The picturesque rolling hills of Santa Margarita, California, once again played host to the flathead drag races that make up the RPM Nationals. Racing took place at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, which features large pastures for the pits and an airstrip to use as the dragstrip. The race format was heads-up, with a flag start sending cars down the eighth-mile. To compete at the RPM Nationals, a vehicle must be powered by a flathead engine of any configuration, must not have a narrowed rearend, and must be built in the pre-WWII to early 1950s traditional hot rod style.
Considering that this was only the event’s second year, the RPM Nationals grew exponentially. Given the size of the pit area and time constraints, promoters Justin Baas and Russ Hare estimated they could accept 100 racers, but they were overwhelmed prior to the race with nearly 200 entries. Culling the list was no easy task.
In addition to the racing, the RPM Nationals also held a vintage Ford, hot rod, and speed parts swap meet. It, too, grew to around 30 vendors this year, selling everything from finished hot rods to compete engines, very rare speed parts, and other vintage automotive-related parts. Next to the swap meet was a car show, which also grew this year. The 50 cars that filled the show included traditional hot rods, customs, and drag cars.
The drag racing at the RPM Nationals was separated into six classes:
Some of the V8 race class cars were even running nitro. During the first session of racing all of the drag racing was in the grudge format: Line up and go! At the midpoint of the event, the racers then paired up by class and the drags were done in the traditional heads-up elimination format until a winner was crowned in each class.
The RPM Nationals is truly a step back in time. Being able to see all of these traditional-style hot rods compete against one another is quite the experience. The promoters and racers are already starting to plan next year’s event, which will be held near the end of October at the same location. Be sure to mark your calendars, and watch rpmnationals.com for more info on next year’s race. You won’t want to miss this event.
History
The Petersen Automotive Museum brought out two of the most iconic hot rods ever from its collection, not just to display but also to race. Ray Brown built the 99C roadster in 1946 when he was 17 years old, and then raced at the dry lakes in 1947. He sold the roadster in 1948, and from 1949 to 1991 it sat in dry storage until it was found and fully restored. The second roadster the museum brought was the 1929 track-nose roadster built by Bill NieKamp in 1949. This car would win the very first America’s Most Beautiful Roadster trophy at the 1950 National Roadster Show.
Crank
Russ Hare turns the crank starter on his 1916 Model T. The T has been owned by his parents since 1969 and is nicknamed Sweet 16. It was used as an announcer’s table and booth during the event.
Holding Court
Justin Baas and Russ Hare held a driver’s meeting for the 100 racers before the start of the racing activities. They went over the general rules and how the flag starts would operate. The two of them have a passion for traditional hot rodding and for keeping history alive.
Contender
The beautifully restored Eddie Dye roadster made several passes during the event. The roadster, which also competed earlier this year for the 2018 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster trophy, was restored by Jimmy White and his crew at Circle City Hot Rods. White had the honor of piloting the roadster during the event.
Mystery
Max Herman of H&H Antique, who is a very experienced antique inline-engine builder, brought out his Model T to compete. Its twin-cam HAL engine produces a very unique whirring sound as it speeds down the strip. The T, named the Marvelizer, is sponsored by Marvel Mystery Oil, which is also a sponsor of the event.
All Smiles
Participants at the RPM Nationals are encouraged, but not required, to dress in traditional racing gear. Jerry Chin from Washington gives a fine example of some the gear that would have been worn during the 1940s and 1950s.
Shakedown
With only 10 miles on his freshly built Model A roadster, Ed Corvello from Oakland, California, decided to go drag racing with it. The Weiand-headed flathead roadster made several passes throughout the day, leaving him very pleased with his build.
More History
The Model T roadster Barney Navarro originally built in 1948 was the test mule for his speed equipment and set several records at the dry lakes and Bonneville, including an A/Modified record of 146.86 mph. The roadster is now owned by Scott Perrott, and he does not baby the roadster at all. He races it like it should be raced.
Shopping Spree
The swap meet at the RPM Nationals did not disappoint. There were many vendors selling unique and rare speed parts along with other hot rod parts. There were so many parts available, a spectator could build themselves a flathead-powered hot rod to compete at next year’s RPM Nationals.
Show
The car show at the RPM Nationals was full of traditional hot rods. Many of the cars that showed up for the show were racers who didn’t make this year’s selection. They still drove their hot rods out to have a good time, watch some racing, and show support for the event.
Wrench
Around noon the event took an hour-long break so the racers could make needed repairs to their hot rods and to have some lunch. This also gave the spectators a chance to visit with the racers and do a little bench racing themselves.
Rare
Lars Mapstead brought out his recently finished ’32 roadster, which is powered by a Dryers twin-cam B motor that produced a unique sound at speed. The roadster was built by Clayton’s Hot Rods of Santa Cruz, California.
Girl Power
Several lady racers competed at the RPM Nationals, including Dana Galante in her flathead-powered Model A coupe and Rochelle Pall in her four-banger Model A roadster. Both were tough competitors.
Dust
The dragstrip’s return road was a dirt path through a cattle pasture that ran along the back side of the airstrip. A lot of the racers had some fun while returning back to the pits, kicking up rooster tails of dirt and sliding their hot rods around.
Finale
This was the last pair of hot rods down the drag strip for the 2018 RPM Nationals. The beautiful Santa Margarita Ranch provided the perfect back drop for great day of traditional hot rod drag racing.
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