I just got off the phone with Glenn Stephenson, founder and official torch holder for the CNTA or California, Nevada Timing Association. This drag racing club was founded in 1939 and met at the track for club races continuously until about 1970 when the popularity of professional drag racing made it tough for the hobbyists to compete. Glenn is a long time friend of my Pops. I wanted to let all the CNTA members know this reunion's happening cause as Glenn said, "Since the 1999 reunion, those guys are all dying, so this might be the last one!" The details are this: March 15th, 2008 at the Richmond Rod & Gun Club in Richmond, CA For any other info, you should contact Glenn Stephenson or his wife Karen at 510-237-4238. I took notes the best I could and I hope to get more info from the reunion from Pops and his buddy Harry, but to fill you in on a few details, the CNTA was a group of racers that had an organized schedule of where they'd run. They'd rotate tracks, Baylands in Fremont, Cotati, Vaca Valley, Half Moon...

Out of all the days... It rains here 0.8" on average in February in "sunny" Chandler, Arizona, but for some sick, demented and just play wrong reason, it had to rain on my vacation day at the NHRA Nationals. Why not rain on some damn golf event! 26 days of rain a year! That's all we get... It's a fact. 7% for the math challenged... 7 days out of 100. I guess I'm just lucky. I did have a good time though! Hang'n at a track is always fun. My buddy Dave (click for his garage) races a 1974 Vega in Super Street. Lucky me had a dry trailer to hang in and I got to bring the 12 pack and the Carl's Jr. Just in case you're wondering, a "Combo meal with a side of hamburger" isn't a joke. It means get an extra burger or Joe's (click for his garage) gonna be hungry. Somehow we survived with a 4-buck hot dog to ease the hunger pain. Dave wasn't so lucky, or was he? After his shake down run, he felt his powerglide slipping. (Was that the name...

We built a new 496 c.i. engine for my dragster in Jan 06, got it race ready Feb, then found the bad fuel pump. Much to my sadness, I lost my sponsor (my wife, whose company moved to St. Louis leaving us financially unable to race. THANKS DEAR!), so I had to put my racing on hold for a while. Boy do I need a sponsor! The months were very long with all the races rained out and not being able to afford to go racing when Rick Rogers from HammerHead Racing came to me in September and asked if he could put his girlfriend Jennifer Luna in my car to get her supercomp license. I told him the fuel pump was junk and he offered to get one. DONE DEAL, WE’RE GOING RACING!. We arrive at Bakersfield’s Famoso Raceway for a test and tune on Friday afternoon. We set up the pit and prepped the car for a warm up. Rick and the crew decided that I will make a couple shake down runs first as the car hasn’t been down the track since last November, and now...

You'll never guess who's a new member at Ford's media site? MyRideisMe! We'll keep an eye on what's happening with the performance cars and racing action over at the Ford site and post it here so you won't have to look around. This first story hits close to home for me. When Eric Medlen died I had trouble watching drag racing. I've always liked John Force so I cheered for his teammates as well. Eric just seemed like a good guy from watching him in interviews too. That whole incident hit me hard.The John Force Racing team reaction was over the top. They've re-examined EVERYTHING about safety in their funny cars and is doing the right thing by sharing all of the data with the NHRA and the other racing teams. The latest step is illustrated in this story from Ford Media. At Force's request (I'll bet) Ford's doing the in depth engineering study needed to make sure these 7000 HP monsters are as safe as they can be. Great work guys! Courtesy of Ford's Media: DEARBORN, Mich. – Accelerating safety development in the sport of drag racing, the...

I've found a book I've got to tell you about. It's called Speed Kings by the German Hot Rod & Pin-Up Photographer Dirk Behlau. Dirk was kind enough to let MyRideisMe.com use a photo he took, including Switzerland's premier pinup model Zoe Scarlett, for a promotional flier at Billetproof. While I rush to get this photo printed, I'll let Dirk describe the book in his own words: It's a Satanic drag thing you wouldn't understand! It's not what you think it is. It's pure power, adrenaline, danger, suspense, Pin-Ups, passion and soul. Call it Rock 'n' Roll! Die Gestalten proudly present "Speed Kings", the hottest publication this summer's likely to see. "Speed Kings" presents photographs by Dirk Behlau that show the wonderful world of Drag racing. My photographs skillfully capture the primordial displays of power and high-tech, the eroticism of machines and the open flirtation with death and destruction. It was certainly not Jesus who built these Hot rods but dedicated people who create, drive and admire their time bombs like no-one else. Drag racing's individual brand of aesthetics fascinates an ever-growing community of fans all around the world....

Vintage Drag Racing Back before I was born, my pops raced this car in northern California, especially Fremont Baylands Raceway and Vaca Valley. It was called, "The Happy Home Wrecker" (my parents are divorced): I have some great memories of this car because after my dad raced it, he sold it to his friend and racing partner Brad Bradly. I used to see it at Brad's shop, Bradly's Automotive in Pt. Richmond, CA. Any time he was going to move that car, we wanted to see it cause it was the loudest car we'd ever heard. Many years later, after the car had changed hands a few times, the new owner, Don Boucher, tracked down Brad in Nevada. Now that I knew who had this old friend, I contacted Don and told him who I was. Don plans to return this car to it's former drag racing glory. I will be updating this blog based on the progress Don makes. I hope to see this car running again. Don, keep us posted! To see more picture of, "The Wrecker" go to Don's Garage at MyRideisMe.com The next story isn't...