For all intents and purposes, we’re about done with big time stuff in 2013. SEMA was basically our last hurrah. Sure, we have PRI coming up and we’ll be cranking the content every day but our collective travel schedules throttle way back this time of the year. That’s not a complaint. We’re looking forward to spending more time with the kiddos, catching up on home improvement projects, and doing other homebody related stuff. Reflecting back on the racing year that was, I have a lot of stuff that will stick with me for a long time. From traveling with a group of muscled up diesel trucks into the Rocky Mountains, to calling drag races at strips far and wide, to spending some time on Drag Week, to making some cool videos with the people at Hot Rod, Diesel Power, and others. We know that you have made your own memories in 2013. Maybe it was a road trip, a thrash, attending a first time event, teaching yourself something new, buying a project car, etc.
If I was picking a favorite singular moment, it would have been my 8th day in a row announcing drag races. I was at New England Dragway in Epping, NH at the first ever NHRA New England Hot Rod Reunion. Bob Frey and Dave McClelland were in the tower as they handled some of the emcee duties during the Cacklefest and awards presentation. Both guys were super complimentary of my work that weekend and one of the guys in the tower goaded me into jumping into a photo with them. I am not a “jump in a photo guy” but in this case I didn’t want to miss the chance of being in the picture with two of the greatest drag racing announcers ever. Being able to spend time with Bret Kepner on the salt and Jon Lundberg in Bowling Green completed a stunning “grand slam” of hero worship over the summer.
Now….your turn!
BangShift Qustion Of The Day: What Was Your Favorite/Best Gearhead Memory From 2013 ?
Going to Bonneville for the first time and ran flat ass into don pruhdomme. Drank a beer with him at the black and white and Alanna from hot rod it made a great trip even better.
For me it was the week last January tooling around California and getting married while there, then going to the Grand National Roadster Show.
I recently discovered where a 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T is located after being away for over 20 years, and it turns out a friend owns it.
Seeing and speaking with Jon Lundberg again, after so very many years, topped my list this year. It reminded me that its never what you’re doing, its who you’re doing it with, that makes it memorable. I knew that, its just that sometimes I forget.
MELTDOWN DRAGS Byron,IL
July 22,23 best vintage drag racing event ever ! ! !
Watching Drag Week at Indy.
Being in the tower at Beech Bend after the Cackle Fest and seeing Bob Frey turn to Brian Lohnes and tell him he did a great job announcing over the weekend then seeing the look on Brians face with that compliment was priceless
First it was the New England Nationals and the The New England Hot Rod reunion it doesn’t get any better tha that up here in new England
First it was the New England Nationals then The New England Ho Rod Reunion,it doesn’t get any better than that here in New England
I would have to say quitting my long time limo driving in LA. Then hopping in the ’65 Impala, driving it to NorCal to visit family and friends before heading east on US 50 to Ely, NV to meet up with Jim Forbes and Randal Burns. We all drove up to Bonneville, they stayed for a few days, but I had to push on east to Kearney, NE to start a new job. Then a month later, I flew back to LA to pack up my crap, put my Caprice on a trailer behind the rental truck, then cannonballed back to Nebraska to start a new chapter in my life.
My best friend Sandra (my wife) and I were fortunate to go to Columbus Oh. Good Guys show and hook up with old friends from NY, we had the best time! We now are in Fl., but so much enjoyed seeing them @ the show.
We have been to Ca. for the LA Roadster show and Bonneville, but this was special.
I also enjoyed all of the above input, nothing like hearing all things positive. It’s great reading about other peoples adventures.
Going back to Island Dragway after it closed late last year. My favorite little track!
This may sound like B.S. (not Bang Shift, but the other B.S.), but getting to meet Mr Brian Lohnes face to face for the first time at the March Meet was a real treat. Thanks to the rain we had a nice long chat. I’d met Chad (great guy) several times but never the east coast part of the Bang Shift empire. Follow that up with Champion Speed Shop winning the CHRR and it was a good year.
Easily the best moment… SLAMFEST demolition derby in Puyallup WA when my son was ganged up on against the wall..no tires on the rear, he powers the holder away and the bashers take themselves out!
Track was asphalt and wet.. He still had a 20 foot by 2 ft high rooster tail spitting out the rims.
His roof sign is a ROOSTER