Drive Staff June 14, 2023 All Feature Vehicles
Again, rain/hail was the headliner of the 59th Annual Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet, a huge 4-day action packed event at the Auto Club Raceway at Famoso, near Bakersfield, CA. filled with nitro burning funny cars, dragsters, hot rods, jet cars and wheel standing exhibition cars. Rain and hail began Saturday night and delayed the start of Sunday racing till noon.
This was the first race of the exciting Hot Rod Heritage Series and the Famoso crew worked their tail off to keep the track running, but the racing had to be finished on Monday.
But there is more to the March Meet than drag racing. From a car show, to clothing, automotive swap meet treasures to manufacturers midway, there is something for everyone at the March Meet. Vendors from far and wide lined vendor row offering products ranging from crate motors, t-shirts, wheels, tools, chassis as well as a wide range of products geared towards female shoppers. No matter how many times you walk up and down vendor row, you’re sure to discover something new.
This was the first race of the exciting Hot Rod Heritage Series…
Once you are at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway you won’t have to wander outside the gates to have a euphoric experience. Past parties thrown in the Pits and in the campgrounds have been of epic proportions. Fire up a Top Fuel car at 2am? Sure, no noise ordinance or curfew here.
Bands performing with giant amps and light show? Been there. Done that. You never know what is going to be happening during the evening. Definitely something you want to put on your itinerary if you’re looking for the whole “March Meet” experience.
In the “Grove”, behind the grandstands, the beautiful Show and Shine cars stretched the length of the track. The “Rat/Vintage Rodders” occupied their usual spot at the end of the grandstands.
The weather struggled a bit for the Hot Rod Heritage Series season opener, where 500+ racers, competed in 15 classes. The show also included two awesome Jet Cars!
Fans were able to mingled with the racers and hot rods all while enjoying food and drinks. Drag racing celebrity’s on-hand included, Ron Capps, Leon Fitzgerald, Del and Dad Worsham, Tom “Mongoose” McEwen, Roland Leong, Gary Densham, Steve and Gloria Gibbs, Dave Wallace Jr., and many others.
…there is something for everyone at the March Meet
Nostalgia Eliminator 2 (No picture) – Winner – Todd Fernandez of Tulare, CA. ran a 8.588et and 153.72
Hot Rod Eliminator (No picture) – Winner – Justin Crosby of Lancaster, CA. in his ’46 Plymouth ran a 10.742et. and 124.35mph.
Thanks for the Show!
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the June 2017 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
Please wait...