NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

As we celebrate the enduring spirit of the California Hot Rod Reunion, we are excited to reprint this 1992 National Dragster article that captures the passion and nostalgia of the event’s inaugural year. Born from the desire to reunite racers and fans in an emotional setting, the Reunion became a powerful tribute to the golden era of drag racing. This article, written by John Jodauga, revisits the first gathering at Famoso Dragstrip, where the thrill of AA/Fuel Altereds and front-engine dragsters brought racers back together. Decades later, the feelings still run deep, reminding us of the Reunion’s timeless impact.

by John Jodauga

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Time warp, twilight zone, a trip into the past are just a few of the descriptive phrases heard as people entered Bakersfield Raceway for the inaugural California Hot Rod Reunion Nov. 14-15, 1992 .For many charter members of the baby-boomer generation, the sight of AA/Fuel Altereds, A/FXers, and the long-lost front-motored AA/Fuel Dragsters, and the hundreds of the pioneer racers who campaigned them rekindled the memories of their first trek to a local California dragstrip.

As more attendees poured through the gates, the heartwarming scene of former race rivals giving each other bear-hug greetings through misty eyes indeed was memorable. In a year that produced drag racing's first 300-mph run and some of the sport's most competitive racing, the inaugural California Hot Rod Reunion provided a season-end-ing exclamation point with an event of its own unique nature: a simple, low-key recreation with the initial magnetic appeal that has made quarter-mile competition a major influence in motorsports.

Perhaps the most poignant statement about the Reunion came Saturday afternoon from NHRA Vice President-Competition Steve Gibbs, who described to Diamond P's Dave McClelland the origin of the event. "After attending yet another funeral for one of our drag-racing pioneers," Gibbs recalled, "I told (former NHRA vice president) Bernie Partridge that it seemed the only times we had a chance to get together with old friends was when someone passed away, and we should try to get everybody together under less-depressing circumstances. That gave us the idea of having a reunion for not just one but all of the California tracks, and we were on our way."

Original plans for the Reunion did not include competition, but popular demand and assistance from the American Nostalgia Racing Association resulted in eight-car Top Fuel and Jr. Fuel fields. For the first time at an event of this type, nostalgia cars were subjected to NHRA rules, inspected by ANRA tech officials, and run under ANRA and NHRA supervision. The racers responded with a show fitting for the occasion.

Bill Alexander, former driver for Ernie's Camera and of many other entries, set Low E.T. of the Meet with an eye-opening 6.45, and Gary Steiner's 220-mph qualifying blast was good for Top Speed. In eliminations, Bill Dunlap nipped Sam Chastain's beautiful entry in the Top Fuel final, 7.09 to 7.16, and Mike Brown took Jr. Fuel over Stacy Paul, 7.75 to 7.81.

In attendance were 175 street rods, more than 100 non-running display cars of drag-racing and salt-lakes vintage, more than 40 exhibition cars, and 200-plus vehicles that took part in the cruisin' parade. Just as this year's Jr. Drag Racing League has created the groundwork for the sports future stars, many who can hardly wait to begin competing, the inaugural California Hot Rod Reunion has given quarter-mile pioneers something to look forward to.

Huge success spawns a second event!

The inaugural California Hot Rod Reunion attracted a two-day crowd of nearly 10,000 from 30 states and Canada to Bakersfield's famed Famoso Dragstrip. They came to celebrate the hot-rod tradition that took root in California and spread to the rest of the country during the '40s,'50s, and '60s. Visitors were treated to racers and equipment they hadn't seen in decades.

GLENDORA, Calif. - The recent California Hot Rod Reunion at Bakersfield Raceway generated such a favorable response that the Reunion Committee has announced that a second reunion will be held at Bakersfield next year, Nov. 13-14, 1993.

"We feel that the only responsible thing to do is to hold a second California Hot Rod Reunion," said Bernie Partridge, committee chairman. "We have heard from hundreds of reunion attendees, and the response has been 100 percent in favor of doing it again." The event, a social opportunity to relive hot rodding's exciting past, will again feature racing, special ceremonies, and evening entertainment.  Present were cars that set unbelievable marks on the dry lakes, cars that carved legends out of asphalt on the dragstrips, and nearly 200 classic street rods. It will happen for a second time in 1993. Rod and car clubs have indicated that scouting parties sent to the first reunion should grow into full-fledged rod runs in 1993. More legendary racing equipment should be completed before next year, and more people will be putting the event on their calendar far in advance. The traveling NHRA alumni program, featuring vintage race cars and begun at the '91 Winston Finals to generate interest in the reunion, is scheduled to be at select NHRA National events in 1993.

Be part of the California Hot Rod Reunion legend, and join these icons this weekend at Famoso! For more information and tickets, go to FamosoDragstrip.com