I've been attending drag races for a little over 30 years now. I've been to Winternations, World Finals, March Meet, Hot Rod reunion many more times than I can remember. This race was different for me in a good way. Normally you root for your big name favorite top fuel, prostock driver etc, but the little guy goes unrecognized unless you have some sort of stake in his team. This show allows you to root for a car/driver you've most likely never seen and it was exciting to watch.

I read many posts about the host of the show and I understand the gripes about Rich and the way the show has changed from its inception, but at the end of the day, its his show, his rules and we have a on/off button on our remotes. It is a TV show that provides entertainment and sells ad space which makes money for the network. Rich is a TV producer, not a racer, and not a wrencher as far as we know. After spending pretty much all day melting in the sun as a spectator, I can say this, the host and his team run a tight show. From a spectators standpoint, the racing was great, sandbagging and drama appeared to be a thing of the past at least from our perspective in the stands. The races moved along as fast as they can and it was well worth the price of admission. I was thoroughly entertained. My dad who was a Lions attendee in the 60s said elements of this race reminded him of the old days of drag racing. My 3 year old son loved it as well.

Didn't know what to expect this weekend past in Bakersfield. The turnout was a little low as far as car count, but the stands sure looked full and the air was hot and humid. I was lucky enough to be part of the racing group trying to get a spot. The 11.00-11.49 class just wasn't big enough. I was driving my 1962 Black VW ghia and did a fairly nice burnout, loosing Rich in the drifting smoke. I staged and while waiting for the arm drop, didn't realize that I was still in third gear. Arms fell and I dropped the hammer only to have the car lurch and die on the line,..can you say ROOKIE MOVE. I was super embarassed and bummed that I threw any chance away at competing in the final 16. Rich polled the crowd and he decided to let me compete using the previous passes as my qualifying runs. Look forward to seeing the finished show this Thanksgiving.

It seemes as if everyone was finally sitting when the sun went down and stands were packed.
Rich also gave a few other VW's a pass after bad starts trying to give an opportunity to put a VW in the show, but it wasn't to be. I was looking for your car again as I'm an old school VW fan. Those kinds of oddities tend to be prevalent at all VW events, you know, the wrong gear, the stumbling off first, or snapped axle. I dont know how or why, but when your at the lights your concentration level is so high you tend to forget the most important things. I once rolled through the lights in my 55 VW bug at Pomona when I lost hydralic pressure on my clutch. I could feel it going but I was hoping to beat the light, red lighted instead.