Thu, 5 Oct 2006, 04:55 PM Snap, 'Cackle', Pop

Courtesy of Bill Groak More than 40 Historic Dragsters to Light 'em up at the 2006 Cacklefest

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Snap, cackle, pop: yes, it's Cacklefest time again at the 15th annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion (CHRR), Oct. 6- 8. Cacklefest, held on Saturday night, Oct. 7, is one of the many highlights for fans during the 3-day, fun-fest of nostalgic dragsters and hot rods at Bakersfield's historic Auto Club Famoso raceway.

Cacklefest will feature more than 40 historic dragsters, push-start old-school, front engine dragsters at the center of the drag strip and firing them up, creating a 'cackling sound'. "At the last Cacklefest, the event was surreal," said, Greg Sharp, Reunion director and curator of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, producers of the event. "Seeing these retired cars firing up together brought the crowd to tears of joy."

"Cacklefest is about reliving the glory and an opportunity to show that these historic dragsters have not been neglected to sit in a garage somewhere," said Steve Gibbs, former vice president and current board member of the Parks Museum. "These are race cars, and their home is on the strip. This year we anticipate the return of a rich assortment of legendary cars to the strip, including several restored entries making debut appearances. There is a good possibility that Bakersfield's own James Warren and Roger Coburn's 'Ridge Route Terrors' restored front-engine dragster will make an appearance. In addition, Chris 'The Greek' Karamesines' Chizler will highlight the field of many other notable entrants."

According to Gibbs, a few of the scheduled cars to appear include CHRR's Grand Marshal Roland Leong with "The Hawaiian," owned by Ted Guth and driven by Larry Reyes; Sam Chastain's "Iron Horse" dragster, with the original Salt Lake City-based team of Dan Richins, Rex Pearmain and Al Pehrson; Art Chrisman's "Hustler 1"; and Jerry "The King" Ruth. Norm Weekly will be driving the "The Frantic Four"; Jeep Hampshire in "Magicar"; Kenny Safford in "Sour Sisters"; and behind the wheel of the Petersen and Fitz car will be former NHRA World TF Champion, Rob Bruins. The Beebe and Mulligan car will be driven by Dave West, and the Greer, Black and Prudhomme car will be driven by Steve Davis.

The 15th annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 6-8 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., is a 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum located in Pomona, Calif., the Reunion is part of the museum's "living history" philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.

Since its inception in 1992, the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion has offered hot rodders and racers the opportunity to reunite with old friends and reminisce about "the good old days." The Reunion includes competition on the racetrack, a car show, a chance for fans to meet the legends and stars of the sport and the highly popular "Cacklefest," which involves historic front- engine dragsters being push-started, then all gathered together on the drag strip with engines running or 'cackling."

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