Chapman Volkswagen's 2003 Phoenix BUG-O-RAMA
VW Trends Spent the Weekend in Arizona to Watch 'n' Catch the Action
By Stephan Szantai
Photography: Stephan Szantai
The 29th edition of the Phoenix Bug-O-Rama kicked off PRA's 2003 drag racing season on the West Coast. Many show participants took advantage of this happening to enter their freshly completed project cars as well. As the pictures will attest, there were plenty of killer rides in Phoenix, on Saturday, April 12!
Actually, this weekend of entertainment started the day before the race at Frenchy Dehoux's house, for his traditional pre-event party. Well over 100 VW enthusiasts experienced the excitement, thanks in part to a mini-car show improvised in front of casa del Frenchy! It was awesome. Bright and early on Saturday morning, promoter Rick Mortensen greeted us at the front gate. Rick belongs to a committed group of people that make our hobby so great... As the Chapman Volkswagen Bug-O-Rama's mastermind, he has also been a dedicated Volkswagen-nut for more than three decades, having owned a variety of fast Bugs over the years. But it wouldn't be fair not to mention his wife Anne, and all the fantastic friends who continue to run the different event activities during the day.
The swap meet was absolutely packed, with a record number of 164 busy vendors. In the car show area, we noticed a drop in participation of aircooled cars, although about 50 watercoolers--twice as much as last year--joined in, thanks to a bunch of new classes specifically aimed at these newer vehicles. The Best of Show trophy went to Jerry Gonzales and his painstakingly detailed '60 Cabriolet, all the way from El Paso, Texas. Closer to the track, the European Automotive-sponsored engine blow destroyed a 12-to-1 compression 1835cc motor in one minute and nine seconds. Even the magnesium case started to burn! Special mention should be made of Gino Mason, who built this flat four minus the ability of having his sight.
Close to 90 racers faced the Christmas Tree in a variety of categories, sponsored by Gene Berg Enterprises, Karl's Custom, Competition Engineering, as well as Chirco Performance & Restoration. EmCee Dyno Don Chamberlin once again did a first-rate job behind the microphone. On its first outing, the new PRA "10.90 Super Comp" class was greeted with almost a full field of participants, and brought back quite a few older Pro Stock and Super Street cars. Please check the result box included in this article for details about each and every category. And to you, Rick, Anne and all the helping crew, two thumbs up for this well-oiled extravaganza!
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Our good friend Frenchy Dehoux hosted one of his infamous parties on Friday evening. That's his '67 in the foreground, built in the traditional Cal Look style.
Vintage VW owners were once again in luck, as they obtained the prime spot on the green next to the lake.
The perfect German beer delivery Bus of Jerry Jess...which is for sale.
Out of 174 entries, Jerry Gonzales and his green 1960 Cabriolet won the tall Best of Show trophy. Watch these pages in the near future for a full article on this remarkable ground scraper.
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