View Full Version : I love the smell of nitro in the morning.
One of my passions in life is drag racing. There are few things in this world that compare to a top fuel dragster blasting down the track.
Today I had the opportunity to share one of my passions with my son. The only thing better than enjoying something your passionate about is enjoying it with your child. The best part was he loved every minute of it and didn't ask to go home once despite the insane heat.
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OtterbatHellcat
07-21-2013, 17:11
Awesome!!!
I also hope you had some ear protection for him... :)
Awesome!!!
I also hope you had some ear protection for him... :)
Oh yeah. He has ear muffs that he wears when shooting, watching monster trucks and drag races.
We're planning a NASCAR trip in the bear future.
spittoon
07-21-2013, 18:31
That is fun feeling the earth shake-n
I just wish the big event at Bandimere was in the fall or something. Every time I go the heat is just brutal and shade is scarce. Would be much more enjoyable in late September.
Kraven251
07-21-2013, 18:44
I was there yesterday. First time I have been to anything live, it was awesome. Now what I loved even more, no muss, no fuss, walked right through the gate with my CC and no hassles.
I saw Dog the bounty hunter there once years ago. He was obviously looking for someone. Saw him, that kid with the long hair and an older looking guy. They were spread out and talking to each other on walkie talkies.
hghclsswhitetrsh
07-21-2013, 19:09
I was there today. Sooooo hot.
coldaudio
07-21-2013, 20:34
I was also there today, there were some great races! Can't wait for next year. I saw a few guys were on the top row of the East side with umbrellas... I may need to steal that idea!
I crewed for a Comp Eliminator team a few years ago so I got a starting line wrist band. I snuck down for the fuel cars for a little bit. I was hanging out with Brandon Bernstein, JR Todd, and Ashley and John Force. Its a whole different world at the starting line than in the stands, that was fun. I still want a Pro Mod more than a fuel car though.
rockhound
07-21-2013, 20:44
We hit bandimere for fathers day, love it
Back in 07 I got a photo pass for the Winternationals in Pomona CA, had 4 days of access to everything. Got to stand "on" the wall with the pro photographers. Got through the "slower" classes and Prostock cars and bikes no problem. Ear muffs and ear plugs worked well. Ashley Force was the first TopFuel car on my side. I was not ready for it. She ripped past me, the pressure and noise was unbelievable. The fuel burned my eyes. The exhaust shook me so much my vision went blurry and I almost pissed myself as she passsed. I had to step back and collect myself for a bit.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd86/crrider23/NHRA%2007/Art.jpg (http://s224.photobucket.com/user/crrider23/media/NHRA%2007/Art.jpg.html)
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd86/crrider23/NHRA%2007/DSC_2375.jpg (http://s224.photobucket.com/user/crrider23/media/NHRA%2007/DSC_2375.jpg.html)
MileHighOutlaw
07-21-2013, 22:37
My stepfather introduced me to drag racing when I was 14. By the age of 16 I was driving a 72 Datsun pick up with a 454 jammed into the engine bay. Super street was the class to be in back then. My dad knew a bunch of people from around the track since he has been in the racing circut for some time. I was very fortunate to be on the starting line several times for the top fuel cars running. I swear to god the first time I was between two of those cars I thought I wet myself. I was grinning from ear to ear for what seemed like a lifetime.
Years ago I was able to repay the joy and I took my wife and son to their first National event. I knew I couldn't get on the starting line but I got us seats as close as possible. The look on their faces was priceless. I could only imagine that is what my face looked like many years before.
Im so happy that your son and you got to have a great afternoon smelling the nitro and shaking of the earth.
I went once and it was awesome. Want to go again.
Ashley force....yum!
Back in 07 I got a photo pass for the Winternationals in Pomona CA, had 4 days of access to everything. Got to stand "on" the wall with the pro photographers. Got through the "slower" classes and Prostock cars and bikes no problem. Ear muffs and ear plugs worked well. Ashley Force was the first TopFuel car on my side. I was not ready for it. She ripped past me, the pressure and noise was unbelievable. The fuel burned my eyes. The exhaust shook me so much my vision went blurry and I almost pissed myself as she passsed. I had to step back and collect myself for a bit.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd86/crrider23/NHRA%2007/Art.jpg (http://s224.photobucket.com/user/crrider23/media/NHRA%2007/Art.jpg.html)
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd86/crrider23/NHRA%2007/DSC_2375.jpg (http://s224.photobucket.com/user/crrider23/media/NHRA%2007/DSC_2375.jpg.html)
Pomona is where I got my first taste of top fuel drag racing. My first job was working for the primary concessionaire of the Fairplex. My job was to go around and keep the concession tables stocked and clean. It would only take me a matter of minutes to make my rounds and then I would have quite a bit of free time to wander.
In 1996 (When I got into the sport) the culture around drag racing was a bit different. Winston was the sponsor and was really pushing hard for their No Bull campaign on their cigarettes. Winston had numerous products reps at the races that would you give you 4 packs of Winston Cigarettes and some type of promotional item in exchange for a pack of any non RJ Reynolds cigarette. After learning of this promotional offer I would round up as many empty packs of Marlboro's as I could and put 1 Marlboro in each pack. At the end of a drag race weekend I'd usually have 40+ packs of smokes.
As an employee of the concessionaire I would get free food anytime I wanted. I started using the free food to barter with vendors and security guards. My bartering skills got me down on the track more than a few times and as mentioned there is nothing like standing on the starting line when the top fuelers take off. When your eyes are watering/burning uncontrollably, the back of your throat is on fire and your nose is running you know you've got the best race view in the house. :)
I really miss those days. After I moved to Colorado in 1998 I would fly to Pomona for the Winternationals and the NHRA finals almost every year. The weather in So. Cal in February and November definitely beats the weather in Denver in August. If I haven't relocated by February of 14 I will likely take my son to the Winternationals since I now know he can hang for an entire day of racing.
I've given up my tickets every year for the past 5-6yrs. Can't stand the crowds and the heat anymore. I'm around this stuff everyday so it's not a big deal to me. I'm just glad those whom I've given tickets to enjoy it. At least my boss came in 2nd in Pro Stock, again.
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