Normally
Cacklefest.com would not cover an event that only had two cacklecars
but the 20th annual Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada had to
be an exception. Without question it is the largest gathering
of "iron" in the world. It draws more than 700,000
people over its 7 day span. The masses come to experience nearly
6,000 of the best hot rods, street rods, race cars and show bikes
in the country. And, for the third year in a row the Firestone
Complete Auto Care exhibit has been one of the focal points of
the event and within their exhibit the most popular attraction
has been John Ewald's "Maxed Out Racing" vintage Top
Fuel (cacklecar) dragsters.
Over this year Ewald and his crew (Alex Mikkelsen, Bob Danly
and Mario Garcia) will make a dozen or so appearances with both
cars and do upwards of 250 fire-ups - more than all the other
cacklecars combined. Thus they are considered by many to be our
most visible goodwill ambassadors all the while doing volumes
to educate people on drag racing history. And that is the main
crux of this coverage ... not so much the photos of the cars
but the huge crowds they attracted. A large number of these folks
had never seen a front engine top fuel dragster and now they
will never forget them. And for those who have seen them, the
memories flood back. How many will attend events like the CHRR
just because of what they saw here? Then there's the indelible
impression left in the minds of all the kids who went home wanting
to know more about our sport.
Finally, there's the possibility that this may spur other
cacklecar owners to get more involved in events outside of the
drag strips. Firestone Complete Auto Care has seen the value
in sponsoring the Ewald cars and who's to say other brand name
corporations, or even local businesses, won't see the huge market
we are just scratching the surface of. We need all the
ambassadors we can get to insure our history will live on for
generations to come and we hope others will beat down doors to
further that cause.
Now enjoy the photos.
