We’ve finalized the details regarding the March Meet and our 22nd annual Smokers Reunion Dinner. This year’s event will again be held at the Kern County Fairgrounds on Friday March 3, in the Harvest Hall (enter off Ming Avenue). Doors open at 5:00 PM with dinner served at 7:00. Please RSVP if possible if you plan to buy your tickets at the door – last year we just about ran out of tickets (thanks for your support!) and we want everyone to join us and enjoy the awesome BBQ prepared by the Ridge Route Boys! You can also purchase with PayPal at these links:
- Member Dinner Ticket
- Non Member Dinner Ticket
- Or mail your check to Bakersfield Smokers, PO Box 22288, Bakersfield, CA 93390
This year’s guest speaker is none other than Drag Racing legend STEVE GIBBS! I’m sure most of you know about Steve but here’s a quick summary of achievements:
1961 First worked as event staff member – San Gabriel Drag Strip
1966 First full time employment in drag racing – Irwindale Raceway
1966 First Manager position – Irwindale Raceway
1968 Manager of Fremont Raceway
1969 Manager of Corpus Christi Raceway
1969 Hired by Wally Parks as full time employee of Hot Rod Association.
1972 Named Competition Director of National Hot Rod Association
Initiated numerous contributions to NHRA Drag Racing, including the re-
establishment of the NHRA Safety Safari
1980 Named Vice President Competition of National Hot Rod Association
As Event Director – Conducted approximately 400 NHRA National Events
1990 Initiated NHRA Historical Services – forerunner of The NHRA Motorsports Museum
1991 Recipient of 25th Anniversary Car Craft Magazine All-Star Drag Racing Team “Ollie” Award
1992 Initiated NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion
1994 Named to Selection Committee – International Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Twenty two years of consecutive service.
1995 Recipient of NHRA Lifetime Achievement “Wally” Award
1997 Initiated NHRA Motorsports Museum at L.A. County Fairgrounds
Named to NHRA Museum Board of Directors – Still an active member
1998 Retired as NHRAVice President Competition
1998 Named Vice President – NHRA Motorsports Museum
1998 Recipient of California Hot Rod Reunion Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 Retired as Director of NHRA Motorsports Museum
2006 Inducted into Don Garlits’ International Drag Racing Hall of Fame
2007 Recipient of Bakersfield March Meet Recognition Award
2007 Recipient of Distinguished Achievement Award by East Coast
Drag Times Hall of Fame
2009 Recipient of California Hot Rod Reunion Board of Director’s Award
2010 Inducted into Maple Grove Raceway Walk of Fame
2011 Named as Grand Marshal – 20th Anniversary California Hot Rod Reunion
As always, we invite and encourage you to bring your race cars, show cars, and works-in-progress to display outside the venue. We will also see a return of the Top Fuel Dragster “The Fugative” at the event.
If we miss you at the Dinner, please stop by and say “hi” at our booth during the race!