There has been a marked return to simplicity in the hot rodding world over the last few years. Events like the Race of Gentlemen and others have really gotten people into looking at hot rods as devices for fun and relaxation rather than as killer competition vehicles. Following along in this same vein, there was an event held in Colorado last year that really captured the same ethos and it looks like it was a really fun time. The Hot Rod Dirt Drags in Monte Vista, Colorado drew out cars from all over the western part of the USA and they came to hang out and go fast on the eighth mile dirt drag strip that was carved into some land at a classic Drive-In Theater. Yes, this thing combined the coolness of old style drag racing with the allure of a drive-in. Heavenly for sure.

The video below takes us through the event, how it came to be, and what it looked like. It also introduces us to some of the attendees and does so while splicing in some looks back at vintage dirt drag racing film taken in what had to be the 1950s or very eaglet 1960s judging by the looks of the cars.

There’s always something cool about being able to say you were at the first running of an event like this because we’re guessing that this bad boy is set to really take off like the Race of Gentlemen has done. We hope it has a long future and lots of hot rodders head from all over creation to see and experience it for themselves. There’s nothing like getting out there with your car and having a good time. Speed isn’t the key here, winning isn’t the key here, just being there to take it in is victory in and unto itself!