Big Olds' HAMB Drags Adventure

Where to start?? It’s taken me alittle while to not only resize and upload to photobucket but to gather my thoughts on the Drags as well. I don’t even know where or how to being to describe the BEST event I’ve ever attended, and trust me I’ve attended a lot over the last 25 years.

As MANY have already done, I’d like to extend my deepest most heartfelt thanks to Ryan and Marcie for arranging and hosting such a monumental event. An event sure to go down in hot rodding history. Yep, at this stage some folks might be thinking, oh yeah right, but years from now you just wait and see how many people begin to reflect on the early years of the HAMB Drags and declare it as a turning point in the direction of other major car events.

In the four short years the Drags have been going on folks from all over the country, the world for that matter cuz we’ve had Aussies there, are designating it as a must do, not to be missed event. Folks are using major vacation time, driving thousands of miles and spending hundreds and hundreds of their hard earned dollars just to be there. Simply amazing. Each and every person there makes the Drags the special event that it is and I’m proud of each and every person attending for the effort that they put into being there, helping out, etc. You guys all ROCK! THANK YOU!

Without further mushy-ness here’s my story of my HAMB Drags 2006 adventure.

Roadstar and I decided to leave after work on Wednesday night to break up the long 15 hour drive. We drove from Livonia Michigan to just west of Indy and stopped for the night, about 6 hours with a dinner stop. Pretty uneventful and DRY. J

The next morning, Thursday dawned bright a sunny. What a wonderful day for a ******* cruz. Saw this beauty along the way.



Since we had all day we kinda took our time and stopped whenever we felt like check out something we saw in greater detail. One of the stops, I’m sure most traveling along I44 have seen, involved some cl***ic cars, gas pumps, signs and nic-nacks inside.








A sign just like this was for sale at the Springfield swampmeet. The guy was asking $2500.00. While I think it’s super cool and would look great hanging on the side of my garage I think I’ll get a top and windows first.



Once we got to Joplin and checked in I cruz’d Big Olds over to the quarter car wash to get the bugs and road grime off. I then ran into Animal and his pal from ColoRODo. It was wonderful to finally meet you in person bud.


We then met up with JimC and his lovely wife Judy and Slick50 and his lovely wife Vicki and JalopyJim for a yummy BBQ dinner at Red, Hot and Blue, just down the street from the Ramada. It was wonderful to see our friends again and spend time chatting and catching up on what everyone had been up to and also getting to know Jim who we had just met. NoSurf saw Big Olds in the parking lot and came in to say hi. That was a nice surprise.

After dinner we all drove back to the host hotel for an evening of hanging out in the parking lot. Since it was dark already, and my camera doesn’t flash any longer cuz I dropped it, I don’t have any photos of the Thursday night antics. It really was a blur of hugs, kisses, handshakes and pats on the back. It was so great seeing everyone it was tough to call it a night and head to bed BUT we had the swampmeet in Springfield in the morning to look forward to.

 

Friday morning didn’t dawn so bright. It was very cloudy and looked like it was about to rain at any second. After milling around the parking lot for a few minutes we decided to get on the road BEFORE the rain came down which actually happened while driving there. A few of the Friday morning 8 am to Springfield crew.

Kerry…who thankfully had enough fuel to get there.


50Dodge4x4 and his lovely wife


Jerry and MrPontiac in Jerrys Suburban which he drove from Phx, AZ


Raven61, who had his wife and his most adorable, sweetest, friendliest little boy with him who always has a smile on his face and a hug or two to give away.




There were also a number of people along in their daily drivers and I must add did offer to take riders with them who might not have wanted to get wet in their roadsters. Thanks guys, the offers were much appreciated.

There were lots of deals to be made at the swamp meet. This post has a list of some of the treasures folks found.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128278

Poor “young” Glen, no umbrella or rainsuit....just a bomb and I wish I had a dollar for every person that p***ed us making a comment about it L


Mr Pontiac, it was wonderful to meet you and have the opportunity to hang out with you on Friday.


No Surf was certainly happy to see me


I don’t remember what they were asking












Japloy Jim


"Young" Glen, thanks for letting me ride you bike sweetie. It had been awhile since I've been on one. Yours is the coolest I've ever ridden.

 

$750 price tag on this. Glenn sure thought long and hard about dragging this back to AZ with him


L2R; Mr Pontiac, Glen, Fiddy, Roadstar


FlatTop Bob and Jerry


We ran into ALOT of HAMB folks while walking around and it seemed like everyone had found a treasure or two. Despite the constant rain I still had a good time.

Roadstar and I left and headed back to Joplin. I had plans to bake cookies at a top secret cookie baking location and Roadstar was going to give Big Olds a once over and try to determine why he wasn’t steering and tracking like normal. While on the highway heading back we ran into PonchoBilly and cruz’d back together.

PonchoBilly



I then spent the next 4+ hours baking and packing up cookies. Thanks SO much to JimC’s lovely wife Judy for allowing me to overtake her kitchen. It was very much appreciated by not only me but ALL the HAMB folks that got to nibble on them.

Many thanks to JimC for opening up his garage and tools so Rudy could tighten up Big Olds’s panhead bar and some steering joints. Drives like a brand new car now. Thanks sweetie! xo**o

We then took off back to the host hotel. WOW! What a difference in just a few hours. The parking lots was PACKED with cool cars and even cooler people. I was alittle overwhelmed and didn’t know who to hug first. Buddys were there from all over the country. Ones I expected to see and some that were total surprises.

I stood on Big Olds and took 360 degrees worth of photos






Animal taking a photo of me taking a photo








I didn’t get a shot of the Fiddys grilling but I did want to add a HUGE thanks for all the hard work that went into the BBQ. Everything was delicious!


One of the pleasent shockers of the evening was seeing and being able to chat with NormiePoo and thanking him for the skull that he donated for a HAMB auction. He's a HAMB hero for sure!



Terry


Inkorekt...or amybe I should call you Mad Dog now


Chicken, love the name tag bud!


Louver Dude, great to finally meet ya bud. See ya at the PileUp

 

The infamous Rocky! Great seeing ya again bud!








Atch (thanks so much for the license plate bud. I'll certainly think about you each time I see it! xoxox) leaning over and talking to DitchFull who is the one that came to my Dad’s rescue and fixed his hub studs while on our Ego-Rama adventure. Great seeing you again Dustin and thanks agin for helping us out on the road. My dad still talks about you fondly




Rashy, always great to see you and the rest of THEM.


McPhail, it was nice to see you again. I enjoyed watching you run your T at teh track.



Kustom52’s daughter. She worked hard on helping her dad build “her” car and sat in it ALL nite long. (my camera does funny things every now and then)


Blake, my compe***ion in TWO bicycle races…….better luck next time bud!


We stayed out way later then normal knowing that we would be sleeping in. Again it was another night that was tough to tear ourselves away from the parking lot activities.

 

The next morning we headed to the Waffle House (it’s a special treat cuz we don’t have any in Michigan) I had been wanting a pecan waffle for some time but guess what, they were out of pecans!! Had a nice visit with Rusty (Dirty31) and his family while we were waiting for a table. Walked back over to the Ramada which was already in full swing with everyone getting ready for the poker run.

Our poker run hosts, Mr and Mrs Roothawg. Thank you SOOO much all you you guys did to make sure we all had a wonderful, fun-filled afternoon. All you hard work did not go unnoticed. We all appreciated it very much.






Dirtiest little midget Danyelle


Rusty, Dirty31’s little girl


Little Santa and big Santa, or like Rudy said….”Hey look (pointing to BigKen) there’s BobK all grown up”!!!


Random shots in the parking lot before and after the poker run






The So-What boys sure aren’t afraid to drive their cars
Motor Mikey from PA


FatABone’s next to Plowboy’s


Speaking of Plowboy……What’s with the wrist action bud????


ZMan, LOVE the plate sweetie! The real patina is wonderful! Thanks much xoxox


47Plym, great to see you again. Thanks so much for the Oldsmobile hat. I'll wear it often.


Me and Santa (BigKen)...of course I told him I had been a good girl all year long.


Hooley, CONGRATS on your record breaking run! It was wonderful seeing you again and I'm looking forward to watching your Stude run in '07


WZJunk, always a pleasure spending time with you and like I mentioned to Hooley, I'll see ya on the Salt next year.


The Jetter Brothers, Roger (40StudeDude) and Dan. Thanks for the license plates buds! I guess one of my fetishes has been revealed.

 

NoSurf’s……thanks for the ride sweetie!















Surface Doctor…..great seeing you again bud. Twice in one summer, we’d better be careful or Rudy’s going start to wonder. Also, thanks so much for the license plates. I have already hung one of the alumiunm ones in a very special place.[/

SurfaceDoctor’s bikeSIZE]



Bones35’s




FatABone, great to see you and the So-What crew again.


Marcy, it was WONDERFUL to see you again as well. I felt bad for you at the track with the nasty weather blowing in. We'll see ya soon I'm sure xoxoxox


No Surf, what can I say, you are the bestest. Thank you so much for the license plate, the tight hugs, warm smiles, winks, etc. You have a way of making a weekend special. Thanks!


General Gow, it was very nice to meet you. Your a pleasure to hang out with. Hope to see you at the PileUp in Oct

 

Look at that blue sky. Sure was a site to see when they were predicting rain all day.


BenD and Enjenjo


HeavyTLC’s ***y leg. It was great to meet you sweetie. I had fun chatting with you and getting to know you…..and stuffing you with cookies.


NickGee and his son the infamous Nick32Vic…..if only I was 19 again…..


Root and Mrs Root, I’m sure thinking to themselves…..what the hell are you people doing back here so quick.

 

Roadstar and I were close to the last folks to leave on the poker run. Directions were very clear and it was a nice route. I was having so much fun that I forgot to take photos at the first three stops. Sorry Tyler, Kustom52 and the Fiddys. I don’t know what I was thinking.

4th stop was FlatTop Bob and his pal


Then on to Reggie (HotWheel)


Once back at the host hotel everyone was kinda just hanging out waiting to see who had the best hands…..and showing off body parts.

Carkiller….thanks so much bud for the NOS ’47 license plate. It ROCKS!


L2R; BigA, Chris50, Mojo66, Thirtyfivepickup, and Jerry




OhioBlueTip…….thanks for burning the meat bud! and Hooley ……..Congrats on the record break run bud! Those photos of you shortly afterwards brought tears to my eyes.




Once the poker run sheets were tallied and the booty spread out……..Speaking of booty, many thanks to everyone who donated a prize for the auction. I have quite a few other photos with the winners happy faces that maybe I can add later. Thanks again!


Folks started gathering around. L2R; River1, the engine raffle winner, OhioBlueTip, meat burner, Roadstar, my boyfriend.

 

Chris50 happily grabbing the skull


TrailerEdCar**** picked a panel from Cadillac Daddyo


OhioBlueTip








Rudy picks a model that “Gene, Gene, the welding machine” made for the poker run.


After the prizes were choosen, we headed off to the track. It’s a nice ½ hour drive from the hotel. Once there we registered with Marcie, Ryan’s better half, and purchased t-shirts, we found a spot and proceeded to empty out Big Olds……gotta make him as light as possible. J

 

My first objective was to race Roger Hendrickson, Steve’s father. If I only raced one person/car that day it was going to be Roger. To be able to do this meant a lot to both of us. Steve had always wanted to attend the Drags but never got the opportunity to do so in person. During the HAMB Drags 2003, after Big Olds made his very first p*** down the strip, I did call Steve on the phone to share with him the exciting news. He was thrilled for Big Olds. Steve built a car that not only could go the distance on the highway but was halfway decent in the quarter mile as well. Roger did kick my *** but I demanded a rematch as soon as I could get Big Olds timed.

Roger and me


The stands were packed!





Lots of people minggling around meeting each other. It was wonderful to chat with old pals and meet new ones.

PackRat, very nice to meet you bud!


StrayKatKustoms, great to see ya again Mick. Next time hope you can hanug out longer.


Mrs Crazy D, thanks so much for relaying the license plate. Very much apprecaited. Huge thanks to T-man for donating it to my kitchen wall. We missed ya bud!

Lots of cool cars in the staging lanes all day long












Nick32Vic and HotRodGirl

 

Flt Blk
















After running around taking a bunch of photos I decided it was time to run Big Olds again and see if the stumble I encountered racing Roger might have somehow disappeared. I lined up with Vicki, DeValGal, Slick50’s better half.






Nope, Big Olds was still running like ****


Next up, Big Olds just had to race Clarence. It’s a yearly match between the two of them. I had no tricks up my sleeve like normal and Atch didn’t know Big Olds was running crummy. Just pulled out this win by inches.

 

Lots of cool stuff in the pit areas as well






I think that lampshade is permenantly attached to his head now


40StudeDude, it was GREAT seeing both you and Dan again. Thank you BOTH so much for the license plates. I really appreciate it.


A shot of the silent auction booty. Many thanks to Stan292 for all his hard work to help raise a HUGE chunk of change for the HAMB. Also, many thanks to all that donated items.


I then mossied back to Big Olds where I ran into Kevin Lee who was checking him out. I proceeded to give him the grand tour of the new body mods and paint. We then headed over to his roadster where I had the opportunity to check his ride out. WOW, I fell in LOVE with it.




He then offered to take me for a ride….he didn’t have to ask twice, I slid in that baby so fast his head spun. HOLY SMOKES! It was an E-Ticket ride for sure. Since Kevin grew up in the area he felt comfortable taking some back gravel roads and really showed me what his roadster was capable of. I told him about the Jalopy Showdown and how his car was PERFECT for the track there. I sure hope he decides to attend next year.



I can't seem to get enough of DW and his lovely wife Laura....two of the nicest folks on the HAMB!

 

One of the highlights for most folks was seeing the Scorpion there…and making a p***!




I knew Big Olds was kinda not running up to snuff so I had put out a call before I left for the Drags asking someone to bring a timing light. Well our resident Olds guru happily accepted the challege of timing Big Olds. Unfortunantly the distributor was stuck and since we really didn’t want to break anything we just left well enough alone and I called it a day.

Me hunging on MonsterFlake, great seeing ya again bud!



LuxBlue trying to time Big Olds. Thanks so much sweetie for giving it a go. Very much appreciated. I’ll get all the gemlins worked out this winter and he’ll be running at the top of his game for next year.


By this time the RRT chief’s were burning some meat………
OhioBlueTip and River1

…….so I “stole” Jason (EvilFordCoupe’s) bike and rode around telling folks the grub was on.


At first the was alittle line then bam, it grew outta control and I was hoping there was enough food. Sorry if anyone went away hungry. The RRT gang will certainly plan for a larger crowd next year.


Once the storm rolled in and the track lost power everyone started packing up and heading for the host hotel……

…but not before Jim Rivers, River1 on the HAMB, was declared raffle engine winner! Congrats bud! I know you’ll put it to good use.



Roadstar and I made a stop at JimC’s house just to say goodbye and thank him once again for the use of his kitchen and garage but alas no one was home. We were hoping to run into him at the host hotel later that night but never did.

 

Despite the pouring rain everyone still had a fun time under the awing and in the lobby. Since my camera’s flash doesn’t work I don’t have many more photos from Saturday nite but here are some of kool kats photos










Me playing **** bongos on Monkey




Lots of man-*** everywhere

 

The next morning we checked out a few more rides in the parking lot














Just as I were organizing Big Olds for the ride back home two of the guys from the Scorpions team came over to check out Big Olds. What a thrill to be able to show them my car. We chatted for awhile about how awesome the weekend was and about the Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green. One of the guys said he actually remembered seeing Big Olds there! They were two cool old dudes and I’m really looking forward to the next time our paths cross.

Bill, Me and Don


Big Olds draining himself


A very long uneventful 15 hour trip home. This was the highlight.


All in all the best car event weekend of the whole year. Thanks again to ALL involved that made it so special.

If you've got this far I just want to thank you for reading all this and hopefully you kinda, maybe felt like you were there. I still have lots of editing to do with lots of people photos to add with captions. Please forgive me in advance if I mistakenly get a name wrong or something else. I certainly have no intentions of hurting someones feelings by call them someone else. I also have lots of thank yous to get to so please be patient. xoxoxo


As an added bonus I'm going to try to find all the links to the other HAMB Drags '06 threads and post them here.

Jim Marlett's
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129039

Zman's videos
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128573&&showall=1

Blake's "Mokan 2006 with video
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128420&&showall=1

Mojo66's "Onion Bowling"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128515&&showall=1

Crab's photos
http://www.crablogic.com/Images/hamb06/index.html

McPhail's "Down the Quarter in my T" thread
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128356&&showall=1

Roothawg's "I have done nothing today but read about the HAMB Drags" thread
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128472&&showall=1

PonchoBilly's "HAMB Drags '06- NYC to MoKan and Back"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128788&highlight=hamb+drags

Cyric30's thread with photos
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128878&highlight=hamb+drags

Nick32Vic's Hamb Drag Experience
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128359&&showall=1

Hot-Rod Roadster's
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128470&&showall=1

Slick50 "I'm Home"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128455&&showall=1

Ryan's "I'm Home"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128332&&showall=1

Wyle E Coyote's "A lot of pic from the HAMB Drags"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128687&highlight=hamb+drags

Glen's "Mokan Pics from Glen and the raffle motor"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128458&&showall=1

dwrfab's "Back in Time at the HAMB Drags"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129148

 

Hey Denise-Lemme know if you can't get a distributor to work- I might have a couple HEI dizzy's laying around.

Wow- I really don't have a "good" side! HA!

 

Cool pics mate! Thanks for posting em'.

 

Great lookn rides !

 

great story and posts. Thanks alot!!!!

 

Wow -- lots of great pics and nice story to boot. (Booty spankin? Jeez!) Next year I'll make sure the calendar is free and the wife out of doc's office.

 

So, you're saying I should retire the lampshade?

(great story. I agree... best.event.ever.)

 

Man that looks like a blast!! Hope you like little blue coupes, cuz there might be one in your rear view mirror for about 15 hours next year!!!!
Thanks for the story and pics!

 

Denise, I guess I am a limp wrist. Ha Ha Ha

Nice pics!

 

Thanks for the pics and commentary! Meeting you and Roadstar in person was very cool. I met so many folks, I can't remember half their names, real or otherwise. I had a blast, and am already planning for next year. Thanks for the cookies and hugs, Denise. That was just a great bonus.

 

Nothing would give me more pleasure...well almost nothing, then to have your awesome car to look at for the drive down and back bud.

 

Hey Denise

Thanks - neat post. It is great seeing our HAMB friends again - thanks for including people photos! Simonsez and I had a fantastic time at the HAMB drags last year so it was great to see everyone and all the cars this year - we will definitely be back. Hmmmm, not sure about the Aussies, but there have certainly been KIWIs at the HAMB drags

 

Thanks Denise,those pictures are awesome (cept for the man ***) the drags are definatly on my list for next year....

 

Too Cool!! Glad yall made it back okay. Thanks for sharing

 

You know when the power went out at the track, I thought we should have just put a flag man out there. Make it really traditional.

 

Suddenly I have the desire to buy "go fast" parts for the coupe!!!... maybe some drag slicks... and... and.... and... here we go!!!