Friday 1st August 2008
Bob, Tania, Marilyn and myself visited the USA to attend the 19th Annual GoodGuy West Coast Street Rod Nationals.
Here are some photos...
We drove down from LA to Bakersfield the first night and the following morning called in to see an old Sprint car acquaintance, Don Berry. The F350 and trailer was kindly leant to us by Rich Hart who attended the first Americarna with his black 32 Roadster. The Hot Rod on the truck was provided for us to use by Gary Schroder who also attended the first Americarna.
Next Stop up the road in Fresno was John Lawson's Hot Rod Shop. This is his own private collection and was simply amazing. I had met John some years ago and briefly caught up at Pleasanton last year. John is a hard case who loves telling jokes, and that works for me! He is a very successful businessman who has and still does work hard to stay on top of his game. Not only does he have Hot Rods, but original restored cars and custom Harleys.
 | John Lawson. |
 | We all loved the 32 Roadster. |
 | Just a few more of his immaculate cars. All on trickle charger and ready to run. |
 | Flat head, supercharged on webers, we challenged its ability to start straight up! Sure enough one pump and it fired into life! |
 | Presentation on every vehicle flawless. |
 | And just a few more! |
 | Wouldn't mind some of this stuff for my bar!! |
The Thursday night we caught the last day of the Hot Rod week and visited Steve Moal's shop. The following are just a few of his projects and cars parked outside the shop.
Next stop was to the biggest Harley dealer in the USA. Clean! Never seen anything like it!
Later that afternoon we went to the Hilton to register for the event. This is just some of the cars in the car park.
We were invited to visit the GoodGuys office.
 | Kirk Jones's Ford with old style wild paint job. |
Friday was day one at Pleasanton. Just a couple of the 3000 plus cars at the event.
 | Met up with a couple of kiwis at the bar for a drink. |
 | Tania just back from her first drive of a Hot Rod after taking a cruise around the fairground. |
 | The team with Kirk Jones, his wife Christine and daughter who are all coming to Americarna 2009. |
 | Sunday - Made time for little sight seeing on the way to Infineon Raceway to see Scott Dixon. |
 | Blair Julian - Team member on Scott's car. Blair is a New Plymouth boy living in the USA and has crewed for Scott for some years. |
 | Spot the decal on Anton Julian's tool box! |
 | Anton Julian, elder brother to Blair, also crews on IRL cars and doing very well for himself in the US. |
 | Three hours before the race, final preparations. |
Well, thats my photos, will check out what the others have and pick out the best.
Cheers
JR.
