Drag Racing News Daily

Public Invited to March Meet Kickoff Party at Chuy's, Mar. 6

Racers and cars to help start 50th celebration of legendary race, set for Mar. 7-9 at Auto Club Famoso

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2008) – Gentleman, start your burritos!

The public is invited to Chuy's restaurant (8660 Rosedale Hwy.) between 5 p.m.-8.p.m., Thurs., Mar. 6, to help kickoff the biggest party in town: the 50th March Meet which runs at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway, Mar. 7-9.

According to Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet, the kickoff party will include cars and drag racing stars such as NHRA's POWERade Series' Ron Capps. Nostalgic dragsters are expected to be "fired-up" in Chuy's parking lot.

"This party at Chuy's is the start of March Meet Week," Bowser said. "The March Meet is Bakersfield born and bred, and we're celebrating its golden anniversary this weekend. We're hoping to see a lot nostalgia drag racing fans at Chuy's on Thursday and again at the track for the races. This whole event it major milestone for Bakersfield and Kern County."

Now celebrating 50 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call 'the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.'  It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and vendors' midway. Tickets: Super 3-Day Passes are now on sale at www.famosoraceway.com for $75. Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.3, but will only be available at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 7; $30 for Sat., Mar. 8; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 9.

Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

The Grand Marshals this year are drag racing legends Don "the Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen.

The 2008 March Meet is also the inaugural race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA's new 7-race nostalgia racing series.

The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet, Mar. 7-9, 2008.  For more details, visit www.famosoraceway.com.