THE PERFECT STORM

© 2016 
Bill 'Badco' Ott 

 Saturday October 22, 2016 

AUTO CLUB FAMOSO RACEWAY Bakersfield, California 

6 PM 

Returning to the 1000 foot area (actually 1012 feet!) I saw most of our select group were still under the pop up 'Show Car' Joe Delmos and family had so graciously set up at the top of the stands. Now 1012 feet may not sound like the best spot to be situated during 'Cacklefest' but we were already dug in there and decided to stay put. Under that canopy, a loosely based band of folks came and went at their will. This group included at no particular time the already mentioned Joe Delmos, his wife Cathy, Deno, Bud DeBoer, 'Mad Max' Romero, Paul Hutchins, Warren Walther, Stan Weber, David Pace, and a few others that slip my mind at the moment. Sandwiches and drinks were supplied by the Delmos'. A more hospitable bunch would be hard to find anywhere except at these reunions where everyone you bump onto is either an old or brand new friend.

The parade of this year's 'Cacklefest' participants started, as usual, with the dragsters being pushed from the starting line area to the end of the track on the return road in front of the pit side stands. Announcer Bob Frye did a great job of introducing each participating car as it slowly moved in front of the three to four deep wall of people along the chain link fence that separated them from the cars.

First thing I noticed that was different from the last time I was here (exactly ten years ago) was that only forty cars were 'Cackling' this year. I understand fifty eight cars participated last year and I believe my last Cacklefest featured somewhere near eighty. Originally the NHRA Museum announced only twenty five cars would 'cackle'. This drew cries of outrage from some and just plain old fashioned head shaking from others. Everyone has over the years, come to expect a larger show. Eventually a compromise was reached with the Museum staff and it was decided that forty cars would participate. Bear in mind this is the twenty fifth annual California Hot Rod Reunion and maybe that's where the initial number of twenty five entries came from? Makes sense, in a disappointing sort of way. 

Which brings us to how did they select those forty cars from the numerous entries? History, my friend... History is what sums it all up. Cars were selected because of their historical significance first. Followed by... was the car based on part of the original chassis, parts, etc.? There were cars in the pits that had no historic lineage at all, just 'tribute' cacklers built just for the sake of the pride their owners have in them. Most of them run six figures to construct expense wise. Pride or ego aside, that's at the very least a sizable investment incurred to expect to participate in this event only to be told “Sorry, you didn't make the cut this year”... or something to that effect. Personally, I don't see where the lineage matters at all, as those historic cars are of course going to be out on the track anyway. And deservedly so. But as long as it's a front engined NITRO burning rail throwing header flames in the darkness who cares about it's history, or lack thereof? Those involved will get all the appreciation they can stand after the last cackle car falls silent and the crowd explodes in cheers and applause. And that's always spectacular too. This is all most participants expect anyway... cheers . And possibly only once a year at this event. 

The next thing that seemed different occurred when most (if not all) of the orange vested starting line photographers slowly made their way in the darkness to the finish line! Didn't expect to see them up here. Turned out they all knew something none of us did.

Finally, the sound of a Cackler coming to life could be heard in the distance. All of us focused our attention on the return road where all the Cacklers just paraded by. But it seems the photographers all turned their backs and pointed their cameras towards the finish line area ON track. The first of the Cacklers came into sight with that familiar gleaming twinkle of chromed spoke wheels flashing in the dark with a fire breathing engine directly behind it... and the sound... don't forget the sound. But once again, something wasn't quite the same as it had been in the past. That first Cackler was traveling down the spectator lane (racers left) of the track. According to my notes, such as they are, it was Pete Eastwood in Ed Pnik's 'Old Master'... later to be known as Bruce Wheeler's 'Wheeler Dealer'. I noticed Greg Sharp, near the finish line, facing the approaching dragster flashlight in hand motioning the car to turn to it's left. It did and came to an angular stop near the edge of the track's right lane almost pointed straight at us at our 1000' encampment in the stands. In what seemed an agonizingly long time came the second Cackler arrived and took it's position next to it's Cackle cousin. This process was repeated by a few more cars. Again seemingly taking a long time between arrivals at their assigned spots. By the time the seventh cackler... Roger Lee's immaculate M & R dragster... took up it's position, the 'Old Master' had shut off already.

Now according to my calculations, in order for forty cars to span from the finish line to the starting line there would need to be a thirty three foot gap between each of them. Already this early in the game it appeared the Cacklers were already bunching up. Add in the fact that more than a few of them were already shutting down in what just the start of the show and this had all the earmarks of what could only be described as “The start of a long night.” TV Tom Ivo in Ron Johnson's 'Barnstormer' was to be eighth from the last Cackler. Ron and company were hoping TV with his experience in these matters would would serve as an example to those after him to see the correct spacing and angle was maintained. But somehow TV got all discombobulated himself and wasn't that good an example after all. Also one of the Cacklers suffered a driveline issue of some sort and rolled to a stop well before it's assigned spot and wound up being pushed by hand into a bad spot at a bad angle while backing up some of those behind it. But those behind it did follow their bad example though and didn't maintain the proper spacing or parking angle. 

When the last Cackler rolled down the track... Don Prudhomme in Shelby's 'Super Snake'... the whole thing seemed quite chaotic from my vantage point. The folks near the starting line, who usually get the most out of this great show were short changed. But, when 'The Snake' and the last of the Cacklers shut down the crowd exploded once again in applause and cheering. Gotta admit it... warts and all... the 2016 Cacklefest was once again a huge success among the loyalists and true believers.

 Which brings us to what happened to the show we've came to love? Insurance underwriters and the NHRA demanding the entire thing be overhauled and performed in a manner THEY deemed safe late in August. They refused to allow the Cacklers to be push started and idle down the return road towards the starting line with their engines running with only a chain link fence separating these 'dangerous' vehicles from the fans. This put Greg Sharp and the staff at The Museum in an uncomfortable and unenviable 'hurry up' mode trying to conform to The High Sheriffs wishes and demands. So the only feasible thing left to do was to basically run this year's Cacklefest backwards literally from start to finish. to keep the spectators safe. After what... a sixteen year or so unblemished safety record? 

And after all of this... comes The Biggie. 

The absence of 'Maestro' Steve Gibbs participation, his experience, or his ability to manage and compromise. THAT left a big empty spot and question mark on this whole deal. To the best of my recollection, Steve has ramrodded every one of these Cacklefests except one... due to health reasons. And that sixteen year safety record? Again, all but one with Steve at the helm. Contrary to rumors Steve did not quit or wasn't fired from his position as adviser for the NHRA Museum & NHRA. He saw this “Perfect Storm” coming, realized he could do nothing to change it so decided to sit this one out in any capacity other than attendee. He was also a CHRR Honoree in 1996 as well as The Grand Marshall in 2011 and a special 'reunion' of all past honorees was held this year and he didn't want to miss out on that either. He told me he's still a fan of all this stuff, his heart is still in the CHRR and The Museum, and he'll do what he can to right things in the future. 

Which brings us to those who didn't have the luxury of sitting this one out. Those who attempted to organize and right this ship in spite of the fact it was already taking on copious amounts of water... Greg Sharp, Larry Fisher, Don Irvin and Ron Johnson. Again, this whole affair was dropped in everyone's lap on short notice and the folks 'upstairs' were uncompromising with their demands... bureaucrats and insurance underwriters are notorious for that.

Then on the night of the Cacklefest the chaos that erupted following some drivers turning and stopping without following Greg's attempts at directing traffic in the dark. It didn't seem to take long for things to get out of control. I've been told there's a huge stack of Armco just sitting at the end of the track. Armco that could be used to separate the cacklers from the spectators along the return road. Sounds feasible to me... but I'm not a bureaucrat.

Again... spectators seemed satisfied with what they witnessed as were most of the participants. As usual the Reunion was NITRO on steroids and enjoyable as always even with some changes that were instituted separate from the Cacklefest. More on that later.

As I was walking out Gate 1 on my way back to The Cruiser I happened upon Jon Lundburg and Bud DeBoer, two seasoned veterans of these events. They asked what I thought about what just occurred and I just shook my head and didn't say anything at all. Neither did they. But dammit... I DID have a great time and plan to be here next year. Hope you do to.

More Old B.S. Later
BADCO Forward advice, rebuttals, and death threats to 
bb6927@gmail.com 

As usual a word of thanks to those who without their help and encouragement this thing would have never sailed. In no particular order... The Boopster, Fred The Wonder Puppy, Ron Johnson, Steve Gibbs, Roger Lee, Paul 'Scoop' Hutchins, the Delmos family, and Tequila Sauza Hornitas (Anejo), remember, if it doesn't say 100% Agave, it ain't tequila. 

THANKS BUD