March Meet Full with
500 Racers
More
than 40 racers on waiting list to compete at the
event that put Bakersfield motorsports on the map
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 20,
2008) – Five-hundred drivers are signed up to race at the
famed March Meet, Mar. 7-9 at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway in
Bakersfield, California, filling all available race slots. More
than 40 drivers remain on the waiting list in hopes of a last-minute
opening and a chance to compete in the 50 year celebration and
first NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series event.
“The response from racers
and race fans has been astounding,” said Blake Bowser, vice
president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association,
operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet.
“Everybody wants to be a part of the March Meet because
it always delivers excitement and great memories – this
year we’ll celebrate 50 years of them.”
Three days of drag racing action
will include 30 nostalgic funny cars and 25 nostalgic top fuel
cars, which travel a quarter-mile in less time than it takes
to read this sentence. Fans, vendors, car show and swap meet
entrants can purchase event tickets online at Famoso Raceway or at the track beginning
March 3.
“We’re expecting a
massive turnout from national and international race-fans, as
well as the loyal Bakersfield community,” said Blake. “Fortunately,
the Auto Club Famoso Raceway can accommodate even the biggest
crowds.”
Now celebrating 50 years of racing,
the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call
‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers
and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot
rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super
3-Day Passes are now on sale at Famoso Raceway for $75. Individual day tickets
for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available
at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for
Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.
Auto Club members also receive
a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards
when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children
ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied
by an adult with paid admission.
The Grand Marshals this year
are drag racing legends Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and
Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen.
The 2008 March Meet is also the
inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s
new 7-race nostalgia racing series.The Kern County Racing Association
(KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north
of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races
year round, including the world famous March Meet, Mar. 7-9,
2008. For more details, visit Famoso Raceway
It’s
Golden: The March Meet Turns 50!
Legendary race at Auto Club Famoso
Raceway, Mar. 7-9, is the source of civic pride and history
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 15,
2008) – Happy birthday, March Meet.
Bakersfield born and bred in
1959, the drag race that helped put the city on the map is turning
50 during its 3-day run, Mar. 7-9 at historic Auto Club Famoso
Raceway.
“We’re celebrating
50 years of racing here,” said Blake Bowser, vice president
and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators
of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the fabled March Meet. “It’s
a historic occasion that all of Bakersfield, Kern County and
drag racing can be proud of.”
Half a century ago, Bakersfield
was a sleepy oil town best known as the last stop before climbing
the “Grapevine” road to Los Angeles. Things changed
rapidly when local country singer Buck Owens rose to fame in
the late 1950s. At the same time, drag racers from around the
country began pouring into Famoso for quarter-mile runs.
The March Meet, originally called
the U.S. Fuel and Gas Championships, was spearheaded by the Smokers,
a local race club. The Smokers, who began racing at Famoso in
1951, became skeptical of reported times and speeds set in the
east by “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. So they invited him
to Bakersfield to compete. In March 1959 he did just that. The
result was the March Meet, often called the “Woodstock of
drag racing.” Although Garlits lost in the first round and
Art Chrisman became Top Eliminator, Garlits went on to become
the most celebrated drag racer in history and #1 on the NHRA’s
Top 50 list. Garlits’ appearance at Famoso spread the fame
of the track, March Meet and Bakersfield far and wide.
The March Meet and Famoso have
changed hands over the years. Currently, both are run by locals
Blake and his dad, John Boswer, who worked at the track in late
‘50s. “Everything changed in 1959 after the first March
Meet,” said John Bowser. “The whole image of drag racing
changed. There were so many people at Famoso for it. There were
people and cars for days. The whole town was excited. People
were hanging out at hamburger stands – it was like American
Graffiti – one giant car show. Everyone drove up and down
Chester Ave.”
Added Blake Bowser, who grew
up with the March Meet: “Every year, everyone knew the March
Meet was coming to town,” he said. We’d cut school
to go to it. It was a Senior Ditch Day.”
The March Meet and Famoso Raceway
created an entire generation of both racers and racing fans and
marked Bakersfield as a Mecca for the sport. The Mears family
began to race at Famoso, as did the Pedregons and Tom “The
Mongoose” McEwen (who, along with Don “The Snake”
Prudhomme is a Grand Marshal of this year’s event) and many,
many others. NASCAR’s Kevin Harvick launched his racing
career in Bakersfield.
In its hay day, the March Meet
was the race on the NHRA schedule, where legendary racers such
as Prudhomme, “TV Tommy” Ivo, Shirley Muldowney and
Connie Kalitta clashed. Many of today’s stars like John
Force and Ron Capps competed in the March Meet.
Today the March Meet is racing’s
top nostalgia event, and is the first stop on the NHRA’s
new 7-race Hot Rod Heritage Series. It’s still, in Blake
Bowser’s words, “…the largest single event in
Bakersfield. It helped put Bakersfield on the map. Bakersfield
is Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and the March Meet.”
Happy 50th, March Meet, and here’s
to many, many more.
Now celebrating 50 years of racing,
the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call
‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers
and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot
rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super
3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com for $75.
Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but
will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for
Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.
Auto Club members also receive
a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards
when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children
ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied
by an adult with paid admission.
The Grand Marshals this year
are drag racing legends Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and
Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen.
The 2008 March Meet is also the
inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s
new 7-race nostalgia racing series.
The Kern County Racing Association
(KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north
of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races
year round, including the world famous March Meet, Mar. 7-9,
2008. For more details, visit www.famosoraceway.com.
Don “The Snake” Prudhomme
and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen Named Grand Marshals
of Legendary March Meet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Groak, PCGCampbell,
310/224-4940 (bgroak@pcgcampbell.com)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Jan. 31,
2008) – Two of drag racing’s greatest rivals, partners
and friends – Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom
“the Mongoose” McEwen – have been named Grand
Marshals for the upcoming March Meet (Mar. 7-9) at Auto Club
Famoso Raceway, outside of Bakersfield, Calif.
It’s no surprise that the
March Meet, nostalgia drag racing’s premier event –
and celebrating its 50th year of racing – is honoring Prudhomme
and McEwen. “Both are former March Meet winners and part
our rich racing lore and drag racing history,” said Blake
Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County
Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers
of the March Meet. “It’s an unbelievable honor to have
them here as Grand Marshals. What a treat for the fans.”
“The March Meet really means
a lot to me,” said Prudhomme, who was named the No. 3 driver
on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list. “The 1962 Smokers
March Meet was my first race driving a fuel car for Kent Fuller
and Dave Zueschel. It was THE race to win back then and I still
have my March Meet trophy, which is one of my most prized possessions.
Winning that race really kick-started my driving career, so to
go from an unknown racer back then to being named a Grand Marshal
this year along with Tom McEwen is something that I never thought
would happen. But then again, Grand Marshals are usually old,
so I guess it makes sense!”
McEwen, listed at No. 16 on the
NHRA’s driver’s list, added, “This is a big thrill
for me. I grew up on the March Meet. It’s always been a
big race and I can remember winning it back in ’72. I’m
really looking forward to being there with Prudhomme. It’ll
be a lot of fun.”
Now celebrating 50 years of racing,
the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call
‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers
and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot
rod car show, swap meet and vendors’ midway. Tickets: Super
3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com
for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale
Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices
are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun.,
Mar. 9.
Auto Club members also receive
a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards
when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children
ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied
by an adult with paid admission.
The 2008 March Meet is also the
inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s
new 7-race nostalgia racing series.
The Kern County Racing Association
(KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north
of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races
year round, including the world famous March Meet. Now celebrating
50 years of racing, the March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008, is the recognized
Mecca of nostalgia drag racing. For more details, visit www.famosoraceway.com.
Online Tickets Available for
Legendary March Meet
Race
entry, car show registration and camping forms also on Web
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Groak, PCGCampbell,
310/224-4940 (bgroak@pcgcampbell.com)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Jan. 28,
2008) – Tickets to nostalgia drag racing’s premier
event, the 2008 March Meet, Mar. 7-9 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway,
are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com.
According to Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager
of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club
Famoso and producers of the fabled March Meet, race fans can
purchase a Super 3-Day Pass for $75 online now and pick them
up at the track beginning Mon., Mar. 3. Bowser said there are
no service charges for tickets purchased online.
Individual day tickets for the
event will go on sale Mar.3, but will be available only at the
track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat.,
Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.
Auto Club members also receive
a $2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards
when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children
ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied
by an adult with paid admission.
Also available online are
downloadable forms for race entries, car show registration and
camping, but according to Bowser, space is limited and starting
to “fill up.” Only 500 entries will be accepted and
the number is over 400 already.
Now celebrating 50 years of racing,
the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call
‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers
and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot
rod car show, swap meet and a vendors’ midway.
The 2008 March Meet is also the
inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s
new 7-race nostalgia racing series.
The Kern County Racing Association
(KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north
of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races
year round, including the world famous March Meet. Now celebrating
50 years of racing, the March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008, is the recognized
Mecca of nostalgia drag racing. For more details, visit www.famosoraceway.com.
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