Gone Racin��to the Eibach Springs Festival of Speed

Steve Lewis performed miracles and excitement among the racing fraternity in the Southwest, with the 1st Annual Eibach Springs Festival of Speed, at Irwindale Speedway, in Irwindale, California. With support and sponsorship by Mission Foods, Lewis contacted and brought together the best vintage and modern racing cars in a multitude of automotive racing styles. Drag racing cars of all shapes, ages and power were on display, and many also put on a display of speed for the fans on the 1/8^th mile dragstrip. This is one of the premier drag strips in Southern California, in the heart of the Los Angeles basin, with the Mount Baldy Mountain range for a backdrop. Modifieds, roadsters, slingshot dragsters, altereds and many other modern and vintage drag cars raced down the strip. Greg Sharp from the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum was on hand to answer question about the vintage drag cars on display.

Quarter midgets, both the kind I remember in the 1940�s and more recent vintage were raced on a perfectly oval course by youth as young as 5, and watched with excitement by those as old as 85. Parents and stewards, gave signals for pit stops, to work on these little wonders, and to root on their favorite sons or daughters, racing for victory. The tracks are normally 1/20^th of a mile, and the little cars found their groove and just flew around the track. I spoke to Alex Bowman, age 10 from Tucson, Arizona, a seasoned veteran and champion of the � midget racing circuit. With a professional demeanor and an expert�s eye, he detailed the workings of the tiny but potent cars, and his experiences on the track. He is proud of the record that he set in his class of 5.651 seconds for a lap record. Alex has his eye set on driving Midgets, Silver Crown and Formula 1 cars. Amanda Poertner, known as �On the Gas Amanda, showed off her car. Her proud parents explained that there were 90 � midgets at the Festival of Speed, and it is a large and growing sport, with leagues throughout the country. Though � midget racing is fast and furious, I could see that there were well-trained professionals supervising every aspect of the event.

Displays were everywhere and the event seemed like the medieval bazaars of yesteryear.  There were equipment makers such as Andersen Pit Tools, Mission Foods and other sponsors and supporters of the local racing scene. A 6 person mariachi band played Mexican favorites while spectators ate the delicious Mexican food from the Irwindale food stands, all under the big Mission Foods tent. Go-Kart racing for adults, a permanent part of Irwindale Speedway, was available for a price, and there were many that were willing to race these superquick Karts. The International Karting Federation has races at Irwindale Speedway, Riverside, Beaumont and Apple Valley, among various racing  venues in the Southland. For thrills, but no spills, there are few forms of racing that can give this much of an adrenaline rush as Go-Karting.

Land speed cars were on display, followed by a contingent of SCTA and Bonneville racers from past and present. Jim Miller, Dan Warner, Jim and Randy Travis, old time dry lakes and salt flat racers recounted tales of land speed racing. Alex Xydias was there with his contingent of So-Cal Speedshop cars and push truck, speaking with Bruce Meyer, owner of the Greer/Black and Prudhomme car, and President of the Petersen Automotive Museum Board. Bud Meyer, who tuned many an engine on the lakes, water and oval tracks was there to admire the event and relate how racing has changed in the last 70 years.  Parnelli Jones stood next to OL� Calhoun, the AJ Watson Roadster (replica) car that he won the Indy 500, back in 1963. Recognized by his peers as one of the most talented drivers to ever race at Indy, he patiently signed autographs as his fans recognized him. Jimmy Oskie, always a fan favorite and racing champion, came to admire the cars and give autographs. Kids were allowed to use the tools at the open wheel car exhibit. Next to that display was 4 IRL exhibition cars for fans and spectators to climb inside and to play in a visual racing game, matching their reflexes and skill with what the actual drivers would do at Indy. Dick Kraft�s �Bug,� the origin for all drag cars, and Ken Brenneman�s �29-30 Midget Championship car, also starred in this extravaganza of old racing machines.

• As we neared the entrance to the track, we came upon the URA midgets all lined up in a Fabulous row, over 30 of the cars, some with the classical lines and others of more modern vintage. Ken Hillberg, Andy Casale, Walt James, Lloyd Hendrickson and all the guys from the URA, CRA and other old racing leagues were holding court. We waved to Nick Arias, from Arias Racing Pistons, and Ed Pink as they walked by. Walt said that the CRA Reunion has been scheduled for January 8, 2005, but didn�t say who the Honoree for the reunion will be. Jimmy Oskie and Parnelli Jones were talking about the upcoming Car Racers Reunion that will be held at Parnelli�s business and museum complex in Torrance. Any chance to see Parnelli�s collection of cars is one not to miss. Walt James said to come out to Willow Springs to watch the old midgets and dirt cars in action. 

Gone Racin� is at [email protected]

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