Event Coverage California Hot Rod Reunion

This is what I heard. A few years ago, NHRA, for some reason, caved in to lawyers and insurance demands and changed things to make it “safer”. They changed the CackleFest requirements, format, limited the number of participants and forbid them from starting the cars at will in the pits and midway. Many had towed a long way and were upset by the new rules. I don’t recall what other changes were dictated but they were bad enough that Steve Gibbs, the father of the CHRR, quit. Word spread and attendance plummeted. It hasn’t recovered.
Gibbs started his own Nitro Revival series and it seems like all of the cackle cars went there. Usually held at Barona and Irwindale eighth mile tracks, they are always well attended and well reviewed.
I was around when Lions, Irwindale, and OCIR ran every weekend and it’s sad to see it dwindle down to just a few west coast events but I keep going and supporting their efforts.
If anyone has any additional insight, fill us in, I’m not connected to any of this, just an interested spectator/observer.

 

How were the Chorizo breakfast burritos?

 

Worst thing I ever did was go into the “Ring Of Fire” cackle experience.

 

Do not know...we usual graze at Cope's Knotty Pine in B-field before the races.

 

Knotty Pine is great, Went there last time we visited my Grandma in Wasco, cool little spot and the food does not disappoint!

 

We were in it in 2002 with the Ron Bizio truck , when someone stole the steering wheel off the Winged Express, in the dark. They were right beside us.

 

Wow, how sad about the Steering wheel nab! Bizio Truck was back again in 2016. That was the year for the Circle of Fire. Disappointed to say the least. We Headed back to the Double Tree Hotel. Sure Glad we went 2015. Push starts down the Return road, Around the Christmas Tree up the track to diagonal park facing the Grandstands! 4foot Flames and Noise! I read they had 106 cackle cars! What a spectacle! Thought I died and went to Heaven! We continued to go thru 2018. Sad each year less and less.

 

The steering wheel was returned, so Big Mike could work his magic down the track ! Good to see you there in '16.

 

P-Wood and I were talking Sat night, and both agreed, the Bizio Truck needs to be in the Lion's Dragstrip Museum.

 

i seen where the girl in red blew out her boot and the pit crew had to repair it

 

anyone get a better pic of the 61 Plymouth ?

 

That's the nephew's wife

 

Here's a couple from 2018.

 

I miss Tom, he was a great friend.

 

thanks for the pictures, wow.. that is slick !

 

None better !

 

NHRA board council (Linda Louie) set forth the issues that happened at the 25 CHRR, and in lawyer speak, determined that we were not professional enough to fire up our cars and set forth new rules and restrictions on the day the CHRR started for the Cackle Event so it was locked in and could not be changed. Days after the event, is when the proverbial S--- Hit the fan towards both NHRA--- The Museum--- and most importantly- AUTO CLUB. The following year, things had mostly returned back to the way it was, except for the car count as some teams had no forgiveness in their hearts even with the promise by the Museum that it will never happen again and could rely on the normal event.
The lack of cars Sat night, had a couple issues. On-track problems(crashes and oil-downs) thru the schedule into a tailspin and some rain, had many of the cackle teams load up instead of waiting around for who-knows-when they would get to run--- SAD but cannot be helped.
Any lack of attending cars is weird--- Having NR 3 weeks apart could for some choose an event where they were the primary show (racing is secondary) and for me much closer to home. Saying that if the events were further apart, prob would attend both--- the cost to enter each event is the same-- Just one needs more gas -lodging-food. The advantage of having both events closer to each other benefits the Eastern teams so that it becomes a single trip to attend both, and the time between both events gives them a chance to explore the Calif HR community. I had 4 guys show up at my shop yesterday because they wanted to meet me, all other times it was thru HAMB & FB.
With Gibbs leaving, Its a ton of work--a ton of work done for free, hassles and issues he has to deal with. and he put together this little NR event along with Ron Johnson the was completely under his complete control. Ron has since passed, but Steve continues along with his daughter to produce the event-- But its still a ton of work and Steve is up there in years. The NR event gets about 20% bigger every year, and there will be a time where it has outgrown its current location unless restrictions come into play. Irwindale is fairly inexpensive to operate as a weekend event, Pomona has enough room to handle 20 years worth of expansion, but entirely too expensive to operate

 

2016 was the last time I was able to attend the CHRR at FAMOSO, I had to been to 4 of the them in the previous few years.

I experienced the " ring of fire " cackle fest the first time I was there, eyes burning, and tears rolling down my cheeks, once was enough of that experience, loved the sound, but the fumes made it really hard to endure.

In 2016, that was the year that the powers that be, restricted teams, from firing up the engines in the pits, and it cause a lot of frowns and unhappy faces to say the least.

Of all of the shots of cars and trucks and such, that I had shot over the years there, this one particular shot, basically told the tale of the last of the good old days of the CHRR at FAMOSO.
This older gentleman in a James Dean T-Shirt, watching the races.



Say what you will about FAMOSO, there is no other place like it, its literally out in the middle of nowhere, which I always liked that particular element.

 

This is Fugly

 

Yup, someone didn’t think out the ring of fire all the way.

 

That's a shame... glad I was able to attend as a spectator many previous years... beginning around 2002. March meet was great as well. My west coast friends that got me there, have both passed several years back, probably why haven't been back since Leah Pruitt clinched FC series that year. Brought back memories of how racing really used to be. People standing 4 deep all the way down fence, tremendous crowds, living legends walking around....you could talk to them at track, Double Tree, or catch many at Zingos. I remember telling people...in Califonia, if it does not have a blower.... no one cares. The qualifying numbers for Nostalgia Top Fuel, Funny Car and AA/GS.... every round was elimination, like it used to be. Your not in the field...until your in the field. Swap meet back then was good, buy parts, ship them home. Clearly the top show in the country...for many years.

 

At the 2002 Ring Of Fire, I was prepared, since I have asthma, wore my old mask. It also gets very fumie on the track during the Cacklefest. Well, it used to, anyway.

 

That’s the ticket…..and a Halloween mask too

 

Here's one for you Bob. What's that wonderful aroma? Didn't go this year, would have been on the road headed there on my 40th wedding anniversary. When I mentioned going momma gave me "You know it's our 40th .....right?

 

Judging by how far the driver is out of the groove vis-a-vis her raised hand I'd say he's not watching her...hand.

 

The one with her hand up is the driver's wife lol

 

Thankfully, they kept the porta-potties serviced but I definitely could have chosen a better place to park. Still a fun weekend.
One year I put my ‘55 F100 in the Grove and planned to sleep in the bed. (yeah, I’m a cheapskate). Later, when I tried to crawl into the bed to go to sleep I realized that I was parked next to the food storage trailer with a loud refrigeration unit running all night. So I moved the truck. In the middle of the night I was jolted awake by halogen lights and screaming pumps - the Honey Dippers were there cleaning the porta-potties right next to me. Undeterred, I moved further down but the noise was still loud. Luckily, they are very fast and were soon gone.
Then there was the time my T-bird had a bad condenser and was missing and backfiring…. Lol.
Fond memories from the CHRR.