Thu, 5 Oct 2006, 04:57 PM $50 Million brought to Kern County during Hot Rod Reunion's 15 Years

Courtesy of Michael Hollander Tourist and Industry Dollars Help County and Local Business Coffers

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- When the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion comes to Kern County, Oct. 6-8, hot rodders will be welcomed with open arms by the local community. That's because, as they celebrate the 15th Annual Reunion at Auto Club Famoso Raceway and the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield, Reunion attendees will be bringing in millions of dollars, part of more than $50 million in direct economic impact to Kern County over the event's 15-year history.

In 2005 alone, an estimated $6.2 million was generated for the communities of Kern County during the three day event. The event has shown a steady growth pattern over its 15 years of operation.

In addition to restaurant meals and lodging, the hot-rodders and their families will spend money on souvenirs, fuel, picnic food and much, much more.

"We've been very conservative in looking at the numbers," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the non-profit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. "Hot rodders have spent a lot more money than we've calculated, when you include the money spent in restoration and repair shops in the Bakersfield area." The Parks Museum produces and benefits from the Reunion, which is also presented by the Auto Club.

Blake Bowser, a member of the board of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and vice president of operations for Auto Club Famoso Raceway said that in just the past four years, the Reunion's impact on the local advertising market alone has increased substantially. "The economy has received a boost from the Reunion of $25 million in the past four years alone," Bowser said. "Although the early records are not as complete, I wouldn't be surprised at all to find that there's even more help to Kern County than the $50 million they've figured."

"The Reunion was only supposed to be a one-time event," said Steve Gibbs, one of the Reunion's founders and a former vice president of the National Hot Rod Association. "So we weren't counting as accurately as if we'd known that the 15th anniversary celebration would be coming up in 2006. Heck, we weren't sure there'd be many of us left by now."

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 early-days- style front-engine dragsters being push-started, then all gathered together on the drag strip starting line with engines running or 'cackling."

Tickets for the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, are available by calling 800/884- 6472. A full-event credential is $55 for adults and kids under 16 get in free with a paid adult. Credentials include a "goody bag" that features the highly collectible Reunion Annual and a dash plaque. AAA members receive a $5 discount on a full-event credential or $2 off on Saturday or Sunday daily tickets when they show their membership card. Daily ticket prices are: Friday, $15; Saturday, $20; and Sunday, $20. Camping passes are available with credential purchase at $50 and swap meet spaces are just $40 for a 20' x 20' space. Daily tickets may be purchased at the gate of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, north of Bakersfield on Highway 99. For additional Reunion information, call 909/622-8562 or visit http://www.museum.nhra.com.

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