California Hot Rod Reunion 12
is a Home Run!

10/9/03

s Bret Kepner would say, "What an Incredible Show!" The 12th edition of the NHRA Museums' California Hot Rod Reunion was everything and more. Three more FED Top Fuel teams eclipsed the five-second zone, while the Grand Marshal himself, (Bob Muravez/Floyd J. Lippencotte Jr.) almost won the entire event with his Western Hoist ride too.

That's right, not only did the Western Hoist car dip into unknown territory for the Grand Marshal, but Fresno raisin grower Denver Schutz in the highly talented Cullen, Emery, Hunt and Schutz T/F car, plus the new guy on the block, Jeff Diehl, also ran first time "fives." Schutz did it in fine fashion with the silver slingshot out of the great state of Texas, with a stout 5.85 for Low ET qualifier! After a dismal 6.70 pass Bob Muravez/Western Hoist pulled off a strong 5.92 in the night session Saturday. The RB Enterprises Spl. of Brian Van Dyke, Bob Barry, Spike Gorr and Diehl himself did their "five" in the heat of the day!

The Leslie Lovett Memorial Photo Contest was dear to my heart this year. I entered a fantastic photo that Charles Strutt had produced back in the mid-1960's of Stone, Woods & Cook's Willys versus Big John Mazmanian (below). According to Dave Wallace, who organizes this event, Charles came in third. Wallace said that it was the closest in points tallies ever, with Steve Reyes (great Warlock AA/FA wheelstand) coming in first, Bob McClurg (Ray Motes losing a wheel at Indy) second by just one point, and Strutt's fine photo third by another point. This contest is voted on by the other photographers, racers and fans, so what an honor!

I got to stand in for Strutt at the award ceremony. By the way, thank you to everyone who wrote to me about Charles; many will miss him!