Yorba Linda, CA
Dec 2, ‘12
Story and Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz

 

The Sunday event capped a four day coast-to-coast trek for Force who on Thursday morning was part of the 25th annual PRI breakfast with SPEED TV’s Dave Despain. Sandwiched between the PRI Show and the John Force Holiday Car Show was an appearance at the LA Auto Show on Saturday night.

The 15th Annual John Force Holiday Show was a success even if the weather did not cooperate. Intermittent rain showers dampened some cars but not the spirits of the thousands of fans who turned out on Sunday. Over 500 hot rods and specialty cars braved the questionable weather. By 11:00 the spectators had swelled to well over 7,000! For many years this has been THE most popular Christmas show for hot rodders in So Cal. Cars came from as far away as northern California, and Arizona. Every type of classic vehicle was represented including landspeed cars, drag racers, dirt track racers, custom cars, street rods, muscle cars, custom pickups, exoctics, and vintage trailers. Some of the notable people on-hand were John Force, Ashley Force Hood, Brittany, Courtney, Funny Car driver Robert Hight, 2012 Funny Car Champ “Fast” Jack Beckman, Cory McClenathan, Genevieve Chappell, and Tom McEwen to name just a few. 2 bands and Santa entertained all day.

As the show drew to a close, we marveled at all the toys donated to the CHP “ChiPs for Kids” toy drive. Thanks to the show sponsors, Auto Club of Southern California – SYSTEM 51 Wax Products – CBS-TV2 & KCAL-TV9 – General Outdoors – IN & OUT Burgers – So Cal Car Culture. The 60+ award winning cars were announced in front of the spectators and everyone was on the way home by 4:30.

Thanks for the Show!
 

Car Images Album 1: The event logo.	Toys were donated to the California Highway Patrol’s “CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive”.	Craig Hoelzel is “Da Man” in charge
This is where we were.	Fire trucks all always part of this show	This 940ci Sonny Leonard motor produces 1,702hp on 91 octane pump gas! It’s mounted in a well crafted tubular chassis
		David Traitel and his TKO crew from Reno, NV. have a very nice work-in-progress ’71 Chevy Nova.
Bet you didn’t guess this was a ’39 Graham sedan. Interesting tail light location. Owner Kenny Naucler is from Riverside.
	Check out those unique headlights! It was referred to as a “Shark Nose Graham”.	This beautiful, Olds powered, ’49 Olds 88 is from Murrieta. Gil Losi is the owner.
		This sharp original ’58 Olds 98 is equipped with a portable radio and a continental kit. The owner is Borje Forslund of Yorba Linda.
This mildly customized ’55 Ford Customline with Caddy covers belongs to Joel Rallo from Huntington Beach.	This very clean, numbers matching ’67 Chevy Nova belongs to Gil Caton from Costa Mesa, CA.
Elaine & Rod Byrd from Frazier Park got an award for their rare ’47 Studebaker M5 pickup.		This award winning ’55 Ford Crown Victoria belongs to Dick Debin from Glendora, CA.
This very inviting ’52 Royal Spartanette 35’ owned by Mike & Desiree Marinis	Paul Tossonian brought his original 396 powered ’70 Chevy Chevelle from Corona, CA.
	A chauffeured ’31 Lincoln Town Car owned by Vince Scully. (not the announcer)
	Woodies were the featured car this year.	A clean ’48 Ford Woodie. The owner is Mickey Christiason of Cerritos, CA.
	This perfect ’46 Ford Woodie won a trophy for owner Jim Kipp of Canyon Lake, CA.
Now there is a race truck!	Top Fuel dragster pilot Cory McClenathan walking around with the kids.	“Cruisin’ for a Cure” organizer Debbie Baker shows how she plows the fields in Lake Forest
Jay Leno’s “Tank Car” arrives.	Turbo guru Gale Banks (black shirt & hat) explains how he turbo’d the “Tank Car”.
Nostalgia Funny Cars		Lunch was provided by In-N-Out.
“Chipper” was helping with the California Highway Patrol’s “CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive”.	Mr. & Mrs. Clause where available for the kids.	The “ChiP’s For Kids” toy drive is looking great!
	The 60+ award winning cars were announced, and model Genevieve Chappell helped presenting.
Lots of vendors were there		More cars
		Scenes from the event.
		At the autograph table: (L-R) Top Fuel dragster pilot Cory McClenathan, 2012 Funny Car Champion “Fast” Jack Beckman, Tom “Mongoose” McEwen.
Force Team Funny Car driver Robert Hight.	Force Team driver Brittany Force (L) & team member Ashley Force Hood.	Rookie of the year, Force Team Funny Car driver Courtney Force
The man himself, John Force.