THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

Thanksgiving Time--Each of us knows what we have to be thankful for in our lives. Family, friends and more.

Back in 1999, when Ken and I began running the club, neither of us knew what to expect. I knew how I wanted the magazine to look (still a work in progress) and we both had dreams of one day having a GASSER Reunion sequel to Barb & Greg's GASSER Gathering that they held in St. Louis in 1999.

In 2002, that dream was realized. Ken had met Thompson Dragway owner Bill Clemson the year before and made a hand-shake deal to host our GASSER Reunion in Ohio. A lot has happened since then. The event grew, through the wet and dry years, and will move next year to a bigger venue ~ Summit Motorsports Park in nearby Norwalk, Ohio.

The staff at Thompson became part of our extended family and many of them will be at Norwalk. It'll be a reunion for all of us. In addition, the club's founders, Barb & Greg, will be there as well. We've missed them and eagerly await their smiling faces. The GASSER Legends will be there signing autographs and talking to you about their early years in drag racing.

Hotels: Check out our new interactive list of motels w/rates. Click on this link. http://www.communitywalk.com/norwalk/oh/2010_gasser_reunion%E2%84%A2/map/449280

OK, time to have my second (or is it third?) cup of coffee.

Ernest

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Friends Help Starter Start Again

Thompson, OH: TRP Starter Denny Kochever lost all his pets and possessions in a recent home fire. To know Denny is to love him. A nicer guy you won't find anywhere. Racers and friends recently stepped up with cash and more to help him through this difficult time. The club has sent shirts, Gene sent winter clothing and you can send cards, cash or whatever you wish to: Denny Kochever c/o Magic Customs, 15375 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44142.

SUNSHINE NATIONALS!

Who would have guessed that we'd have sunshine for both our 2009 GASSER events? Blue skies, cool air and hot cars made for a fun weekend. Don Moyer's Rebel Reaper and the Space Kadett are both AMC powered Gassers and both lift the front wheels on every pass. Don was in space even when his car was parked. Having your car on the event shirt means people want your autograph--something he blushingly agreed to again and again.

Club Rep Gene Catoe, and his brother Jacky, manned the club tent with their usual excellence. Everybody wants to meet Gene and check on his health. It was tough on him being there but he's a trooper (actually a retired North Carolina police officer).


Gene and Don Moyer matched raced each other. Gene was determined to give it his all, cut the light a little too close, saw red and yet still hammered the throttle. Don had the win light but he wasn't about to let up until he reached the finish line. Gene was at a disadvantage with street tires but word is that slicks are on his Christmas wish list.

Oh yeah, I got to make a pass in Gene's coupe. When the rear started to move sideways, I lightened up on the throttle and made sure I returned his coupe in one piece. It was my first experience in a nose-up Willys on the quarter mile. Visibility is less than I'd like but I'd do it again in a second.

Still working on the 2009 GASSER Reunion DVD...orders are piling up, so back to work I go.

Ernest

GASSER Reunion '09 Report

WOW! If you were at the 8th Annual GASSER Reunion, you know what I mean. If you weren't there, you'll hear about it from your friends who did attend. It was an amazing event. Three days of sunshine, twice last year's car count and thousands more spectators. Whether it was the weather, the track-record of seven great years behind us or something else, the result was undeniable. It was the biggest GASSER Reunion ever!

My thanks to the East Coast Gassers for their participation as well as the 409 and Stick Shift groups. We couldn't have done it without you. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you.

The Mallicoat twins, Gary & Jerry, were this year's Grand Marshalls, and rightly so. They apologized for not having their restored coupe at the event but will do the best to get it done for the next Reunion. With or without a car, they're two of the nicest GASSER Legends you'll ever meet.

Speaking of Legends, Bones Balogh and George Montgomery spent the weekend signing autographs for their many fans. Sadly, Chuck Finders passed away a few weeks ago. Chuck loved the event and was a faithful attendee. He will be missed.

The S&S Racing Team was on hand and Fred Bear wow'd the crowd with passes in his car and others. Fred and guys like Bones Balogh are still active competitors after all these years. As Big John Mazmanian once said, "Don't let the white hair fool you."

I'm working on the next issue and the 2009 GASSER Reunion DVD. Now's the time to get your Swap Meet ads, GASSER Gossip pictures/words and car articles to me if you want them in the next issue.

Thanks! Ernest