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National Hot Rod Reunion
June 18-20, 2004

California Hot Rod Reunion
Oct. 1-3, 2004
NHRA Motorsports Museum
NHRA Motorsports Museum News

California Hot Rod Reunion to feature live webcast

1010TV has announced a live webcast of the 12th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California in Bakersfield.

Coverage will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 and run until the last Cacklefest car rocks Famoso Raceway. Coverage will continue Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. with eliminations runs in all classes. 1010 TV coverage is a pay-per-view event supporting The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

The cost of the two-day event is $20. To sign up for the webcast, log on to http://www.1010tv.com.

The California Hot Rod Reunion will feature many drag racing superstars of past and present. The webcast will include interviews and highlights from Friday night's CHRR Reception. This year's honorees include John Bradley, Gary Cochran, Bruce Geisler, Pete Millar, Glen Stokey, and grand marshal Bob Muravez.

Cacklefest's historic dragsters stir memories at 12th Annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion

There's something about "Cacklefest" that brings the crowd up to its feet and tears rolling down the cheeks of participants. With about 30 historic dragsters registered for the nostalgia-laced event, waves of emotion will be felt throughout Famoso Raceway, site of Cacklefest and the 12th Annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 3-5.

Cacklefest, which will take place on Saturday night, Oct. 4, involves participants push-starting their early-style front-engine dragsters like they did in the 1960s, then gathering them all together on the drag strip starting line with the engines running or 'cackling."

"It's the highlight of the Reunion," said Greg Sharp, curator of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., producers of the California Hot Rod Reunion. "It brings back such great memories that it's often an emotional experience. It's what the Reunion is all about."

Among the 30 or so cars entered in this year's Cacklefest is "Chubasco," a famous Top Fueler which was raced and owned by Jack Ewell, Bill Stecker and Jim Kamboor back in the early sixties. Like most Cacklefest cars, Chubasco's been rebuilt and is ready to run.

"It's always great to see the results of the hard work that these racers have put in restoring their cars," said Sharp. "Watching these cars push start and 'cackle' Saturday night will bring smiles to a lot of people."

And a few tears, too.

Since its inception in 1992, the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion has offered hot rodders and racers the opportunity to reunite with old friends and reminisce about "the good old days." The Reunion includes competition on the racetrack, a car show, a chance for fans to meet the legends and stars of the sport, a barbeque, Saturday night qualifying under the stars and the highly popular "Cacklefest."

NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion gives Bakersfield $3 million economic boost

When participants and fans of the annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion cruise into Bakersfield Oct. 3-5, they’ll bring their hot rods, cool cars…and their wallets. It’s estimated that the Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, and now in it’s 12th year at historic Famoso Raceway, will bring in an extra $3 million to the Bakersfield area.

“Last year, local TV reported that every hotel in Bakersfield and outlining cities were sold out due to the Reunion,” said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., producers the California Hot Rod Reunion. “The Reunion brings a lot of people to Bakersfield, and they’re here to have a good time.”

Jackson said Reunion participants spend about $1 million on hotel rooms alone. “Add in approximately $1.08 million in meals, plus souvenirs, fuel and other local purchases and we estimate the direct impact on the local economy is more than $3 million,” he explained. “Bakersfield’s a gracious host and the perfect place for the Reunion. That’s why the Reunion keeps growing and bringing in more fans each year. ”

Museum open during L.A. County Fair

During the month of September, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum will share space at the L.A. County Fairplex with the L.A. County Fair but will be open for visitors during the Fair's two-week run at a super discount to fairgoers: admission is only $1 instead of the normal entrance fee of $5.

"Many visitors might not realize we're open while the Fair is running," said Greg Sharp, curator of the Museum. "We always look forward to the Fair's festivities, as well as to our part in enhancing them. It's exciting to be able to offer such a low-price admission so no one has to miss out on enjoying the Museum."

The Museum's spotlight exhibition on the legendary Parnelli Jones is included in the $1 admission. Opened in April, the exhibition has been extended at the Parks Museum through Oct. 19th. The Museum hours during the Fair, which runs from Sept. 12-28, are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

Fairgoers will also get to chance to see a hot rod parade each week night of the Fair. The fairgrounds will roar with excitement as some of L.A. County's finest classic cars make their way to the Museum for special limited-time displays.

On Sat., Sept. 13, a parade of 50 Corvettes - one from each year that car's been built - will cruise in. On Sept. 15 and 22, the Street Rods Forever club displays its custom-built performance machinery. On Sept. 16 and 23, Cal Rods arrive. The Museum's traditional Twilight Cruise for hot rods will be held on Sept. 17 and 24. On Sept. 18, antique fire trucks will lend a colorful presence to the fair while Ford's Thunderbirds will fly in on the 25th. The Inland Roadster Club and High Desert Ten will arrive on the 19th while Forever Classics show up on the 26th.

The club parades begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cruise "right down Broadway" and conclude each afternoon at the Parks Museum. "We're excited about the opportunity the community will have to see such an array of classic automobiles," said Sharp.

"The Fair is gearing up for another great year and so is the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum," said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Museum. "Together we'll be an exciting, educational and rewarding experience for the whole family."

Qualifying under the stars added to 12th Annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion

Let there be flames!

For the first time in its 12-year history, there will be 'qualifying under the stars' at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, Oct. 3-5, 2003, Famoso Raceway, outside Bakersfield, Calif.

"The nighttime fuel qualifying will be spectacular," said Greg Sharp, curator of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and event director of the Museum-produced of the Hot Rod Reunion. "Fans will get a chance to see vintage fuel dragsters header flames during qualifying heats, then see even more during 'Cacklefest.' "

Sharp said Cacklefest, which takes place Saturday night, Oct. 4, is probably the most-anticipated events of the Hot Rod Reunion weekend. It's where historic race cars are push-started down the track like they were decades ago, making their famous exhaust-generated cackling sound and lighting up the night with the glow of burning Nitro..

According to Sharp, Saturday night's schedule also includes the Twilight Memorial at 8, where the Reunion pauses to dedicate a few moments to those racers and hot rodders who passed away during 2003. The Twilight Memorial follows the fuel qualifying, which begins at 6:30. Cacklefest is the finale and starts at 8:15.

Since its inception in 1992, the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion has offered hot rodders and racers the opportunity to reunite with old friends and reminisce about "the good old days." The Reunion includes competition on the racetrack, a car show, a chance for fans to meet the legends and stars of the sport, a barbeque and the highly popular "Cacklefest," which involves early-days-style front-engine dragsters being push-started, then all gathered together on the drag strip starting line with engines running or 'cackling."

Auto Club members will receive a $2 discount on daily admission when they present their membership card at the Famoso Raceway ticket window.

Tickets for the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, are available by calling 800/884-6472. A full event credential is $55 for adults and only $10 for those under 16. Full event credentials include a "goody bag" that features the highly collectible Reunion Annual and a dash plaque. Camping passes are available with credential purchase at $35 and swap meet spaces are just $40 for a 20' x 20' space. Daily tickets may be purchased at the gate of Famoso Raceway, north of Bakersfield on Highway 99.

NHRA Twilight Cruise Night first live webcast Sept. 3

For the first time ever, 1010TV will broadcast an NHRA Twilight Cruise Night direct from the home of hot rodding - the Wally Parks NHRA Sports Museum. This inaugural webcast will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. By going to www.1010tv.com/webcast.htm visitors experience the excitement of the cruise night from their own homes. The webcast will include:

  • Highlights of over 500 of the finest street rods in Southern California
  • Interviews with drag racing legends like Wally Parks, "TV Tommy" Ivo, Doug Thorley, Bob Muravez (AKA Floyd Lippencotte, Jr.) and other surprise guests
  • Clips of 2003 Nostalgia Drag Races
  • Special Tour of the NHRA Museum

    Plus

  • Special prizes for rodders who tune in and answer trivia questions online!

    'Salute to Parnelli Jones' Exhibit extended at Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

    Parnelli Jones wins again!

    Jones, a motorsports icon, is proving to be quite a draw at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif. His exhibit, "A Salute to Parnelli Jones," has been so popular, it's now being extended through Oct. 19, announced Sam Jackson, museum executive director.

    Originally scheduled to end on Aug. 31, the exhibit has been extended by popular demand, Jackson said. "It's brought in more people than any other exhibit in the four-year history of the Museum. By extending it until Oct. 19, thousands of people attending the upcoming Los Angeles County Fair will get a chance to see and enjoy it." (Jackson added that during the Fair, the museum will open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and cost just a $1 to get in.)

    "The Parks Motorsports Museum did a great job setting up and presenting the exhibit," Parnelli Jones said. "I'm touched that it's done so well and pleased the fans are getting a little longer to see it."

    The exhibit features a number of historic vehicles and memorabilia from the Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing collection. Known as the "Super Team," Vel's Parnelli Jones racing team began in 1967 and quickly became one of the most powerful teams in motorsports history. They won back-to-back Indianapolis 500s in 1970-71, five United States Auto Club (USAC) Championships and won a total of 53 Indy car races with 100 top-three finishes. Drivers for the team included Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt Jr., Kevin Cogan, Joe Leonard, Danny Ongais and Al Unser. The team entered 276 USAC National Championship races, qualifying on the pole 47 times. In addition, the team competed in the Formula One World Championship, SCCA Formula 5000 Championship Racing, NHRA drag racing and SCORE Off-road Championship racing.

    Jones' racing career began in the late 1950s running sprints and midgets, but he made his mark at the famed Indianapolis 500. He was Rookie of the Year there in 1961, the first to go around the Brickyard at more than 150 mph, and won the prestigious race as a driver in 1963 in "Old Calhoun."

    The list of landmark Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing vehicles in the exhibit includes:

  • 1963 "Old Calhoun" Indy winner replica
  • 1969 "Big Oly" Bronco
  • 1971 Johnny Lightning Indy winner
  • 1968 "infamous" Lotus Granatelli turbine
  • 1964 Lotus Ford Indy car
  • 1969 4-Cam Ford Champ Dirt car
  • 1976 Mustang Funny car

    Other artifacts and personal memorabilia from Parnelli's career are also on display, including photos, helmets, driving suits, posters, mementos, letters and trophies.

    In addition to his success as an Indy driver, Jones had major victories to his credit in stock cars (he was crowned the USAC Stock Car king in 1964) and sports cars (in 1970 he drove his Ford Mustang to five Trans Am victories and the series championship).

    In more recent years, he garnered off-road racing victories in the famed Mint and Baja events. Jones also won the Times Grand Prix at Riverside and his stock car laurels include a NASCAR Riverside 500 win. Jones was also a driving force behind the Ontario Motor Speedway.

    Cristen Powell's Camaro part of auction to support the Parks NHRA Musuem

    Cristen Powell is in the history books. She is the second youngest person to ever win a professional title at a National Hot Rod Association national event. Less than two months after her 18th birthday she drove the Royal Purple /Sequent Top Fuel dragster to a win at the 1997 MoPar Parts Nationals. Her career best time was 313.85 miles per hour with an elapsed time of 4.59 seconds. The first woman ever to drive a Funny Car over 300 miles per hour and the first in under 4 seconds, she remains the quickest and fastest woman ever to drive a Funny Car. Now she's making a little more history, donating her personal car to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum's first ever collector car auction. Proceeds from the sale of the car will go to supporting the Museum.

    Cristen's car is no ordinary daily driver. She purchased the 1967 Camaro when she was 15 and working in a grocery store, and it is the car that prompted her to go racing on her 16th birthday. The car was re-built from the ground up and includes a balanced Chevrolet 454 big block engine rated at over 500 horsepower, 10.5 - 1 compression, Dart heads, roller rockers, Crane cam, 700R4 automatic transmission, Hughes converter, 4-wheel disc brakes, an all-new Airotech interior and black 2-stage custom paint.

    "Although it's a 10-second car, it is street legal and very drivable," says Casey Powell, Cristen's father and who, along with his daughter, is donating the car. "We are pleased to donate this car to the Parks Museum to help it continue its mission of collecting and displaying the history of hot rodding and motorsports."

    Cristen's Camaro will be auctioned at the Mecum Collector Cars "THE Hot Rod Auction" being held next door to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at the Pomona FairPlex on Father's Day weekend, June 14 and 15. The auction is part of a hot rod weekend, a collection of interconnected events all taking place at the FairPlex and revolving around the hot rod and classic cars. The Hot Rod Weekend is made up of:

  • SO-CAL Speed Shop Open House, Fri., June 13, starting at 3:30 p.m. - Famed builder of traditional-style rods and customs, their annual open house draws cars not often seen at other hot rod events. A great chance to see SO-CAL Speed Shop works-in-progress vehicles and admire the craftsmanship of some of the finest hand-built car builders in the world. SO-CAL Speed Shop: 1357 E. Grand Ave., Pomona, Calif., 909/469-6171; www.so-calspeedshop.com.
  • Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Memorabilia Auction, Fri., June 13, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Following the SO-CAL Open House, and just down the road, participants can cruise to the next stop for the hot rod party: the Parks Museum. For the first time ever, the museum is opening its door for an auction of rare automotive memorabilia. Proceeds go to funding the Museum's exhibits and operation. The festivities will include food and beverages, plus attendees will also have a chance to preview the hundreds of hot rods, customs and collector cars to be auctioned over the next two days at the inaugural Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers' "THE Hot Rod Auction." Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum: 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Building 3A, Pomona, Calif., 909/622-2133; www.nhra.com/museum.
  • L.A. Roadsters Show, Saturday & Sunday, June 14 - 15, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. - 2003 marks the 39th year for this legendary hot rod club's annual roadster exhibition, trade show and automotive swap meet. The largest display of roadsters in the world features hundreds of pre-1936 ragtops, the largest collector car tradeshow on the West Coast, isles and isles of swap meet vendors with hard-to-find vintage car and racing parts and a huge parking lot with more than a thousand hot rods and collector cars. L.A. Roadsters Show: L.A. County Fairplex, Pomona, Calif., 24-hour hotline: 818/768-2255; www.laroadsters.com.
  • Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers' "THE Hot Rod Auction," Saturday & Sunday, June 14 - 15 - Benefiting the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Mecum Auctions is the world leader in the auctioning of hot rods, Corvettes and American muscle cars. Mecum conducts collector car auctions across the country but "THE Hot Rod Auction" will specialize in offering a giant selection of really hot rods, cool customs and vintage drag cars, along with other collector cars. A portion of auction proceeds goes to the Parks Museum. Parks Museum and Building 4 of the L.A. County Fairplex, Pomona, Calif., 815/568-8888; www.mecumauction.com.
  • Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum - Open during the L.A. Roadsters Show and "THE Mecum Hot Rod Auction," the 28,000-sq.-ft. Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, alongside dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds. The Parks Museum is located on the grounds of Los Angeles County's Fairplex in Pomona, Calif.

    A "Super Ticket" 3-for-1 general admission ticket has been created to allow admission to the L.A. Roadster's Show, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and Mecum's "THE Hot Rod Auction" for one low price of $12. The super ticket can be purchased at any of the entrances to the L.A. Roadster's show at the Fairplex on Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15. Shuttles will be available to transport people to and from all three events.

    "The hot rod was invented in Southern California," said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. "The purpose-built nature of the hot rod, its style and attitude and the gifted backyard engineers and craftsmen who built them have gone on to have significant influence on the automobile industry, and our culture in general. The events over Father's Day weekend are a terrific way to learn about and participate in this important part of this region's history."

    The SO-CAL Speed Shop, founded in 1946, was one of the very first businesses created to serve the growing hot rod hobby. It is now recognized as one of the foremost car building shops in the country and has built and restored some of the most famous hot rods and custom cars of all time. "Father's Day weekend in Southern California has become a 'must attend' for a lot of car enthusiasts from all over the country, said Pete Chapouris, president of SO-CAL Speed Shop. "If you're interested in cars, the series of events over this weekend are as good as it gets."

    "The Parks Museum is the perfect backdrop for THE Hot Rod Auction, said Dana Mecum, president of Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers. "The area where we'll hold the auction on Saturday and Sunday is one of the best indoor sites for a car auction I've ever seen. I truly believe "THE Hot Rod Auction" will become an annual event and bring lots more traffic and excitement to the Parks Motorsports Museum and the L.A. Roadsters Show." Mecum, who said he "loves the museum," is guaranteeing it revenue from the auction to help support it. "The Parks Museum is a treasure and I want to help it continue and to grow."

    The L.A. Roadsters, the legendary Los Angeles, Calif.-based, street rod club, has held its enormously popular show for 38 years. Jim Gacchina, the Roadsters' show director, said Roadsters members "emphatically embraced" the idea of working together with the Parks Museum and Mecum on THE Hot Rod Auction. "We think it will be an added bonus for our club members and for those who attend our show," Gacchina said. "We are really looking forward to it."

    For information about registering a car for sale at "THE Hot Rod Auction" or attending as a buyer, call 815/568-8888 or visit www.mecumauction.com.

    Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum fulfills vision with new Parnelli Jones exhibit

    It's official: the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is now a true motorsports museum.

    While the 5-year-old museum has always displayed cars, artifacts and memorabilia from all forms of motorsports, it was generally thought of as predominately drag racing-themed venue. Not anymore. With the recent gala opening of the new "A Salute to Parnelli Jones" exhibit, the Pomona, Calif., museum has successfully fulfilled its vision to become the mecca of motorsports.

    Full story

    Parnelli Jones and Vel Miletich: Historic partnership spotlighted in new exhibit

    There have been plenty of "dynamic duos" in the annals of sports history. When it comes to motorsports though, the famous partnership of Parnelli Jones and Vel Miletich is at the forefront. The legendary Vel's Parnelli Jones racing team is a prime part of a new exhibit opening on Sat., Apr. 26 at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif.

    Called "A Salute to Parnelli Jones" the exhibit will feature a number of historic vehicles and memorabilia from the Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing collection. The exhibit will run through Aug. 31, 2003. A special public sneak peek is set for Friday, Apr. 25. The museum will have extended hours and stay open until 8 p.m. that day, and all who attend will receive a free, limited-edition Parnelli Jones exhibit poster, according to Sam Jackson, museum executive director.

    "The partnership and bond between Parnelli and Vel was unique," Jackson said. "Together they forged one of the greatest alliances in American racing. This exciting new exhibit will give the public a rare opportunity to see a number of their famous race cars and artifacts from their private collection, as well as show the breadth of Parnelli's incredible career. It'll be a well-deserved tribute as well as a definitive retrospective."

    Miletich and Jones began their friendship in 1956 when Miletich was a Ford dealer and sponsored the Frank Deiny-owned '37 Ford driven by Jones. They became business partners in 1964 by creating Parnelli Jones Enterprises. As chairman of the board, Vel grew the business from a single Firestone Tire store to more than 45 retail locations, three wholesale warehouses and a racing tire distribution network covering several states.

    In 1967, Vel brought Parnelli into his Ford dealership as a partner. The two continued to operate the dealership together until the mid-eighties when Vel decided to semi-retire.

    On the racing front, they were known as the "Super Team." Vel's Parnelli Jones racing team began in 1967 and quickly became one of the most powerful teams in motorsports history. They won back-to-back Indianapolis 500s in 1970-71, five United States Auto Club (USAC) Championships and won a total of 53 Indy car races with 100 top-three finishes. Drivers for the team included Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt Jr., Kevin Cogan, Joe Leonard, Danny Ongais and Al Unser. The team entered 276 USAC National Championship races, qualifying on the pole 47 times. In addition, the team competed in the Formula One World Championship, SCCA Formula 5000 Championship Racing, NHRA drag racing and SCORE Off-road Championship racing.

    Jones' racing career began in the late 1950s running sprints and midgets, but he made his mark at the famed Indianapolis 500. He was Rookie of the Year there in 1961, the first to go around the Brickyard at more than 150 mph, and won the prestigious race as a driver in 1963 in "Old Calhoun."

    "I'm honored and excited about the exhibit, and I'm sure Vel would feel the same," Jones said. (Miletich succumbed to leukemia at the age of 73 in 1998.) "The Parks Museum is a true motorsports museum and the perfect place to house such a display. I think the public will really enjoy it."

    Twilight Cruise Nights return to Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

    Beginning April 2, the first Wednesday of the month – from April through December – the popular Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., transforms into hot rod heaven as more than 300 cool pre-1970 rods, customs, classics and muscle cars fill the parking lot for Twilight Cruise Night.

    "It's one of the great Southern California family treats," said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Park Museum. "It's a fun evening and great way to see our terrific museum and hundreds of the coolest cars around!"

    This is the fourth year for the museum's Twilight Cruise Night program. The event, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is hosted by the Cal Rods car club, attracts nearly 1,000 people and includes raffles, prizes and a huge 50/50 drawing. Admission to the Twilight Cruise is free, and those who attend receive $2 off admission to the Parks Museum. Drivers who display cars receive one complimentary museum pass. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

    The complete Twilight Cruise Night schedule is: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.

    Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum to host Mecum 'Hot Rod Auction'

    The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum will host its first-ever "Hot Rod Auction" on Father's Day weekend (June 13-14) in conjunction with the L.A. Roadsters Show which is being held next door at the Pomona Fairplex.

    Produced by Mecum Car Collector Auctions, based in Marengo, Ill., the Hot Rod Auction will take place at the Fairplex in building 4, directly adjacent to the museum. About 300 hot rods, street rods, customs and classics are expected to go on the block during the 2-day event, according to Dana Mecum, CEO of Mecum Car Collector Auctions. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Parks Museum. Additionally, a special preview party and memorabilia auction (where 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the museum) is slated for Friday night, June 12, inside the Parks Museum.

    "Mecum Auctions are known throughout the car-collector world as being top-notch, well run events," said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Parks Museum. "Mecum is a leader in selling hot rods, customs and muscle cars, so having a Mecum auction here at the museum during the L.A. Roadsters Show is a natural."

    Jackson added that a $12 admission ticket is good for the Mecum Auction, L.A. Roadsters show and Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

    "The Parks Museum is the perfect backdrop for the auction," Mecum said. "The area where we'll hold is one of the best indoor auction facilities I've ever seen. I truly believe the Hot Rod Auction will become an annual event and bring lots more traffic and excitement to the Parks Motorsports Museum and the L.A. Roadsters Show."

    Mecum is guaranteeing it revenue from the auction to help support it. "The Parks Museum is a treasure and I want to help it continue and to grow," said Mecum, a real fan of the museum.

    The L.A. Roadsters, the legendary Los Angeles, Calif.-based, street rod club, has held its enormously popular show for 38 years. Jim Gacchina, the Roadsters' show director, said Roadsters members "emphatically embraced" the idea of working together with the Parks Museum and Mecum on the Hot Rod Auction. "We think it will be an added bonus for our club members and for those who attend our show," Gacchina said. "We are really looking forward to it."

    For information for registering a car for sale at the Hot Rod Auction or attending as a buyer, call 800/468-6999 or visit www.mecumauction.com.

    Located on the grounds of Los Angeles County's Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., the 28,000-sq.-ft. Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, alongside dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

    The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 60 and older, $3 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Parks Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://www.nhra.com/museum.

    'Salute to Parnelli Jones' Exhibit to Open April 27

    The NHRA Motorsports Museum has announced that it will produce a new exhibit saluting the racing career of Rufus "Parnelli" Jones, featuring a number of historic vehicles from the Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing collection. The exhibit will run from Apr. 27 through Aug. 31, 2003. A special gala exhibit preview/Museum fundraiser hosted by Parnelli will take place on Apr. 26 at the Museum, located in Pomona, Calif.,.

    "Parnelli Jones is one of the all-time legends of American racing," said Sam Jackson, museum executive director. "This exciting new exhibit will give the public a rare opportunity to see a number of famous race cars from the Vel's Racing Parnelli Jones collection, and show the breadth of Parnelli's incredible career. It'll be a well-deserved tribute as well as a definitive retrospective."

    Jones' career began in the late 1950s running sprints and midgets, but he made his mark at the famed Indianapolis 500. He was Rookie of the Year there in 1961, the first to go around the Brickyard at more than 150 mph, and won the prestigious race as a driver in 1963 in "Old Calhoun." As a co-owner of the famous Vel's Parnelli Racing Team he captured Indy checkered flags in 1970 and '71 (with Al Unser driving), as well as three consecutive USAC titles (1970-72).

    "I'm honored and excited that Wally Parks (NHRA founder and Museum chairman) and the folks at the Museum are putting together such a special exhibit. I'm sure my late partner Vel Miletich would feel the same. The NHRA Museum is a true motorsports museum and the perfect place to house such a display. I think the public will really enjoy it."

    Greg Sharp, curator of the NHRA Motorsports Museum, said the tentative list of landmark Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing vehicles for the exhibit includes:

  • 1963 "Old Calhoun" Indy winner replica
  • 1969 Big Oly Bronco
  • 1970 Johnny Lighting Indy winner
  • 1968 "infamous" Lotus Granatelli turbine
  • 1964 Lotus Ford Indy car
  • 1969 4-Cam Ford Champ Dirt car
  • 1976 Mustang Funny car

    Other artifacts and personal memorabilia from Parnelli's career will also be on display, including photos, helmets, driving suits, posters, mementos, letters and trophies.

    In addition to his success as an Indy driver, Jones had major victories to his credit in stock cars (he was crowned the USAC Stock Car king in 1964) and sports cars (in 1970 he drove his Ford Mustang to five Trans Am victories and the series championship). In more recent years, he garnered off-road racing victories in the famed Mint and Baja events. Jones also won the Times Grand Prix at Riverside and his stock car laurels include a NASCAR Riverside 500 win.