Grab the family and head to Auto Club Famoso for three days of roddin’, racing and fun

The annual three-day funfest known as the California National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, returns to Auto Club Famoso (just outside Bakersfield) for the 17th time, Oct. 10-12 .While the hot rodding/nostalgia drag racing spectacular offers a cornucopia of things to do, here are 10 family-fun events to consider:

1. Meet drag racing legends such as “TV Tommy” Ivo:  Drag racing icons abound at the Reunion. “TV” Tommy Ivo, one of the most likeable and competitive drag racers of all time (he was voted No. 25 on the NHRA’s greatest drivers list) will have three of his most famous rides at the Reunion. The lineup includes the four-motor Showboat from 1961 courtesy of America’s Automobile Collection; Ron Johnson’s Barnstormer tribute car and Tommy’s last Top Fuel dragster from 1974. Restored by Bruce Larson, this car gave Tommy the “wild ride” of his life when it went through the traps at Pomona, upside down, backwards and on fire—at 200 mph. Tommy walked away with only one minor scratch.

Grab the family and head to Auto Club Famoso for three days of roddin’, racing and fun

The annual three-day funfest known as the California National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Automobile Club of Southern
California, returns to Auto Club Famoso (just outside Bakersfield) for the 17th time, Oct. 10-12 .While the hot rodding/nostalgia drag racing spectacular offers a cornucopia of things to do, here are 10 family-fun events to consider:

1. Meet drag racing legends such as “TV Tommy” Ivo:  Drag racing icons abound at the Reunion. “TV” Tommy Ivo, one of the most likeable and competitive drag racers of all time (he was voted No. 25 on the NHRA’s greatest drivers list) will have three of his most famous rides at the Reunion. The lineup includes the four-motor Showboat from 1961 courtesy of America’s Automobile Collection; Ron Johnson’s Barnstormer tribute car and Tommy’s last Top Fuel dragster from 1974. Restored by Bruce Larson, this car gave Tommy the “wild ride” of his life when it went through the traps at Pomona, upside down, backwards and on fire—at 200 mph. Tommy walked away with only one minor scratch.

2. Honoree Reception, Fri., Oct. 10, Doubletree Hotel, Bakersfield, 7 p.m.:  Open to the public, this free event is what the California Hot Rod Reunion is all about: honoring hot rod heroes of the past. This year’s Honorees are Grand Marshal Junior Thompson, Steve Davis, John Edmunds, Georgia Seipel, Walt Rhoades and Butch Maas. The Justice Brothers’ Reunion Spotlight will shine on Gas Ronda.

3. Nostalgia Drag Racing, Fri-Sun, Oct. 10-12: As the final race of the NHRA’s inaugural Hot Rod Heritage Series, this looks to be the biggest and most competitive California Hot Rod Reunion when it comes to racing. Showcased on the track will be NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport’s most famous and historic cars and drivers, competing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel, Funny Car, Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and others, plus and a variety of exhibition entries. More than 200 cars are registered. All the top names in nostalgia racing will be competing, including Adam Sorokin, Denver Schultz, Brett Harris, Jim Murphy, Rick White, Jack “the Sherriff” Harris and Troy Green. Unfortunately, Brad Thompson (Visalia, Calif.), who was leading the series, will not race due to injuries from a crash in Boise, Idaho.

4. Street Rods in the Grove: Some of the coolest cars around, everything from street rods to hot rod to rat rods will be on display in the Grove, ready to check out. Also, the Street Rodder magazine tour is making a stop at the Reunion, bringing dozens more rods to the event.

5. Manufacturers Midway/Swap Meet: Looking for the latest in hot rod gear or hard-to-find part? Check out the Manufacturers Midway where there will be dozens and dozens of vendors offering everything from hot rod art and videos to ladies racing apparel. The Swap Meet is where the memorabilia, magazines and car parts can be found. Word of advice: bring some spending money.

6. Military Appreciation Day: all active service people get in the Reunion free of charge on Sun., Oct. 12. Plus, the Fueled By The Fallen Memorial Race Cars will be on display. Included in the lineup will be their ’63 Chevy Nova and their two ’66 Novas including the Pro Stocker. Be sure to check them out and pay tribute to our troops.

7. Cacklefest:  For Reunion-goers, Cacklefest is the sweetest sight and sound in the world: 40 or more vintage dragsters fire up and “cackle” 400 gallons of nitromethane fuel in less than five minutes. The sound of that exploding nitro will be music to the ears of thousands of fans at fabled Auto Club Famoso Raceway when 40 or more early-style front-engine dragsters will be push-started like they were in the 1950s and ’60s and then lined-up down the center of the drag strip at Famoso with the headers glowing and the motors ‘cackling.’ 

8. Historic dragsters on display: Scattered all over Auto Club Famoso will be famous racer cars from the 1960s-’70s such as the Rat Trap, More Aggravation, Tenneesee Bo Weevil, Gang Green, the  Bankamericar and the Mastercar, to name
but a few.

9. The Dynamic Legends Honoree and VIP site: Sponsored by Dynamat, the special new area (located in the Grove under the Auto Club sign and next to the Justice Brothers Car Care Products display), is where fans will be able to find many of the past and present Honorees. Swing by, say hello and maybe get a souvenir signed.

10. Mingle with international racers and fans: When Reunion officials say it “brings the world to Bakersfield,” they are not fooling. Racers, fans and media from Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Canada will descend upon Auto Club Famoso Raceway, bringing millions of tourism dollars and good cheer.