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Southern California
Pro Gas Association

at Auto Club Dragway at Calif. Speedway
01-25-09
Story and Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz

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Roger

Back in 1978 the original Southern California Pro Gas Association Board of Directors consisted of Bill Jacques, Fergie Fergison, Steve Baraer, Larry Bradshaw, Dennis Bressett, Rick Webb, Jim Parrish, and Fred Taylor. It was created for drag racers with cars that fit in a specific category of performance. Some of the notable people that have had a hand in the early days of Southern California Pro Gas are, Fred Taylor, Reggie Jackson, Bernie Partridge, Doug Marion, Lenny Cormier, and Dave Wallace. The years 1979 & 1980 saw Lenny Cormier step 

up to sponsor two events each year. He wanted one on Memorial Day and one on Labor Day. Those 3-day weekends and a $3000. winners purse drew racers from almost every state. A very interesting fact is that out of the 31 SoCalProGas Champions 27 have been competing in the Association from the beginning!

Over the years this family oriented organization has helped keep the Super Gas class alive in the NHRA. With over 150 members they will have 10 races at So Cal tracks this year. The first 2 were at the Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway in Fontana, CA. Sponsored by Harris Family Motorsports it was called the Russ Harris Memorial Pro Gas Nationals. Saturday night their Awards Banquet was held at the California Speedway. Last years champion Pete Bothe was crowned 2008 Champion.

 After 5 rounds of eliminations on Sunday the 52 car field was down to the Final between the unique ’51 Henry J of Glen Smith in the right lane beating the sharp ’63 Topless Corvette of Randy Balough in the left lane.

  As in all forms of racing sponsors are critical, here are some that really help out with this Association, Cordiero Family Motorsports, Clay Smith Engineering, Edelbrock, K&N Engineering, Lucas Oil, King's Hawaiian Bread, Wayne & Dave's Automotive, Mike's Transmissions, Hughes Performance and Meziere Enterprises.

  For more information please contact: www.SoCalProGas.com. For more information on Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway in Fontana, CA. contact; www.californiaspeedway.com .

Click on Photos to Enlarge

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The cake at the Awards Banquet celebrates 2008 as the Association’s 30th year.

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Saturday night the Awards Banquet was held at the California Speedway.  All the food was brought by the Association members.

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Pete Bothe was crowned Pro-Gas Association 2008 Champion. This is only the second time in Association history of back to back winners.

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2008 Champion Pete Bothe from Long Beach, CA. launches his Chevy powered ‘78 Porsche. Pete is a longtime Pro-Gas member

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The current Pro-Gas Association President Greg Ventura stands by the door of his 600 cu in Chevy powered ’66 Nova.

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Randy Fabbro with his 454 cu in ’72 Ford Pinto “Chick Magnet” have both been in the Association from the beginning!

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Dave Carroll from Santa Barbara, CA and his sharp ’54 Corvette have both been in the Association from the beginning!

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Past Association President Ray Cordeiro is another member of over 25 years.

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Another 25+ year member Larry Scarth prepares his ’67 Corvette for another run.

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Pete Jimenez launches his rare ’80 Chevy powered Monza with the wheels up.

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On the track, the current Pro-Gas Association President Greg Ventura is a tough competitor.

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Both Doug Sedmak and his race car are longtime Pro-Gas Association members.

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One of the newer members is Kevin McClelland, son of the famous “Tuna Tank” driver Dave McClelland.

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Randy Balough was runner-up in the Final on Sunday.

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After 5 rounds of eliminations on Sunday the 52 car field was down to the Final between the unique ’51 Henry J of Glen Smith in the right lane beating the sharp ’63 Topless Corvette of Randy Balough in the left lane.

 

 

 

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