These pages cover "special events" that occur to or for people or peoples, groups or groupies directly or remotely connected with the sport of drag racing. These "events" will be posted here when they happen or as we get them. Or better yet, if we get them. Enjoy.     On Saturday, April 17, 2004, the staff of the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum put together one of the most interesting and historical group of men ever. The operators of the major So. Cal drag strips. This panel consisted of Blackie Gejeian, Fresno: Steve Gibbs, Irwindale; Chuck Griffith, Pomona; C.J. "Pappy" Hart, Santa Ana and Lions; Harry Hibler, San Fernando; Mike Jones, OCIR; Don Rackemann, Saugus, Fontana & Riverside; and Louie Senter, Saugus. Moderator of the event was Dave "Big Mac" McCelland who also operated the Dallas Int'l Motor Speedway....yep, you get it...one of the most notorious group of characters ever assembled! The stories told this day were colorful, funny and interesting. There was a guy taping the event so if the museum ever sells copies, get one! The chances of ever getting this group together again with this format will probably never happen. The four years I got to work for Pappy at Lions as track photog were four of my best years ever and to still have him around 33 years later is such a thrill for me. It was a wonderful event and I want to thank Sam Jackson, Greg Sharp, Steve Gibbs and the reat of the museum staff for putting this event together. John Ewald     The program is a collectors item itself, and made for a good autograph piece.   Inside Front Cover     A big crowd of racers and fans were on hand to witness this get together.       This panel consisted of Blackie Gejeian, Fresno: Steve Gibbs, Irwindale; Chuck Griffith, Pomona; C.J. "Pappy" Hart, Santa Ana and Lions; Harry Hibler, San Fernando; Mike Jones, OCIR; Don Rackemann, Saugus, Fontana & Riverside; and Louie Senter, Saugus. Moderator of the event was Dave "Big Mac" McCelland who also operated the Dallas Int'l Motor Speedway. Note: On 06-27-04 CJ Hart passed away: Funeral and Media       Steve Gibbs helps Blackie show the famous shot of four top fuelers racing side by side...a promo idea Blackie put together. The winner of this foursome was James Warren who was on hand at this event.     Mike Jones and Don Rackemann...talk about contrast in personalities!     Judy Thompson, wife of Mickie when he ran Lions when it first opened sits with Bob Muravez...who was probably driving back then as well.     Don Rackemann had a hard time keeping quite as Louie Senter tells stories about the operating style Don used at the Saugus track...interesting bookeeping! Rackemann stories could fill up many volumes, probably make for a complete library.     Mac at the mic - nothing better.     Mike doesn't seem amused by the bantering of Don and Louie.     What a great day for all to get autographs, especially since Bob McClurg's new book "Diggers, Funnies, Gassers and Altereds" was on sale there for these men to sign. Here C.J. signs one. Bob's book is available at 2004 BookMart     Pappy and Harry Hibler share a laugh, which there were plenty of. Great to see Harry out of the hospital from his nasty motorcycle accident last year...it was touch and go for awhile.       Steve Gibbs talks about the time he blew up an old car with a M80 at the top end of the Irwindale track one night causing the Irwindale Fire Department to show up...ask him about it sometime.     While the boys were having fun at the museum, the BankAmericar sat alone at the Long Beach Grand Prix in the Bridgestone/Firestone booth just before the Expo opened and thousands of race fans got to check her out...The digger was a big hit with the open wheel racing fans. Photos & commentary by John Ewald     Members Site Map || Visitors Site Map   Site Copyright Ewald Enterprises, 1998-2012. All Rights Reserved. Fuel Dragsters is a Left Coast Graphics Web Property.