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01.29.08: Wally Day and Fundraising Dinner at NHRA Museum

In honor of National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Founder Wally Parks, the Automobile Club of Southern California and Shelby Automobiles Inc. will host the annual Wally Parks Fundraising Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, 6 p.m.- the first night of the Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA."The Wally Dinner is one of the Museum's major fund raising efforts," explained Museum Executive Director Tony Thacker. "We are very excited to present an evening with a new vehicle reveal, a live auction, and a panel discussion - all to benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum."

Forty years since they fielded a Top Fuel dragster, Carroll Shelby and Don "The Snake" Prudhomme will unveil a limited-edition Shelby Mustang built by Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas for the event opening. The event will also present "Bench Racing with Legends", a panel discussion with moderator Mike Dunn and panelists John Force, Don Prudhomme, Ed McCulloch, and Jerry Ruth.(1) Also, a live racing memorabilia auction featuring historic motorsports artifacts will conclude the evening's festivities. Wally Day on Feb. 5th is a free museum day and opened to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Gate 1 of the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, CA.

(1) From the articles and videos I read/watched of the Legends panel discussion, it was great with some very funny moments. - fla

New Shelby Mustang revealed as race-only 'R Model - New limited edition car details and specs

Museum and Vintage Photos of Don Prudhomme with Carroll Shelby and
with Wally Parks along with a major hottie.

JIM DUNN BEGINS 60th SEASON
Competition Plus by Kirk Weeks
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Senior Jim Dunn Is In No Mood To Call It A Career
San Barnardino Sun, by Louis Brewster
Feb. 3, 2009

There was a time when Jim Dunn was best-known as the Long Beach firefighter who also was a drag racer. For a while, he was best known as the father of Mike Dunn, the former racer who now is an analyst for ESPN. With the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series opener just around the corner at Pomona Raceway, Dunn has evolved into a role as an elder statesman for the sport. That's a natural, given this will be his 60th season.

"I didn't even think I'd live to be 60, let alone be involved with something for 60 years," Dunn said as he prepared the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy Funny Car to be driven by Jerry Toliver. "I've seen drag racing going from good to bad and back to good again. "But it's hard to do it now. The fun days were when we'd go to a little match race for four days. Now you've got to have 10-20 guys on the team just to get it started." Dunn, perhaps better known as tuner, scored numerous wins, including a victory at the 1972 Supernationals at Ontario Motor Speedway and the 1981 World Finals at Orange County International Raceway in Irvine.

"Everybody asks how you can do this for 60 years. I must just really love pain or I'm just really stupid," Dunn said with a laugh. "It's been good for me because I enjoy working on the cars. I enjoy listening to them and hearing them. Everybody gets caught up winning and is hurt if they don't. "If you win a race, that's a bonus. Just getting there and getting them started is the fun part. I do it for myself because I enjoy it. When the car starts and does what you ask it to, that's the whole emotional trap right there."

Despite modern technology, Dunn relies on old-school methods. "I still tune mostly by feel and the computer tells me if I'm right or wrong. That's my back-up tool," Dunn said. "The new guys do it just the opposite way. They tune by computer and then maybe check it out by feel to see if they're right. The new guys are a lot better with the computers than I am, but I think I'm better than they are with just gut feeling. "They haven't had the experience. You don't know until it happens."

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BUSY NHRA MUSEUM - - The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum will host three free events at Fairplex, beginning with WallyDay on Thursday. Other events include the semi-annual Night of Champions with the Auto Club question-and-answer session with NHRA drivers on Friday and the popular Racing Collectible Show on Saturday. "During these difficult economic times, families are looking for savings and the museum is pleased to offer a fun and free time for all," museum executive director Tony Thacker said. Among the highlights will be the unveiling of a limited-edition Shelby Mustang at a fundraising dinner. Ticket for the 6 p.m. dinner can be reserved by calling (909) 622-8562.

EXHIBITION RUNS - - NHRA's Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series will be showcased at the Winternationals with several exhibitions runs, including some by the famed "Winged Express" fuel-altered. Originally driven to fame by the late "Wild Willie" Borsch, it recently was ranked second overall among all cars from drag racing history in a recent NHRA.com poll. Mike Boyd will drive the four-wheeled dragster which is capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph Saturday and Sunday.

NHRA Legends Scheduled To Appear At Bristol Dragway’s Thunder Valley Club

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

What more could die-hard drag race fans want than unbelievable action, pit-side seating, catered meals and preferred parking at the May 15-17 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway?

How about the chance to rub elbows with a few of drag racing’s renowned drivers at one of the NHRA’s legendary tracks?

The NHRA Legends Breakfast will take place on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and will see several of drag racing’s biggest names participate in a Q & A session with race fans. Among the legends scheduled to appear are Don “Snake” Prudhomme, Ed “Ace” McCulloch, Kenny Bernstein, Don Schumacher, Dale Pulde and Shirl Greer.

The catered legends breakfast will be just one of the special opportunities available for fans purchasing tickets to Bristol Dragway’s Thunder Valley Club.

In addition to this unique Q & A session, the Thunder Valley Club offers pit-side seating with private patio just feet away from Bristol Dragway’s starting line. The seating package also includes catered meals, a fan gift pack, preferred parking with the purchase of two tickets, a cash bar, private restrooms and the opportunity to meet NHRA’s biggest names.

http://www.bristoldragway.com/news/dragway_news/545954.html