Fast Times at the Redding Dragstrip

need for speed

FAST T I M E S AT T H E R E D D I N G D R AG ST R I P

KOOL APRIL NITES and the Redding Dragstrip are a match made in hot rod heaven.

The car show, one of the biggest on the west coast and now in its 31st year, brings the classics and cruisers to town; the Redding Dragstrip, the oldest continuously operated National Hot Rod Association dragstrip in the country, gives those cars and drivers a way to safely satisfy that need for speed. “For the dragstrip, Kool April Nites is a huge deal,” says Shirlene Bransom, head of the nonprofit incorporated to operate the track. “We have people who come to race and they bring their hot rods to get in the show, too. We feel it’s a huge benefit to the community if we work together.” Kool April Nites week at the dragstrip begins with an afternoon show and shine car show on Wednesday, April 22, followed by racing at 6 pm. Last year’s show attracted 4 continued on page 32

more than 80 cars; this year, with a fully paved access road, Bramson says a lot more car buffs will be bringing their prized possessions to compete for various trophies and plaques.

Friday and Saturday are the big show nights with jetpowered dragsters, Funny Cars (exaggerated stock cars that burn an intoxicating brew of nitromethane and methanol), wheel-standers, an Ocho Loco grudge race and bracket racing (sportsman, pro, super pro and motorcycles) “for big bucks,” Bramson says. The weekend shows attract crowds of between 4,000 and 5,000, she adds.

While Bramson and the other dragstrip volunteers prepare for the Kool April Nites fun, they’re mindful of the fact that the throaty engine roars, checkered flags and cheering crowds would be absent if Bramson hadn’t stepped in to save the day in 2014.

The dragstrip, located just east of Redding Municipal Airport, belongs to the city of Redding. Its former operator, the late Bob Lidell, informed the city that 2013 would be his last year running the track. After Lidell’s death, negotiations for a new operating group sputtered and the city prepared to shutter the dragstrip.

That prospect did not sit well with Bramson, who enjoyed racing her ’56 Chevy and cheering on her two sons,4 continued on page 34

“I was so adamant about not letting it close for a year because I just knew it would not open again. That’s just the way those things seem to go,” Bramson says.

Investment products:

CRPC® is a registered service mark ofThe College for Financial Planning.

ARRNFT7Q | AD-02-20-0213 | 471003PM- 0519 | 02/2020

Sacramento River House WEDDING VENUE

~ Includes furnished home which sleeps 10

~ Beautiful trellis area for the ceremony

~ Large shaded yard for outdoor events

~ 48’ x 42’ barn for indoor events

~ Located on 14 acres in Anderson, CA, along the beautiful Sacramento River

Scott Swendiman, 530-524-4106 Scottswendiman@gmail.com www.sacramentoriverhouse.com

Austin and Jake, who are avid drag racers as well. “I was so adamant about not letting it close for a year because I just knew it would not open again. That’s just the way those things seem to go,” Bramson says.

Instead, she established Redding Dragstrip Inc., had it registered as a nonprofit corporation, and received the Redding City Council’s blessing to keep the dragstrip open. “I thought it would be for one year and now I’m going on my seventh year,” she says.

Business at the dragstrip has doubled over that period, helped along by improvements like the paved entry road, new grandstands and a revamped snack bar that’s the new home for the iconic Gene’s Hamburgers sign. Restoration of the neon landmark was donated by McHale Sign Co., and Mike Nash, the former Gene’s owner, was kind enough to share the family recipes to ensure that authentic Gene burgers are available at the dragstrip.

Paul Warner, who credits Bramson with transforming the dragstrip “from a strip of asphalt with weeds into a quality facility,” is happy the track is still home for his extended family of drag racers. Warner, 78, picked up the drag racing bug in 1997 and soon had his sons, Eric and Gary, racing along with their children. “It’s a family of racers out there,” Warner says of the dragstrip scene. “There has been a lot of us for several years. We appreciate each other. It’s not super competitive. We go to enjoy the sport; to go fast safely.”

Warner currently races a ’73 Nova, the latest in a string of more than a dozen race cars, but says he’s made some concessions due to his senior status. His top speeds these days are 115 mph, down from the 150-mph marks in the past. “That’s fast enough.”

The youth movement is a big part of the Redding Dragstrip, Bramson says, with kids as young as 5 getting a start in the Junior Dragster program and free Saturday night racing for high school-aged drivers. “I love to see them out there and not out on Clear Creek Road,” says Warner of the Street Legal program. Teenagers develop confidence, learn to rely on their skills and pick up some valuable automotive knowhow, Warner adds. “I worry about high school kids who are not even able to change a tire.”•

Redding Dragstrip 6750 Old Oregon Trail, Redding (530) 215-3003 www.reddingdragstrip.info Find them on Facebook

Jon Lewis is a Redding-based writer with 37 years of experience. A longtime San Francisco Giants fan, his interests include golf, fishing and sharing stories about people, places and things. He can be reached at jonpaullewis@gmail.com.

Savor 5 5 l THE ENJOY A TASTE OF THE NORTH STATE f l a v o r

1777 Market Street, Redding Mon-Sun 11am-10pm (530) 241-1777 Find them on Facebook Search Market Street Blade & Barrel Market Street Blade & Barrel, formerly Market Street Steakhouse, is a family owned establishment serving some of the best food and libations that Redding has to offer. Happy Hour starts at 3pm for small bites and great drinks! Dinner service begins at 5pm. They have a rotating dinner menu and revamped lunch menu.

2475 Eureka Way, Redding Mon- Sun 11am- 8pm (530) 768-1333 Find them on Facebook Search Anthony’s Mediterranean Cuisine Open 11-8 daily, Anthony’s on Eureka Way serves authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Wednesday is Gyro Wednesday at Anthony’s or their other two locations: Xander’s at 2180 Churn Creek or the Greek Shack at 1100 Hartnell, where you can enjoy the best gyros in the North State all day long for $5.99.

1701 California St., Redding Mon- Sun 9am- 10pm (530) 605-0724 Find them on Facebook Search Raliberto’s Now open, their 8th North State location is next to Enjoy the Store on California Street. Great Fresh Mex. Raliberto’s is thankful for the communities that support them. Other locations include Chico, Anderson, Crescent City, Eureka and Weaverville. Open every day. Call ahead for take out.

1177 Shasta St., Redding Sun-Th 11am-9pm / Fri-Sat 11am-10pm (530) 247-1110 maryspizzashack.com Old school hospitality. Mary’s Pizza Shack is celebrating its 7th year in Redding. This local downtown favorite offers 18 selfserve craft beers, outdoor patio and a warm family environment. Happy Hour is 3-6pm Monday through Friday.

Love Doves Water Bottle What a refreshing way to add a touch of Brighton to your day! Our Love Doves Water Bottle features exclusive artwork from designer Tom Clancy and will quench your thirst for fashion! Yours FREE with a single, same-day instore Brighton purchase of $100.00 or more.

1322 Pine Street • Redding • 530.247.1292

ORGANIC-PILATES.COM ORGANICPILATES_REDDING 169 LOCUST STREET CYPRESS SQUARE, REDDING

Evening classes now available.

START WITH A STROLL... feel better together...play and walk outside join fun walking challenges, find trail maps and walking group information at healthyshastawalks.org