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I spent the last year readying my Roadster for the 2008 Goodguys Indy event in Indianapolis Indiana. I basically gave it a makeover by replacing some of the street rod parts with Hot Rod stuff. This includes a vintage set of American magnesium five spokes that I spent the last six months restoring. Originally, I had planned on driving the Roadster with a few other “good-guys” from California. However, I was given excellent advice from the guy coordinating the cross-country trip. He told me that I needed to beg, borrow or steal a set of radials. I agreed, but before I could find some, I was told they “all” were NOT going. Bummer L
However, I refused to give-up and I wasn’t “feeling” the radials. I knew that radials were not going to look right with the circa 1964 look of my Roadster. So, I was lucky enough to borrow a close friend’s 4X4 and his open-flatbed trailer. It was too bad those guys from California were not going, because I thought I could still go and I could be their “support vehicle” if they had any problems. So, it was just me east bound and down heading for INDY!
Four days later I am having a blast. I was able to take a lap around the INDY 500 track, I raced and won on the drag strip, I cruised Indiana with more than twenty other hot rodders and I was blessed with a Top Five finish in the Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year competition.
I was sad to learn that those guys from California all drove down to Indy anyways. However, I met and hung out with a great bunch of guys from Ohio. Larry Brunkala, last years Goodguys HROY winner, even helped me cover my roadster in the parking lot after we both drove our rides in the worst storm that Indiana has seen since 1913. I was drenched! That guy is a class act! I would like to thank all those Ohio guys for taking me under their wings. There certainly is “NOT” an east coast west coast rivalry when it comes to hot rodding. Enjoy the pictures! Brian Basquez, Sacramento Ca.
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