The action started out in late October with the Hot VW's Drag Day Bug In at Irwindale Dragstrip. AJ Nocita was scheduled to drive the GNP - WR Racing VW Manx, but a schedule conflict gave Pete Selders a chance to get back behind the wheel. After several months off while waiting for his new engine to be built for his '67 turbo'd bug, Pete made the most of it with an impressive showing and consistent runs which took him three rounds of racing before a red light took him out of competition. It was great to have Pete back on the track.
Don Weberg of Garage Style Magazine was out in late October for a photo shoot for an upcoming issue of GSM. We were very honored to have Don out to do the pictures and enjoyed spending time with him and being a part of this unique publication. It's scheduled to hit the stands sometime mid 2009. We'll keep you posted on the date as it gets closer.
One of our favorite events of the year is the high school career day activities put on by the LA County School District. It was held the Wednesday before the World Finals at Pomona. We were invited back again this year to make an exhibition run and had a blast. There were over 10,000 high school kids there and the place was energized to say the least. The temperature was a little hotter than we expected so our performance fell off a bit, but Erica made a great run posting a 10.0 e.t. @ 145 mph. What made it such an astonishing run was the fact that she had the stomach flu and was still able to put together an almost perfect pass. She didn't tell us she was sick until AFTER the run because she didn't want to miss anything. Erica, we need to talk!
On Wednesday night, November 12th, we had the privilege of hosting a small tour group from the UK led by organizer and tour guide Robin Jackson of Blue Prints for Travel. Sharing our love for the sport of drag racing with fans from around the world is something very special. We really enjoyed hosting the dinner for them at the shop and getting to know them. It was also great having Tony Thacker, director of the NHRA Museum, join us and share his insights with our group. We ran into the gang during the four days at the races and they were having a blast! Glad you could come across the pond for a little drag racing, Pomona style!
It was then over to the GM Performance Parts booth where the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Cobalt was on display for the entire four days of the World Finals. It was great seeing so many of our friends and people who have supported us over the years. There were fans around the car the whole weekend and we really enjoyed making some new friends, bench racing, and enjoying the racing. Also, thanks to all of our friends at BG Oil Products, Barney's and The Only Place in Town, Chicago Title Insurance, Chris Shevlin and Avcomm Racing. You guys rock!
Lastly, I mentioned last month about our daughter Kimberly playing a lead part in the play "Gypsy" at a theater in West Covina. The show closed in mid October after receiving great reviews and almost selling out every performance. If you missed Kimberly in "Gypsy," you'll have another chance to see her in the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." Check out this link for more information. Hope to see you there!
Pete...lovin' life back behind the wheel.
Jim Behrens, Pete and "Pato" in deep discussion.
That's always dangerous!
Here's a shot of Kimberly during one of her numbers
from "Gypsy" where she played Gypsy's sister,
Dainty June. The show closed mid October and
received great reviews. Awesome job, Kim!
The GNP Cobalt lookin' good for the Garage
Style Magazine photo shoot. We'll see the pics
in 2009.
There's even a lot of paper work in drag racing.
Erica, filling out her tech card for Wednesday's
exhibition run at Pomona.
Just another day at the office for "Pato".
Some of the other cars that made runs on Wednesday.
Five or six of the entries were built and driven by the students
from local high schools. Pretty cool.
There were A LOT of kids there.....
She didn't look sick....
Ready to rock and roll....
From l to r, Tony Thacker from the NHRA Museum,
two photographers from the UK, and Robin Jackson
with Blue Prints for Travel and leader of the group.
The Only Place in Town of Sierra Madre put on
a wonderful spread for our friends from England.
....ready for some racin'....
Erica with her GM teammate and Pro Stock driver
Dave Connolly. Dave also drove a car in Comp Eliminator.
Enjoying the sunshine at Pomona...and there was
plenty of it! Robin and the UK gang!
Another new friend, Ed, down from northern
California. Life is good.
There were people, young and old around the
Cobalt the entire weekend. We really enjoyed
making some new friends and talking with so many
GM Racing Cobalt fans.
Erica and "B"...if she's not driving, her favorite
thing to do is to watch drag racing with Brian.
With fires all around the area, they produced some
amazing sunsets.
Erica and teammate Greg Anderson, driver of the
Erica and teammate Greg Anderson, driver of the
Summit Racing Pro Stock Pontiac.
God Bless America!
