Others on hand were Zane Schubert in the Schubert and Herbert Chevy TFD owned by Ron “Big Yawns” Johnson, Don Preito’s “Hustler,” both the Ewald Brothers (“Mastercar” and “Bankamericar”). 

The Hampshire Brothers (Jeep and Ronnie) were driving the “Magicar” and the Stellings and Hampshire cars.

The brand new cackler “Chubasco” formerly owned by the late Jack Ewell and now by Rick McDonald was at the event.	The Poachers TFD had to set a new record for longest running cackle car. Walt Rhoades kept the car running for over seven minutes!

A couple of favorites were the immaculate Tocco-Harper-Garten AA/FA which is owned by Mike Tocco of Las Vegas, NV, and Rick Ackerman, who has puts a nitro Hemi in his Fiat modified Fuel Coupe for our enjoyment.

It was awesome to see the first showing of the Smirnoff TFD, which was campaigned by Darrell Greenamayer, who still is on the Air Show circuit. The guys just didn’t have quite enough time to complete the power plant in the “Smirnoff Spl.,” but everyone was in awe of it.

The grand finale was the match up of the “Barnstormer” car of “TV Tommy” Ivo, which was painted and looking great, as owner Ron Johnson had TV Tommy himself at the wheel. He was paired up with the “Frantic Four” of Weekly, Rivero, Fox and Holding, who have just been inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was just like going back in time to see these two line up together just like they were going to the Drag News #1 spot! Just to see the big grin on Tommy Ivo’s face said it all.

The whole show, including the videos produced by Bill Pitts Company Vintage Racer Expositions, which included live coverage of the fest, was presented on a big screen for those who did not have a great viewing point. Mr. Pitts goes to extreme measures for safety by requiring all the cacklefest vehicles to either have the drive line disconnected or locked out.

Bill Pitts, John Ewald and Ron Johnson, along with the City of Escondido and the Cruisin’ Grand  car show group put on a great weekly show on Friday nights in Escondido. The event was sponsored by San Diego Gas and Electric, Firestone Tires, Orange Line Oil, Castrol, Toyota of Escondido, Minshu Steel, Hawthorne Cat, and the Downtown Business Association of Escondido. Without everyone involved this event would not be possible.