An attitude adjustment for the season
12/8/06
 Jeff Burk Photo |
OK, I’m tired of being negative. That’s a biggie, especially for me. A new path is going to be followed this month. I have been to the Promised Land. I drank the Kool-ade. I have seen the Secret. I have been converted. All that and I’ve been brainwashed by listening to holiday tunes on the radio while at work. Nothing like welding up pipe while The Ronettes belt out “Sleigh Ride.” Come on, it’s lovely weadah for a sleigh ride togedah with you…
That’s right, the holidays. Or as we racers deem this time of year, the “off season.” A time when you get to take your heap down to bare pipe and check it over for cracks, fix all those nagging little items that drove your crew crazy since the test session before the March Meet last year. Maybe clean out the trailer and organize the cabinets if you are really a sick puppy. You also get to tell yourself and anyone who will listen that “I’m actively seeking sponsors for my seldom seen bucket of bolts” and how it will benefit mankind by eliminating global warming and give your suckers, er, ah, sponsors, a little (and I mean a little) exposure. And spend some time with your family, whether you like it or not.
So, let’s drag out Andy Williams, dust him off, prop him up and all join in with (Band intro, 1an ah 2 an ah 3 an ah 4,) It’s the most wonderful time, of the year!
That’s right, folks! Despite all the doom and gloom about the Goodguys pulling out for the 2007 season, tons of events are shaping up for you to run your nostalgia car at next year. It’s true I usually focus on the Goodguys / VRA racing series because I’m lazy and that is what I have competed in – but no more! It’s a new dawning of my realization that there is more to life than the Goodguys and the VRA. Yes! The Kool-ade is still working and as I type this I’m trying on my purple jumpsuit waiting for the mothership to land and take me to the Promised Land. I’m being positive. Go with it. Really.
Let’s take a look at what has been announced thus far regarding the 2007 season.
Goodguys will run a few select races during the 2007 season. Starting with Indy, the weekend of June 8, 9, and 10. This is also rumored to be an NPCA points meet with a full array of new classes to add to their successful program they ran in ‘06. Not sure if any VRA Top Fuel or Funny Cars will be bought in for a match race show. I kind of doubt it. Next up is Columbus Ohio in July for the popular Friday night drags held on the 13th. The last drag event for the Goodguys will be another hot Friday night drags show held in July again, on the 27th at their Puyallup Washington stop.
The Nostalgia Funny Car Association, have eight tentative dates up on their website for 2007.
The March Meet, March 10-11, Bakersfield, CA
The 2nd Annual Old Tucson Dragway Reunion, March 23-24, Tucson, AZ
Funny Car Fever, April 21, Sacramento , CA
Funny Car Fever, July 7, Salt Lake City, Utah
Nostalgia Nitro Extravaganza, August 3-4, Spokane, Wash.
Pepsi Nightfire Nationals, August 11-12, Boise, Idaho.
California Hot Rod Reunion, October 12-14, Bakersfield, CA
Fuel and Gas Finals, November 3-4, Bakersfield, CA
You can bet that the AA/FD Inc. folks will be at most of these events as well. Their schedule should be announced before the end of the year.
The NERA so far have one date confirmed for Barona Drag Strip. The date is September 8th and is again being held with the ever-so popular Fox Hunt. Other dates at Barona include May 20th and September 23rd for the Antique Drags. This is the same event that was long held at Carlsbad Raceway.
ANRA are working on their 2007 season and have talked about maybe getting into Bakersfield and venturing out of state for some events.
The previously mentioned NPCA are also slaving away at a schedule and have three dates thus far on tap for Indy in early summer. They are also hoping to get the much bantered about on the ‘boards, Match Race of the Century for a couple of Funny Car troublemakers. More on that if it looks like it may happen.
I know I missed a bunch of groups who are committed to the Nostalgia movement. If you don’t tell me you’re out there (and yes I know I’m out there) send me your schedule and I would be more than happy to share it with the world. I can make you rich and famous and almost as good lookin’ as I am. Or I can try. Must be the Kool-ade or possibly the kids broken CD player stuck on Bing Crosby’s Melekalikimaka that’s causing me these delusions. Before I start quoting lines from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we need to stop.
One last bit of info here for you all. Long time friends of Getting Nostalgic, the Frantic Fueler bunch (my favorites) running a 426 and big tires, are at it again. They have started up a group to promote front motor fuel dragsters in the Midwest. They are calling it the Pro Fuelers Association and welcome any Midwest or East Coast based front motor fuel car to join in the fun. If you want contact info hit me at my DRO mail address and I’ll hook you up.
OK gang, from my nitro-addled, kid-induced brain damage dysfunctional world to yours, have a great holiday season. 
 utterback@dragracingonline.com |
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