACING not to get into a pissing contest with you, but you were parked 100 feet BEYOND the end of the 1/8 mile that's called
watching drag stopping not watching drag going.....

 

Don't want to start crap but after reading some of the posts I had to put in my two cents. Do you people realize that this was only the second drag racing event at Eagle Field? And I wonder if you can control the weather. I know I can't. And as for waiting an hour to get in, have you ever been to an NHRA event. If you wouldn't have left you would have saw that once they realized what was happening, they changed the staging lanes so that spectators were not blocked. And being the second event and not knowing how big the crowd was going to be I wouldn't have ran out and rented bleachers either. Remember that for us car guys it was a drag race, but for some people it was a fundraiser (as in make money not waste it) to save part of history. Again not trying to start crap but before condemning it, give it chance to grow. Rocky and his team know that there were some things that needed to be addressed and I gaurantee you that if there is a future for Eagle Field drag racing they will work all of them out. As far as I'm concerned though I'll go to every event they have as is, and if the whiners don't show up then that will be one less person I have to try to see around while I'm watching the action.

 

I had a great time! Wind, dust, croud, assholes and everything! When was the last time you went to an event that was perfect? Quit crying and get ready for the next one, it's gonna be even better.

 

It was the highlight to see you there Tim....thanks for the good words.

 

2nd to Bascuem..... and I didn't even make it but will be there in Oct..... looks like it was a good show again Rocky, Congrats.........Carl

 

Hotrodders had a fun day. Whiners should stay home.
The 70+ volunteers got paid NOTHING for their efforts and spent a very long day there, starting very early, solely for the love and dedication to make this event happen. The popularity and interest in this event is demonstrated by the overwhelming attendance by those of us who appreciate all efforts by Rocky and the army of dedicated volunteers.
IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER!

 

I find it kinda funny that there are so many whiners that call themselves "Traditional HotRodders", the sport never would have taken off if the old timers were such babies. What is this country coming to? I come home from El Mirage sun burnt and full of dust and I want to go back the next day. Right now I'm sitting here wishing I could go back out and run my car agian, maybe I have a squewed perspective since I was participating but as a spectater maybe these people are expecting something like Pebble Beach They cater to your every whim there, I've seen it, but you wont have the thrill that Eagle field provides.

Even my wife who gets a little tired when we go to these events had a blast this weekend, I think you get out of it just what you put into it and you'll find that the whiners are usually the ones messing up everyone elses good time demanding their rights.

OK I'm done with my rant.

 

I'll second that whole idea mctim. I have been going to the drags at Famoso for a long time and just haven't been that into it in the past few years cause everything is so stale, high dollar, and predictable. I mean how many times can you watch the mooneyes dragster with the front engine blower give up the ghost halfway throuigh the 1320? On the other hand I used to race out on Golden State just south of Chestnut in the middle of the night some years ago and that was very exciting, but illegal and when 4 CHP's would show up looking for blood it was a crazy scramble to get out of there instead of spending the night in jail. At Eagle Field this weekend I got the feeling that I might die right there on the side of the track when that 'Vette smashed up, and it was exciting! Then the '40 Ford made the mid track 180 and showed everyone what luck looks like! It was a good time. Very renegade, very dust devil in your sandwich, very real and cool. There's always gonna be some primadonnas out there, and Famoso is built for them. I was too busy checking out all the cool rides, bombers, big guns, and the tank, to have a bad time. Plenty to look at when the spectating got a little packed. All in all, hats off to Rocky and the volunteers!
P.S. Anyone know how to keep the wife from noticing the HA/GR rail build in the garage?

 

I'll say it again, I had a great time!! I thank all the volunteers and Rocky for such fun. Was there room for improvement in areas? Sure. Is it something to get all upset about? Not unless someone damaged your car or killed a loved one.. Will there be improvements next time? I bet there will be. Heck, it sounds like there were even impovements over last years event.

It's one thing to critique, it's another to bash!!

Rocky, keep doing what your doing, I think the majority would rule this to be a ton of fun!!

 

I just can't say enough good things about what's going on out at Eagle Field! We had a blast again this year. Yeah the blowing dust sucked (Ever been the Sears Point?) and the EZ ups made it hard for everyone to see but for an event that is only in it's second go around to have this much growth is just unheard of. My only suggestion for the next one, if there is enough money, would be to run barriers down both sides of the track. If there were walls on both sides you could have one side for the groups with EZ ups and the other side for standing only much like they have at Bakersfield. Thanks again for all of the hard work guys, can't wait for October!!!!

 

I had a GREAT time! We parked my F100 in the lineup, jumped up-and-down with Stormin' Norman, and looked over the flathead and Inline diggers...My wife went nuts over McTim's Yellow Brick, and the other 'newer' F100s in their group. She is younger, and missed the old ('54-'60) days of the early drags.
We usually ran at Baylands ("Old Time Drags" in early '80s) when we had the shop, so she was disgruntled to go to Eagle Field in the "Support Vehicle". (my '55 F100 used to haul tools & equip'mt for the roadster)
It was like a time warp...Mostly early rods, kustoms, and drag cars...The beautiful chopped-n-primered Deuce 5-window sat next to the booth like it was 1956 again...
That channeled '32 Roadster Tim brought down from East of Visalia was a Magazine car I recognized immediately, and I was torn between wanting to stay there forever...and going home and welding on my '27 Touring!
There were flatheads, Hemis, and Inlines. Four bangers, taildraggers, and regular hot rods. Some Rod Jockeys that I remembered, with hair like mine...gray. Some without!
All in all, a great job by all, considering...
The immediate area was mostly era cars, and was NOT overcome by Jap stuff with coffee can sewer pipes. It was reminiscent of early '50s San Jose Drag Strip "Little Bonneville", and for a day I was able to whisk my younger wife off to a better time...One I had been telling her about for 30 years...

 

I tell you what.....Eagle Field was a blast. We had a great time and I am really lookin forward to the October event. I got a little nervous when I pulled in and saw all the muscle cars with fat tires unloading....too much car for the track. Still, everyone managed to put on a real good show and come out mostly damage free from what I saw.

It had to be the best $10 Ive spent all year ha ha.

 

The BEST car event, show, drags, race, etc. I have EVER been to. Sure there were a few little hiccups, but I can't imagine races from the 50's and 60's were flawless.
Great job to all!!!! And I assure you I will be back at the next one.
Also, being a native of Dos Palos, events like this are Fantastic for the little town and Eagle Field.

 

Rocky; crew; participants; ................... BITCHIN'.
Like the kitten of cartoon fame you hung in there, "rode the tiger" as it were. We all have YOU to thank for another step on this journey. Don't sweat it gang, it'll get better.

Gentlemen, I've "attended" drag races from between orange groves at night to megabuck speedway parks over the years. I can tell you that Eagle Field is where it's at and what it's about, more than anything else being run out here today. Together with ANRA, Dragfest and the Antique Nat's we have the real possibility of recapturing drag racing for and about the enjoyment of drag racing by drag racing folks, not just one more endless, soulless, damned, television driven, bullshit "reality" series.
I'm here.

Whiners that left? You did the right thing, thank you. This isn't about what you think it's about.

Whiners that stayed? Excellent, points taken. Get involved and help bring this dream of ours to life.

 

I only have ONE complaint......... couldn't get out of the hangar to go see the show.... I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone who came by and picked up an event T-shirt. The 4 color design was tough to do on site but the wife was a trooper. I hope you all enjoyed the OLD SCHOOL on site printing....that machine is almost older than me !!!... It's a 1974 vintage.

Rocky...I'll follow you into whatever battle you encounter..... And I HATE to tell you I TOLD YOU SO....but guess what...I TOLD YOU SO !!!!!!!!!