You have had to be living under a rock, or in your mom's basement without electricity, to not know Steve Gibb's has severed all ties with the NHRA, Reunion's and The Museum.  There's not an aspect of our world he's not had a hand on, making it better. Sometimes, you can bet it's a thankless job,yet he comes back for more and we were all the better for it. I had heard rumors about something stirring in Barona, as an alternative to the Reunion. I posted a question about it and to my surprise I get a message from Steve to give him a call when I can. So... I did.

Though he has been "retired' some time now, he has been a volunteer and acted as a consultant. When the time came to re-up, he decided it was time to move on. There's been no shortage of horror stories about the state of the Reunions in recent years and this past years event had an overabundance. No need to rehash these, it's old news.  Steve has moved on in a big way.  Saturday, September 30, 2017  will usher in a new era. The Nitro Revival will take place at Barona Dragstrip in Lakeview, California.  For one day, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m, it makes for less days of hotels, restaurant food and focuses on what matters, friends the stars of the era and burning nitro. Make no mistake, the NHRA and The Museum has no ties to this event, it's a Steve Gibbs production.  As the advertisements say, it is a "Revival and reunion of, by and for Racers".  Cacklecar displays, static fire ups, burnouts, and push starts all day long. Restorations, recreations and tributes are welcome. In Steve's own words when we talked about this, "If you have one...BRING IT!

At the time of this writing, these are the committed entries:

Custom Body Enterprises AA/FC  -  Ross Howard
Newhouse Special AFMR  -  Joel Gruzen
Schultz & Glenn AA/FD  -  Troy Glenn
Tommy Ivo Barnstormer AA/FD  -  Ron Johnson
 Chris Karamesines Chizler AA/FD  -  Ron Johnson
Shubert & Herbert AA/FD  -  Ron Johnson
Smirnoff Spec. AA/FD  -  Joe Passalaqua
Speed Sport Special AAFMR  -  Red Greth
Ed Pink Old Master AA/FD  -  Pete Eastwood
 Robert Contorelli AA/FD  -  Robert Contorelli
Gentleman Joe Schubeck AA/FD  -  Joe Schubeck
Soapy Sales Watchdog AA/FD  -  Tommy Allen
Don Garlits Swamp Rat III AA/FD  -  Sonny Messner
Tocco, Harper & Garten AA/FA  -  Mike Tocco
Sidewinder A/D  -  Jack Gillett
Cook & Bedwell A/FD  -  Ray Lake
Hustler V AA/FD  -  Don Prieto
TV Tommy Ivo Buick A/D  -  Don Prieto
Steinegger & Eshenbaugh AA/FD  -  Al Eshenbaugh
TV Tommy Ivo Buick A/D  -  Don Prieto
Kansas John Wiebe AA/FD  -  Wayne Patrick
Ewell, Bell, Stecker & Olson AA/FD  -  John Kiley
Skinner, Crosser & Jobe AA/FD  -  Bob Higginson
Yeakel Plymouth Special  AA/FD  -  Baney, Rossi & Goebel
Ash Marshall Scorcher  AA/FD  -  Dennis Young
Southwind  AA/FD  -  Jay Carpenter
Masters & Richter AA/FD  -  Roger Lee
 

In addition to:

Personalities

Ed "Ace" McCulloch
TV Tommy Ivo
Mike Kuhl & Carl Olson
Red Greth
Herm Petersen
Roland Leong
Marvin Graham
Bruce Crower
Dode Martin
Mike Clancy

Special Guests

Geno & Harley - Pit Control Coordinator
Cloy Fitzgerald - Tech Coordinator

AND

Exhibition Runs

High Heaven **  AA/FA Hughie Callen ** Can make 330 ft exhibition runs


Static Display

Dyno Don Ugly Duckling  - Thomas Tuso
Ingenue  -  John Lipori    
Hemi-Under-Glass  -  Mike Mantel

Keep in mind this is written at the end of April, and there is more to come!  Something else to consider is the day before the event, is Escondido Nitro Night. I know a number of people who have said they are going to try to make the show. I plan on having the Hippo there wearing it's new clothes.  Should be a great time, though missing the Reunion is a possibility. That was the place to catch up with friends from around the country and world for that matter.
The close proximity of the two events, will pose a hard decision for those who can't swing both.

It's being offered as an option,theycan also supply secure storage for your rig if you want to go home and pick it up for the CHRR. Check out their website at   www.nitrorevival.com   for all the updates and information pertaining to this event, merchandise, sponsorship and other cacklecar events. The growth, preservation of our history and future of our hobby depends on participation of as many of us that can .  Good Luck to Steve Gibbs on his new endeavors. I look forward to seeing many of you there as well.  Especially with the influx of new vintage dragsters, restorations and tributes.

We're taking a hiatus with the Hippo as it prepares to get a new body at Corey Conyer's Crown Custom in Wichita. I'm gonna split now and go spend some time corrupting my new (FIRST!)  grandson.

Be young, have fun, burn nitro!

NOSTALGIA DRAG WORLD - By Eddie Buck