When you race the 24-event NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series between February and early November, off weekends are, for the most devoted of drivers, are few and far between. Last weekend presented one of the rare opportunities for a handful of NHRA professional drag racers who chose to spend the downtime getting in more drag racing time.

The annual Bakersfield March Meet in the spring and California Hot Rod Reunion events at Auto Club Famoso Raceway [Bakersfield, Ca.] has an aura which takes the leading racers back to an era when drag racing was based more on a good time and less corporate demands.

When you race the 24-event NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series between February and early November, off weekends are, for the most devoted of drivers, are few and far between. Last weekend presented one of the rare opportunities for a handful of NHRA professional drag racers who chose to spend the downtime getting in more drag racing time.

The annual Bakersfield March Meet in the spring and California Hot Rod Reunion events at Auto Club Famoso Raceway [Bakersfield, Ca.] has an aura which takes the leading racers back to an era when drag racing was based more on a good time and less corporate demands.

“It’s a very gratifying experience,” said Ron Capps, who drove a Nostalgia Funny Car [AA/FC], a Plymouth Arrow for Steve Plueger. “It’s almost like you go into another point in time when you are there. It’s as if you are on another planet. You have to pop back into reality when you leave there. You honestly go back in time to when you were a child.”

This year’s March Meet featured four drivers competing in the AA/FC division who are competing at this weekend’s Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals. In addition to Capps, Del Worsham, Chad Head and Jeff Arend all made runs at the famous track north of Los Angeles.

“I know the difference between the two cars,” admitted Head, who made his NHRA Nitro Funny Car debut this weekend in Gainesville. “I respect them both. Both have their own unique challenges.”

The biggest challenge might be the physical toll the extreme requirements of doing race maintenance the old school way can take on the body.

“All of the fun, the work … the stuff like changing engines and working late at night, is what can take its toll on you,” explained Worsham, a quarter-finalist in Bakersfield. “But, it is always a great time and really an awesome experience.”

The one NHRA Funny Car driver who has the toughest time is likely Robert Hight, who is unable to compete in the events.

“it’s very tough to go back and watch,” admitted Hight. “I’m pretty competitive and I feel confident I could drive one of them. Hopefully one day I will get to give it a shot. For now, you get plenty of satisfaction in just watching my friends race up there.”

Hight is assigned to promotional duties during the Bakersfield nostalgia events through his affiliation with Auto Club, also the track’s sponsor. This isn’t to say he’s unable to step away from his autograph signings to take in a bit of the racing.

“I look forward to these events every year,” said Hight. “I was looking forward to the California Hot Rod Reunion the moment I pulled out of the gates leaving the March Meet.”

Should an opportunity present itself for him to race, finding a car to drive wouldn’t be a problem for Hight. The past NHRA champion has  orchestrated the fabrication of two John Force “Brute Force” Monza replicas as well as two Corvettes, one the Leo’s Stereo-sponsored entry and the other the popular Wendy’s Hot & Juicy entry. On display over the weekend was the Mountain Dew Chevrolet Citation, a Funny Car Force ran during the 1981 season.

“I love watching those old cars because they have so much personality,” Hight said. “I could sit and watch these cars all day. Maybe someday I will get to drive one. I think it would be a blast to try doing a dry hop. For now, I am content being a spectator. This is the one weekend that I can go to a drag race and be a true fan.”

Hight said he’d love to take a test spin in a nostalgia car if the opportunity presented itself.

“Absolutely would love to, but I would have to get approval from John first,” said Hight.

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