Chrisman’s Christmas Party
Santa Ana, CA
12-15-06
Story by Richard Parks
Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz

Art and Dorothy Chrisman host this annual Christmas Party at their shop in Santa Ana, California, each December. Besides the delicious food and hospitality that the Chrisman’s provide, there is the added bonus of seeing friends who come from all over Southern California.

Art and Dorothy Chrisman host an annual Christmas Party at their shop in Santa Ana, California, each December. Besides the delicious food and hospitality that the Chrisman’s provide, there is the added bonus of seeing friends who come from all over Southern California to party. This year the Chrisman’s brought in an In-N-Out Burgers truck and served double-doubles to everyone. Justin Alvarez cooked the hot and spicy Southwestern Chili, and Mike Chrisman, Squeek and other family and friends pitched in to help. The party spilled over from the Chrisman’s garage into adjoining garages, which are located in a complex of garages owned by car dealer and collector, Joe MacPherson.
 
The Chrisman family has a rich history and heritage in auto racing and car building that goes back to their roots in Missouri, since the early 1920’s.

Art and Mike, with their friends and employees, have built some of the finest hot rods and race cars in the country. They are still actively involved, and their annual party is a way to bring together their friends and competitors in motorsports racing. Art’s party is more than pure nostalgia for the hot rodder and racing fan of the past. One comes to the Chrisman Christmas party to see what is happening in the latest style of hot rod and race car design. Just as likely, you will find an authentic restoration of a classic car, hot rod or antique racecar, and it will be totally accurate. The mechanics, craftsmen and builders that work in the MacPherson complex own their own businesses, but they work together in a symbiotic relationship to help bring to life the most beautiful cars imaginable.

Art’s party is more than pure nostalgia for the hot rodder and racing  fan of the past. One comes to the Chrisman Christmas party to see what is happening in the latest style of hot rod and race car design.

The guests who came have contributed so much to hot rodding and car racing. They included Frank Baney, Jim Rossi and Chuck Goebel from the Spaghetti Bender and Yeakel Brothers dragster, which they are restoring. Jim Travis is a landspeed legend and racing car restorer, came with his son Randy. Doug Kruse, inventor and car builder who is busy working on land speed cars for the Ferguson’s, was in attendance. Doug’s shop in Anaheim also specializes in turbocharging. Steve and Gloria Gibbs were visiting from Utah. Gibbs, known as “The Hook,” was a long-time NHRA track manager. Dick Martin, writer and hotrodder, discussed his latest projects. Debbie and Jim Baker promote the Cruisin’ For A Cure Car Show every year to help raise funds and awareness of Prostate Cancer. Jim fought prostate cancer and Debbie created the car show to help fight this dread disease that afflicts so many men. Pat Berardini, and his brother Jim, reflected on the original drag racing track at Santa Ana, and how C.J. and Peggy Hart were so instrumental in opening the first professional drag racing facility. Another early day dragracer at Santa Ana was Don Cook, who raced a ’34 coupe. Cook pointed to Don Montgomery, a fine hot rod writer, and said, “he’s my cousin-in-law.” Montgomery was a well-known street racer until the dragstrips opened, and then he raced his Hudson to great success.

Jack Underwood (Jack’s garage) and Leo Dempsey (Garage groopy)

Eric “Rick” Rickman is the dean of hot rod, car and boat racing photography. Land speed racers included Alan and Gene Barbee, Neil Thompson, Tom “Turkey” Tregeagle, Ron Bell, Warren Bullis, Ron Phelps, and J. D. Tone. Greg Sharp is the curator for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Louie Senter, racer, speed shop owner and hotrodder came with vintage car insurer, Bob Leggio. Two firemen, George Steele and Leo Dempsey came with Jack Underwood. Underwood is well known among the Donut Derelicts as the host of Jack’s Garage, a place where benchracing is encouraged. Rick Finn, the HotRodArtist was honored. He passed away at the age of 52, and his artwork and enthusiasm will be missed.

Paul Pfaff, master engine builder for boat and car racing, said that the market is soft this winter, after a strong run of 4 good years. Dave Parker, the Reverend Scrub Hansen, Paul Miyeda and Roy Watanabe reflected on the party. Ed Osepian was the winner of the first drag race, at Goleta, in 1949. Richard Catton, Dorothy Chrisman’s nephew said, “I used to ask Art if I could go to the Pomona drags with him and help out. As a teenager that was a real thrill.” Dale Kersh wore the red Santa Ana Drags jacket that his father won half a century ago.

 
George and Dennis Striegel relaxed and talked of the past with Steve McElroy. George won boat-racing championships in the 70’s until he was forced to retire due to injuries. McElroy also won championships in the 70’s, but after losing 8 of his friends to fatal accidents, gave up racing in 1978. Striegel owns Clay Smith Cams and is working on fuel pumps. They spoke fondly of the endurance, drag and oval boat racing that was so popular four decades ago, and how they devised ways to refuel faster, and improve their racing skills. “There are two things that drivers forgot to do,” said McElroy, “one was to start, and the other was to finish. Modern drivers only concentrated on the things between the start and finish.” McElroy was one of the founders of the Donut Derelicts, an unofficial group of hotrodders who met at a donut shop in Huntington Beach, at the corners of Magnolia and Adams. That gathering still continues to this day, although now there are over 300 cars and a thousand or more hotrodders who come to benchrace and show off their cars. The annual Chrisman Christmas party is a highlight at the end of the racing season. Art, Dorothy and Mike Chrisman make this event very special for those who love cars and speed.

George Streigel won boat-racing championships in the 70’s until he was forced to retire due to injuries		Heather Roberts is usually found directing the staging lanes at the drag races
Art Chrisman (l) with Pat Berardini (m) original owner of one of the “75 Significant Deuces”.		Prolific writer Richard Parks (r) talks with Mr. and Mrs. Don Cook
Art’s engine room holds a special interest for many of the guests.		The party spilled into the chilly night. The fires provided needed warmth.
(l-r) Sparky Horaczko (Ape handler), Mike Chrisman (Art’s son), Kenny Duncan, & Bill Stewart (Stewart Surfboards)		(l-r) Richard Catton (sprint car motors), Bob Mckray with fellow Jr Fuel racer Mike Chrisman.
Art shows off the famous “pinstriped” refrigerator to Jr Fuel racer Mike Craig ( Kelly Craig’s Dad).