The 40th Annual March Meet 1999

Famosa Dragstrip, Bakersfield, California

presented by the Goodguys


I really don't quite know what to say. The Goodguys put on an awesome meet...probably the best I've seen since the 60's. The racing was great. Top Fuel had an absolutely storybook ending. The Gassers and Pro Supers kicked butt! About all I can do is offer you some pictures. I hope you enjoy them.


Gassers

Didn't see it run, but this tube axle '55 stopped me dead in my tracks in the pits.

This beautiful '55 was running in A/Gas

Howard Anderson's Chevy

Anderson again

Tim Burns' first run Saturday produced his quickest ever (so far!) run

Tim could kick some serious butt with a sponsor...anyone?

Steve Castelli heats 'em up

...launches

...and slows it down

Bob Clayton hasn't had a ton of success with his 33 Willys, but...

...it is one seriously beautiful hot rod and he will get it dialed in eventually

Different classes, but both pretty awesome cars.

It wasn't really competitive in the class...but I love it!

Goshgarian and Abbey's 57 Chevy gasser

I don't seem to be able to get a decent picture of Bill and Maryann Harmon's gorgeous Willys.

Didn't find out who owns it, but this Henry J was sure a beauty

Does a nice burnout, too.

Mike Leonard's Automart Chevelle

It's a BIG car to go that fast!

Thw WildThing Studie is a pretty cool looking piece.

Feathering (?) it.

Looks like Marc Mahood's Camaro got there before the Renteria Bros. Valiant.

Gary Newton's new Henry J runs an iron FE Ford from his 63 1/2 Galaxie.

But the blown alcohol motor isn't far off. Gary plans to venture into the AA/S pool!

Ron Nunes' Corvette is an awesome piece.

Nunes prepares to do battle with Leonard's Chevelle

Another '57 Chevy was campaigned by Ron (?) Orfia

Jim Pace patiently (?) awaits his turn.

Then does a nice job heating 'em up.

Since Jim won the class, this run with Gosgarian-Abbey was obviously during qualifying.

The Renetria Bros Valiant

Rich Roberts made a couple of us momentarily nervous

Tom Schiffilea's gorgeous 2 door Willys driven by his son, Tommy

I wish I'd held better focus on this shot

I REALLY liked this Willys

Steve Woods' always impressive Prefect

...and again, always impressive!

Steve prepares to run against the TCI Ford

The TCI Ford recently completed a crash diet

No, no crash, just a new carbon fiber nose

The Top Fuelers

Wild Bill Alexander smokes 'em up BIG!

Bill backs up the Mastercam car with help from Walt Stevens

Bill goes up in smoke again

The Birky Bunch smokes 'em in

John Blanchard's stout new piece with Wally Giavia steering

Jim Boyd gets casual after a run in the Red Turkey car

Mike Fuller's Nostalgia fueler

another angle on Fullers car

Bill Genennco didn't seem to have enough "pop" in the tank for top fuel

The Gotelli Speed Shop Fueler

Howard Haight, resplendent in his Nitronics Research sticker, climbs out of the Circuit Breaker fueler

Sammy Hale smokin 'em up prior to a 5.87 sec. pass

Hale launches the Champion Speed Shop small block Chevy

While not the prettiest top fueler, Larry Huff certainly had the most unusual

Huff hangs out the laundry

I did like his rear window, though.

Hans Kuensel in his first outing on Nitro

Claudie Meadors and his family towed all the way from Texas for the March Meet

Jim Murphy in the WW2 car took the Top Fuel honors

The "Nitro Thunder" fuel car

To everyone's surprise, Denver Schutz didn't get past the first round

Originally built and campaigned in 1962, the Sniper was a real beauty

Remind anyone of the old S&H Red Stamp car?

Alicia Stirling warms the tires

...backs up

...and launches

Larry Sutton just lit the green