Nostalgia Fall Finish at Mendota Raceway Park replaced the longstanding fall Eagle Field runway races. On Oct. 11 and 12, hot rod fans from around the West will gather for good old-fashioned fun, racing and friendship.
According to organizer Rocky Phillips, this October’s race at Mendota features the same format and classes as the former Eagle Field racing event. He added, “Good or bad, I will continue to ‘direct’ the competition.”
Carl Lemke has been part of local runway racing since the beginning at Eagle Field in 2009. He is proud to have worked with Rocky Phillips for many years. Lemke builds the trophy for the Flathead V8 and six-cylinder Clash.
Flathead is the requirement for the Clash event. All flathead-powered vehicles are welcome. This includes V8, straight-eight, or an L-head engine.
Six-cylinder powered engines are included. Engines may be blown, injected or naturally aspirated. Anything an owner has that is flathead is welcome.
Lemke encourages, “Get out what you have hidden in your garage and have some fun!” The category is more or less open-ended. Of course, normal safety equipment is required, and vehicles are subject to inspection.
Lemke stresses the difference between local runway races and the big time. Racers gather in Mendota to win bragging rights and a nice trophy. He explains that, unlike high-end racing, where money is the motivator, folks come to the local raceway because they are part of a family.
According to Lemke, there are two types of racers. He shared a favorite poem that captures the spirit of the family-oriented racers who come to the Fall Finish race event.
Quoted by racing photographer and journalist, Andrew Wolf, and cited from an unknown source, it goes as follows:
“Somewhere in America, a racer will load his race car in a double-decker trailer, grab a beer from the refrigerator of his motor coach, settle onto a leather sofa and complain about the high cost of racing.
“Somewhere else in America, a racer will load his race car onto a battered open trailer, pull some cold ones out of his cooler in the back of an old truck and talk about what a blast he just had.”
Identifying with the second type of racer and emphasizing family, Lemke says, “That’s what the Nostalgia Fall Finish is about, family. Everyone is welcome to bring what they have and enjoy the fun. At the races here, people treat one another wonderfully.”
Lemke explains, “It’s like going back to the ’60s. It takes us back to a time when racing was for fun, not for profit. People just race for bragging rights. The winner gets a trophy. That is it.”
Lemke has his own 1946 V8 Flathead front engine dragster to run in the Clash at Mendota. At one time, he raced a 1936 Ford pick-up at Half Moon Bay.
He explains that this race is a true nostalgia class. Horsepower is low, so even four and six-cylinder engines can compete. Many racers are running antiques. Some cars from the ’60s have been meticulously maintained. Other vehicles have been restored.
For the Nostalgia Fall Finish, there are Quick Eight Qualifying and Bracket Time Trials on Saturday. Sunday will be all class eliminations.
Campers and racers are welcome on Friday. Spectator camping is $40. Racers camp for free as there are no one-day entries.
For category details and registration, still see eaglefielddrags.com. Racers seeking information can call Rocky at 559-351-3537. For track information, call Adrian at 559-829-7473.
Spectators are sure to see some grand vehicles. Nostalgia Fall Finish is at Mendota Raceway Park, 359 Airport Boulevard, Mendota, California.
Janet Miller’s e-book, Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides,isfor families or prayer groups. Janet is the creator of Friends on the Way, an e-resource for churches to teach families about the Bible and discipleship. Find it at www.TeamRCIA.com.
