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« on: April 26, 2006, 11:27:36 am » |
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Hello Everyone.
This is to inform you of two big street cackle events scheduled for the Southern California area. One is in Long Beach on July 22nd, and the other will be in Escondido, Cal. on August 18th. Both events are worthy of your consideration, as they are all about vintage drag racing.
First, there is the Long Beach event--
Headed up by Doug Kruse, promoter of the famous P.D.A. (Professional Dragster Association), Rae Gabelich, widow of the late Gary Gabelich, and yours truly, this street cackle is the kick off to next year's 40th Anniversary P.D.A. street cackle. That 64 car show, held in 1967 at Lions Drag Strip, is thought of, by many, as the greatest drag race of all time. And a strong showing of cackle cars this year will hopefully insure that the City of Long Beach will maintain its support for THE BIG ONE to be held in 2007.
This year's event will feature "warm ups", a parade of dragsters, a solo "pass" for each rail, and finally "pairings" as the finale of the evening. Drive lines will be uncoupled or disengaged for this show. The cars will be "coasting" down this open three block "strip", which will be set up on Atlantic Avenue, north of the 405, just 3 miles from where Lions drag strip used to be.
Nitro will be provided at the track for each team. Any nitro left over will be available for purchase at the purchase price. We believe this will be of benefit to the teams that wish to stock up, after the event. The handling of the fuel will be determined by the City of Long Beach, with due regard for all issues involving the safe handling of the fuels used.
Pit areas will be established along the sidewalk on Atlantic Avenue. We will be setting teams up, at a location that allows for the selling of team items from your pit area. Hopefully this will help with the costs involved. There will be three or four designated areas where portable grandstands will be erected. These grandstands will be located right in front of "mock starting lines" which will have either a flag starter or a "christmas tree". For this event, we will have at least one "big screen" that will be showing live shots and period correct stills or movies set to appropriate music. Announcers will be introducing each of the cars and teams as they move by, during the parade portion of the event.
Your first required activity will be a simple "warmup". This should happen just prior to the "racer parade". Rae Gabelich will be holding a raffle. The proceeds from that raffle will go to community improvements in the Bixby-Knolls neighborhood, in Long Beach, just three miles from where Lion's used to be. The winners of this raffle will be CONSIDERED for a seat in dragsters that wish to allow a winner or their qualified designate to sit in the driver's seat during that first warmup. This is NOT a required part of the show. Only those teams that volunteer their seat will be involved. But those teams that do participate will receive $150.00 to cover their costs. The remaining proceeds will go to charity. A "qualified winner" is someone who can handle the seat and is the proper size. Each individual team will determine whether a winner is qualified to sit in their car.
Next will be the "single qualifying runs", each car will be expected to fire up (using their blower starter) then be pushed by their push car, down the course. The push car will provide enough momentum to allow its dragster to "coast", at some point, to the next starting line ahead. The cackle car will then brake to a stop at the "mock" starting line. They will hold for a short moment for photographs to be taken (probably time lapse) then the push car will connect up with the cackle car and again provide the necessary momentum to move to the next "mock" starting line, etc. At the end of the three block "strip" the cars will be shut off, turned around, and then proceed, back to their pit area. Then after a brief time to cool down, the cars will be paired up and do the same thing again. At the end of the "pairings" the show will be concluded and it will be time to pick up. The end of the event will be at around 9:00 p.m.
All this will be accomplished in one day, July 22nd. It's a Saturday. The street will be blocked off early and the participating teams should be in place, in the pits, no later than noon.
Compensation for this event, will be available for those who need it. Some teams don't need the help, others definitely do, and we understand that. Every effort will be made to find the funding necessary to help any interested team make this show. BUT WE NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED AND WILL BE IN A POSITION TO COME. PLEASE REPLY BACK TO ME AS SOON AS YOU MAKE THIS DETERMINATION. WE NEED TO HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF THE KIND OF CACKLE CAR TURNOUT WE CAN EXPECT.
EVENT #2:
On August 18th, we will be holding the three annual "Big Rail Review"/"Nitro Night" in Escondido, Ca. The City of Escondido is hoping for 20 cackle cars this year. Sponsors are being sought to help cover necessary expenses for any team that requests it. We will be doing pretty much the same thing that will be done in Long Beach, but we won't have grand stands and there will only be one "big screen" to show action footage. But just because this is a small town event, doesn't mean that it's not worthy of your consideration. This city loves our participation. The nine cars that appeared last year, put on a great show for the fans and those fans will be hoping for your return. The end result of last year's show was a full two page full color spread in "Hot Rod" Magazine.
Compensation will be provided up front at the moment you arrival. All we ask for is "dependable cackling". I know that's a hard one to call, but we want all teams participating in either one of these events to have their tunes worked out before they hit the street. That doesn't mean you can't work on your car. We encourage that, for it is a part of these shows, but any large thrashes should be accomplished someplace else. You will receive your funds regardless.
And, once again, we are looking for "period correct" running competition cars for these events. Fine examples of cars representing other classes beside just nitro burning dragsters will only richen the experience. Just know that because of the limited space available, it's "invitation only". But you can't get invited unless we know you're out there. So it's time to establish a list of those who want to hear more. Please reply asap and I'll be happy to give you the latest on both events. Also you may give me a call on my cell phone at (760)815-3117.
Thank you for your consideration.
Bill Pitts
"Magicar"/ Vintage Racer Expositions
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