{"id":9563,"date":"2010-05-04T09:32:00","date_gmt":"2010-05-04T16:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/?p=9563"},"modified":"2010-08-07T10:41:53","modified_gmt":"2010-08-07T17:41:53","slug":"hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Hot Rod Ramblings&#8221;: The &#8220;Calera Kids&#8221; and the &#8220;Pit&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mr_social_sharing_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Social Sharing Toolkit v2.2 --><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2Fhot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit%2F&amp;media=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F05%2FGay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick.jpg&amp;description=%E2%80%9CHot+Rod+Ramblings%E2%80%9D%3A+The+%E2%80%9CCalera+Kids%E2%80%9D+and+the+%E2%80%9CPit%E2%80%9D\" class=\"pin-it-button\" count-layout=\"none\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" title=\"Pin It\" \/><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><fb:share-button type=\"button_count\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\"><\/fb:share-button><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-count=\"horizontal\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\" data-via=\"myrideisme\" data-text=\"\u201cHot Rod Ramblings\u201d: The \u201cCalera Kids\u201d and the \u201cPit\u201d\"><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><div class=\"g-plusone\" data-size=\"medium\" data-annotation=\"none\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\"><\/div><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a class=\"mr_social_share_email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=\u201cHot Rod Ramblings\u201d: The \u201cCalera Kids\u201d and the \u201cPit\u201d&amp;body=https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-sharing-toolkit\/images\/icons_small\/email.png\" class=\"nopin\" alt=\"Email\" title=\"Email\"\/><span class=\"mr_small_icon\">Email<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"linksalpha_button linksalpha_link\" href=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/social\/mobile\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\" data-text=\"\u201cHot Rod Ramblings\u201d: The \u201cCalera Kids\u201d and the \u201cPit\u201d\" data-desc=\"It's been too long since I've posted a \"Hot Rod Ramblings\" feature.\u00a0 For this post, I'm gonna go Nostalgia Drag and Funny Cars on you guys.\u00a0 But, these \"hot rod ramblings\" come from my Uncle, \"RickyRod\" Hechtspeed.\u00a0 These\u00a0are my Uncle's memories of the \"Pit\" from the late 60's.\u00a0 The \"Pit\"\u00a0was\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick.jpg\" data-button=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/images\/social_share_button.png\" alt=\"Share\" class=\"linksalpha_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/scripts\/loader_iconbox.js?v=2.4\"><\/script><\/span><\/div><p>It&#8217;s been too long since I&#8217;ve posted a &#8220;Hot Rod Ramblings&#8221; feature.\u00a0 For this post, I&#8217;m gonna go Nostalgia Drag and Funny Cars on you guys.\u00a0 But, these &#8220;hot rod ramblings&#8221; come from my Uncle, &#8220;RickyRod&#8221; Hechtspeed.\u00a0 These\u00a0are my Uncle&#8217;s memories of the &#8220;Pit&#8221; from the late 60&#8217;s.\u00a0 The &#8220;Pit&#8221;\u00a0was the nickname for\u00a0the first Irwindale Dragstrip.<\/p>\n<p>A quick background&#8230; the &#8220;Calera Kids&#8221; were my dad (Rodger\u00a0&#8220;Calera Ave burnout king&#8221;\u00a0and Ford\/Merc&#8217; lover and his little bro, the\u00a0&#8220;Chevy Puke&#8221; (as my dad would call him) and their buddies Rick Patterson, Scott Henry, John DeGraff (sporto), Lalo\u00a0Gabriel, Rob Shultz, Pat Murphy and a few kids not directly in the &#8220;hood&#8221; Scott Taylor and Steve Presley were drag fans.\u00a0\u00a0They lived on Calera Avenue in Azusa, California, the next city over from Irwindale.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, these ramblings are taken from some emails from my Uncle.\u00a0 They mean a lot to me, because it is a piece of the Hechtspeed history.\u00a0 I thought you guys would really dig &#8217;em too, so here goes, let the Ramblings begin!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9569\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Gay Pontiac Tyree Headers Tiger Arnie Beswick at Irwindale Dragstrip\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick.jpg\" alt=\"Gay Pontiac Tyree Headers Tiger Arnie Beswick at Irwindale Dragstrip\" width=\"468\" height=\"266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick.jpg 468w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gay-Pontiac-Tyree-Headers-Tiger-Arnie-Beswick-400x227.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;It is possible that the four kids shrouded by the supercharger are the \u201cCalera Kids\u201d. \u00a0That was one of our favorite spots.\u00a0 What do you think Rodger, could that be us?&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Keatons-Komet-at-Fontana-Drag-City.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9592\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Keatons Komet at Fontana Drag City\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Keatons-Komet-at-Fontana-Drag-City.jpg\" alt=\"Keatons Komet at Fontana Drag City\" width=\"468\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Keatons-Komet-at-Fontana-Drag-City.jpg 468w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Keatons-Komet-at-Fontana-Drag-City-150x107.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Keatons-Komet-at-Fontana-Drag-City-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Keatons-Komet-at-Fontana-Drag-City-400x285.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\">Okay, one last Comet.\u00a0 This guy we all liked.\u00a0 Sooo, it is not a Vomit Comit. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\">Dee<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"> was a great racer who let us &#8220;Kids&#8221; help unload the car, wax the body, clean the tires and what not. \u00a0A few of us even got to climb in and sit in the beast.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t win much, but I remember one night he kicked butt and took names (must have upped the nitro % and prayed to the Piston Rod and Crank Gods because it held together). \u00a0The car was a \u201chand-me-down\u201d from Pete Gates but <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\">Dee<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"> made it his own with an awesome Red, White and Blue pearl paint job. Dee Keaton with the Keaton\u2019s Komet !\u00a0 He campained a Cougar \u201cKeaton\u2019s Kougar\u201d in 68 and then faded away, but not in our memories. \u00a0He was a cool dude as compared to guys like \u201cBig John\u201d Masmanian who would yell at us for even going near his car.\u00a0 A game we played when bored was to see who could put a finger print on the \u201cBig\u2019s\u201d Cuda. Notice the aluminum body dents in the fender, identifying this car as one of the original FoMoCo sponsored Comets (fiberglass does not bend).<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Fast-Eddie-Schartman-Mercury-Comet-funny-car.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9572\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Fast Eddie Schartman's Mercury Comet funny car\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Fast-Eddie-Schartman-Mercury-Comet-funny-car.jpg\" alt=\"Fast Eddie Schartman's Mercury Comet funny car\" width=\"468\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Fast-Eddie-Schartman-Mercury-Comet-funny-car.jpg 468w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Fast-Eddie-Schartman-Mercury-Comet-funny-car-150x82.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Fast-Eddie-Schartman-Mercury-Comet-funny-car-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Fast-Eddie-Schartman-Mercury-Comet-funny-car-400x220.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;The MAN !\u00a0 \u201cFast Eddie\u201d, this car was unbeatable in 1967.\u00a0 If he showed up at any East Coast vs. West Coast funny car meet, then us Chevy lovers could pack up and just go home!\u00a0 I remember the rubber marks this car would lay down on the track. Check out this smokin\u2019 tire wheelie!&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Charlie-Allen-65-Long-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9573\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: black 2px solid;\" title=\"Charlie Allen open door burnout Dart Funny Car at Irwindale Dragstrip\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Charlie-Allen-65-Long-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg\" alt=\"Charlie Allen's open door burnout Dart Funny Car at Irwindale Dragstrip\" width=\"575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Charlie-Allen-65-Long-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Charlie-Allen-65-Long-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Charlie-Allen-65-Long-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Charlie-Allen-65-Long-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-400x249.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><strong><em>&#8220;Third picture is Irwindale.\u00a0 Your dad and I where most likely in the stands watchin Charlie do one of his trademark \u201copen door\u201d burnouts.\u00a0 Cleared the smoke out of the car, and he would look out the side of the door to line up on the rubber he just laid down!&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Flying-Dutchman-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9575\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: black 2px solid;\" title=\"Flying Dutchman Dart Funny Car at Irwindale Dragstrip\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Flying-Dutchman-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg\" alt=\"Flying Dutchman Dart Funny Car at Irwindale Dragstrip\" width=\"575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Flying-Dutchman-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Flying-Dutchman-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-150x89.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Flying-Dutchman-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Flying-Dutchman-Dart-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-400x238.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;Okay, so the story goes in drag racing history that an east coast funny car named the \u201cChi-Town Hustler\u201d started the super smokey burn-out with his 69 Dodge Charger.\u00a0 Well, your dad and I could tell you that\u2019s bull crap !\u00a0 Our very own Al Vanderwoulde in his \u201cFlying Dutchman\u201d would lay down some very awesome rubber witness this photo.\u00a0 That was 1967, two years before the Chi Town Hustler.\u00a0 This Dart funny was later sold and ran as the Quarter Bender and was a regular at the pit for about three seasons.&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Tornado-Dragster-crash-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9576\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Tornado Dragster crash at Irwindale Dragstrip\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Tornado-Dragster-crash-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg\" alt=\"Tornado Dragster crash at Irwindale Dragstrip\" width=\"554\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Tornado-Dragster-crash-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip.jpg 554w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Tornado-Dragster-crash-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Tornado-Dragster-crash-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Tornado-Dragster-crash-at-Irwindale-Dragstrip-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;Okay.\u00a0 This one is for you bro. \u00a0I remember this crash !\u00a0 We where there, right at the starting line on the pit side.\u00a0 The car pulled hard right, Big John cranked the wheel left, then over corrected back right and went straight into the guardrail.\u00a0 The car had a huge steering wheel with a \u201cbroody knob\u201d like a trucker would use, and he was really crankin\u2019 on that thing.\u00a0 This car never could go straight, he would hit the throttle only for seconds at a time, never made a full pass. \u00a0Looking back I wonder if the driver was just so frustrated with the car he just went for it, because on this pass he did not let up!&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Ruby-red-Don-Gay-Pontiac-Drag-car-at-Irwindale-dragstrip.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9577\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Ruby red Don Gay Pontiac Drag car at Irwindale dragstrip\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Ruby-red-Don-Gay-Pontiac-Drag-car-at-Irwindale-dragstrip.jpg\" alt=\"Ruby red Don Gay Pontiac Drag car at Irwindale dragstrip\" width=\"468\" height=\"273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Ruby-red-Don-Gay-Pontiac-Drag-car-at-Irwindale-dragstrip.jpg 468w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Ruby-red-Don-Gay-Pontiac-Drag-car-at-Irwindale-dragstrip-150x87.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Ruby-red-Don-Gay-Pontiac-Drag-car-at-Irwindale-dragstrip-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Ruby-red-Don-Gay-Pontiac-Drag-car-at-Irwindale-dragstrip-400x233.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;This one is for Ben.\u00a0 Plexigless was ragin\u2019, this is the very first funny car I saw coming through the admission gates, I saw this car with it\u2019s metal flake ruby red paint, red plastic windows and gold leaf lettering pulling another 150 \u2013 160 mph pass.\u00a0 It was then I knew the \u201cPIT\u201d was IT ! Those where the days my friend\u2026&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Max-Curtis-Long-nose-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9578\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Max Curtis Long nose Mustang Funny Car at Irwindale\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Max-Curtis-Long-nose-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale.jpg\" alt=\"Max Curtis Long nose Mustang Funny Car at Irwindale\" width=\"575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Max-Curtis-Long-nose-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Max-Curtis-Long-nose-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Max-Curtis-Long-nose-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Max-Curtis-Long-nose-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-400x268.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;Here is another of Rodger\u2019s famous ford cammers.\u00a0 This is the Max Curtis 66 long nose mustang.\u00a0 The cammers where getting the job done at the \u201cPit\u201d in 66-67 until the Ed Pink and Donavan aluminum head hemis started showing up. \u00a0There were a few strong Big Block Chevys to come along but the next few days we will see the Ford\u2019s that ruled (for a time).&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gas-Ronda-Cammer-powered-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9579\" style=\"border: 2px solid black; margin: 4px;\" title=\"Gas Ronda  Cammer powered Mustang Funny Car at Irwindale\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gas-Ronda-Cammer-powered-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale.jpg\" alt=\"Gas Ronda  Cammer powered Mustang Funny Car at Irwindale\" width=\"468\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gas-Ronda-Cammer-powered-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale.jpg 468w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gas-Ronda-Cammer-powered-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gas-Ronda-Cammer-powered-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Gas-Ronda-Cammer-powered-Mustang-Funny-Car-at-Irwindale-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><em><strong>&#8220;This is the car that exploded a motor and hurt the GAS pretty badly.\u00a0 Like Rodger said the cammers didn\u2019t do so good on blowers.\u00a0 Notice the air duct to push the cars nose down at speed from the front grill area up through the hood. \u00a0That is the kind of innovation you could count on from Gas.&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\">Pictures were found on the <a title=\"Speed City Resin\" href=\"http:\/\/www.speedcityresin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Speed City Resin website<\/a>, a site dedicated to making Vintage Drag Racing Models and Parts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\">Anybody remember the &#8220;Pit&#8221; in the late 60&#8217;s?\u00a0 If so, let us know in a comment below.\u00a0 Maybe one of the old &#8220;Calera Kids&#8221; is reading this?\u00a0 Maybe you heard my dad&#8217;s &#8217;64 Comet Cyclone with 4.56 gears, open headers and high revving 289ci cruising the streets of San Gabriel Valley or the drag runs on the 210 freeway?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\">Hechtspeed<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial\"><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/herologoweb-Speed-City-Resin-Models.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[9563]\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9584\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: black 2px solid;\" title=\"Logo for Speed City Resin Models\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/herologoweb-Speed-City-Resin-Models-293x300.jpg\" alt=\"Logo for Speed City Resin Models\" width=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/herologoweb-Speed-City-Resin-Models-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/herologoweb-Speed-City-Resin-Models-146x150.jpg 146w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/herologoweb-Speed-City-Resin-Models-400x408.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/herologoweb-Speed-City-Resin-Models.jpg 504w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mr_social_sharing_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Social Sharing Toolkit v2.2 --><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2Fhot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit%2F&amp;media=&amp;description=%E2%80%9CHot+Rod+Ramblings%E2%80%9D%3A+The+%E2%80%9CCalera+Kids%E2%80%9D+and+the+%E2%80%9CPit%E2%80%9D\" class=\"pin-it-button\" count-layout=\"none\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" title=\"Pin It\" \/><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><fb:share-button type=\"button_count\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\"><\/fb:share-button><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-count=\"horizontal\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\" data-via=\"myrideisme\" data-text=\"\u201cHot Rod Ramblings\u201d: The \u201cCalera Kids\u201d and the \u201cPit\u201d\"><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><div class=\"g-plusone\" data-size=\"medium\" data-annotation=\"none\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\"><\/div><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a class=\"mr_social_share_email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=\u201cHot Rod Ramblings\u201d: The \u201cCalera Kids\u201d and the \u201cPit\u201d&amp;body=https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-sharing-toolkit\/images\/icons_small\/email.png\" class=\"nopin\" alt=\"Email\" title=\"Email\"\/><span class=\"mr_small_icon\">Email<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"linksalpha_button linksalpha_link\" href=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/social\/mobile\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/hot-rod-ramblings-the-calera-kids-and-the-pit\/\" data-text=\"\u201cHot Rod Ramblings\u201d: The \u201cCalera Kids\u201d and the \u201cPit\u201d\" data-desc=\"It's been too long since I've posted a \"Hot Rod Ramblings\" feature.\u00a0 For this post, I'm gonna go Nostalgia Drag and Funny Cars on you guys.\u00a0 But, these \"hot rod ramblings\" come from my Uncle, \"RickyRod\" Hechtspeed.\u00a0 These\u00a0are my Uncle's memories of the \"Pit\" from the late 60's.\u00a0 The \"Pit\"\u00a0was\" data-image=\"\" data-button=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/images\/social_share_button.png\" alt=\"Share\" class=\"linksalpha_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/scripts\/loader_iconbox.js?v=2.4\"><\/script><\/span><\/div><p>Email It&#8217;s been too long since I&#8217;ve posted a &#8220;Hot Rod Ramblings&#8221; feature.\u00a0 For this post, I&#8217;m gonna go Nostalgia Drag and Funny Cars on you guys.\u00a0 But, these &#8220;hot rod ramblings&#8221; come from my Uncle, &#8220;RickyRod&#8221; Hechtspeed.\u00a0 These\u00a0are my Uncle&#8217;s memories of the &#8220;Pit&#8221; from the late 60&#8217;s.\u00a0 The &#8220;Pit&#8221;\u00a0was the nickname for\u00a0the first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[384,19,1816],"tags":[13,446,2600,1156,2513,1295,286,2541],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9563"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9563"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9589,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9563\/revisions\/9589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}