Photos by Deanna Scanlon
As a parent of two young boys, ages 10 and 7, I have worked hard to preserve the fantasy of jolly Saint Nick. I’ve done everything from getting the “list” to staying up late on Christmas Eve attempting to assemble that Big Wheel from a set of instructions that could drive the best of us to drink. But we as a family are on the brink of needing to shift gears, so speak. It is time to focus more on the spirit of Christmas and help our kids to understand that while Saint Nick may not be a real person, his representation of giving and caring for one another lives in our hearts. This spirit of giving is something that John Force and family clearly understands.
Force, the newly crowned 15-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion hosted his 13th Annual Holiday Car Show at the John Force racing headquarters located in Yorba Linda, California, on Dec. 4, 2010.
As usual, the show benefited the California Highway Patrol’s CHiP’s For Kids toy drive, and as usual, the admission was a 10-dollar unwrapped toy. An estimated 6,000 toys were collected and thankfully preserved from the light rain that oddly seemed to be heralded by the requested song “Riders on the Storm,” played mid-afternoon. The generous toy donations are distributed to CHP divisions in Orange, Riverside and LA counties. Many of them will be given to needy children, while some of the toys will find their way into the hands of hospitalized kids.
Every year the pile of gifts for the CHiP’s For Kids program gets larger! This year, more than 6,000 toys were donated.
This year’s theme was flamed cars, but the event was open to all street rods, trucks, muscle cars, classics, sports cars and exotics. The show also featured cars from celebrities Jay Leno and Kenny Wayne Sheppard. From cars to food there was something for everyone. Many had the pleasure of touring the John Force race shop and museum or could join in the fun of getting autographs from John Force, Robert Hight, Ashley Force Hood, Brittany and Courtney Force, Jack Beckman, Tom McEwen, Genevieve Chappell, George Barris and Chip Foose. Of course, there was great live music to add to the already festive air provided by Lil’ Mo and the Dynoflos, the Hot Rod Trio and the Ron Rogers Band. If all that was not enough for you, the ever-present California hamburger tradition In-N-Out was at the show to satisfy your taste buds. After all, how can you look at a classic car and not have that Pavlovian need for In-N-Out?
Frank Clements braved the possible rain with his ‘32 Ford roadster. It’s a long way to and from Redlands, especially in a topless (and fenderless) highboy.
All in all, it was a fun and productive toy drive attended by a huge crowd of spectators and show participants. Many thanks to the Force family for continuing their hot holiday tradition, and we all look forward to next year’s show.
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- Every year the pile of gifts for the CHiP’s For Kids program gets larger! This year, more than 6,000 toys were donated.
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- Frank Clements braved the possible rain with his ‘32 Ford roadster. It’s a long way to and from Redlands, especially in a topless (and fenderless) highboy.
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- At the very beginning of the long, long line of cars was this sweet Corvette. It served as the perfect jumping off point for the show.
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- One of the nicest cars there was Mike Rulifson’s street rod. Sporting a Coast To Coast body, C5 suspension, an LS1 engine, custom PPG Gold paint and Boyd Coddington wheels, this car was hard to miss.
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- Even though this corner was the perfect spot from which to see in every direction, it still wasn’t high enough to see all the way to the end of the lines of vehicles. As usual, the turnout for the John Force Holiday Show was huge.
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- Our old buddy George Anderson made the trek down from Bako with his killer Rambler. This was the cover car from the Drive! September 2009 issue.
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- Many fine muscle cars were at the show, such as Larry Kirby’s ultra-clean ‘64 Chevy Malibu SS.
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- The longest lines are always for the autograph session. A host of luminaries such as the Force clan, Chip Foose, Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen and others gave fans the thrill of having items signed by their heroes.
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- Another Drive! cover car was also on hand, this one the sleek Studebaker from the December 2010 issue.
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- Force was awarded an official CHP helmet in recognition of his efforts to bring a happy holiday to kids.
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- Radical from engine to paint, Rudy Hindelang made the trek out from Dayton, NV, with his awesome ‘57 Chevy pickup.
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- How cool is this thing? Pete Valia of Riverside, CA, had his ‘50 Airfloat travel trailer on hand.
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- We’ve never been sure about the CHP’s “Chipper” character, but he does seem to do well with the ladies.
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- What do you do with a smashed-up Tri-5 Chevy? Turn it into a gigantic wagon. And yes, it actually runs and drives.
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- Tom Haug of Corona, CA, mugs for the camera with his flamed ‘41 Willys coupe.
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- Another legend seen at the show was the “King of Kustomizers” George Barris. Barris was there to cherry pick cars for his upcoming show. Was yours chosen?
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- As with past shows, In-N-Out Burger provided a great lunch for all.
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- Nearly everyone took the opportunity to tour the race shop, where bodies, parts and complete races cars sit in their assigned spots.
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- Even with the potentially inclement weather, there were plenty of cool motorcycles on hand.
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- Even though it may belong in a museum, we’re glad that Ashton Stander of Irvine, CA, takes his ‘66 GT40 out and actually drives it.
Tags: California, John Force, Yorba Linda
