California Hot Rod Reunion #17 10/08
By
California Hot Rod Reunion #17
NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series
Auto Club Famoso Raceway
Bakersfield, CA
10-10 thru 12-08
Story and Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz
The 17th annual California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 10-12 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., was a 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. It was also the season finale of the inaugural NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series.
In the Heritage Series included 300 race care performing in 10 Classes and a very interesting Exhibition Class. In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Troy Green from Purcell, Okla, nabbed the title over Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif. Green, who clung to a slim 5-point lead over Murphy, appeared headed for a championship-deciding final, but both were beaten in their semi-finals contests. Green lost to Rick White and Brett Harris took Murphy out, thus giving Green the title. Rick White, San Diego, Calif. then beat Harris, Kaysville, Utah, whose car broke down at the starting line, to win the Hot Rod Reunion race title. White’s winning time was 255.89 mph with a 5.819 ET.
Over 20 cars competed in Nostalgia Funny Car and Bucky Austin from Fife, Wash., hit the daily double, clinching the Hot Rod Heritage Series title and winning the Hot Rod Reunion race. In the finals, Austin (244.03 mph, 5.749 ET) defeated Kris Krabbill of Orange, Calif., who ran 245.83 mph with a 5.942 ET.
Other Heritage Series champions crowned at this finale were; A/Fuel – Kin Bates, AA/Gas Supercharged – Steve Woods, Jr. Fuel A – Scott Parks, Jr. Fuel B – Bud Hammer, and Nostalgia Eliminator l – Dave Ward.
Of coarse the Winged Express with Mike Boyd behind the wheel made another unforgettable nighttime pass. The crowd went crazy! You MUST see this event, contact the NHRA Museum for more information.