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Gualala Arts
Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961.
Archive of past events: 2004 through 2014
Sid Waterman Classic Auto and Art Show
Exhibit: Friday, July 9 through August 1, 2010 This summer's Sid Waterman Classic Auto and Art Show promises to surpass last year's highly successful inaugural show that featured the work of Gualala Arts patron and renowned hot rod illustrator Rex Burnett. The emphasis will be on the machines, equipment, art and products from Gualala's fabled Waterman Racing Components facility.
A recreated top fuel dragster that broke the 200 mph barrier in the quarter-mile in 1964 is the featured centerpiece of this year's Sid Waterman Classic Auto and Art Show from 10:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, July 17. Now living in Apple Valley, Ronny Hampshire, of Race Car Specialists, constructed the sling shot dragster's body. It had an innovative "legs under" design to protect the driver after an earlier car crash at Pomona severely broke both legs of the driver. Sid Waterman, owner of Waterman Racing Components, assembled the 1958 392 cubic inch Chrysler hemi engine. When the car ran in 1960 at the Long Beach Lion Track Strip it completed the quarter-mile in 7.57 seconds and clocked out at 200.4 mph. It was ranked eighth on the National Eliminator List. The original car was shipped to Australia, underwent a number of modifications and became lost, but Ronny never forgot it. When Sid met him at Sears Point several years ago, Ronnie proposed reconstructing the original car. After Ronnie completed the chassis, Sid had to build the engine. The project took three years to complete. To insure accuracy, Hampshire dug out old photos and carefully measured each detail. He sunk $10,000 and countless hours on a national scavenger hunt to find original parts. Waterman has put in another $10,000 and an equal amount of time on the engine. The result is a mechanical artistic masterpiece, 100% recreated by the original builders. At this year's Pomona Winter Nationals, coincidentally the fiftieth year for that event, the dragster was unveiled and fired up. Both men will be on hand to start the car once again at the show and at Bones Restaurant the night before the event.
Once again the highlight of the month-long show that opens July 9 and runs through August 1 will be the Gualala Arts Auto Show on Saturday, July 17. Car enthusiasts, both local and statewide, will gather in the Arts Center parking lot to show off their vehicles that will be judged in eleven categories, antique auto to racecar and motorcycle. Hopefully, some gems hidden away in local barns will be included. The exhibit will feature the craftsmanship of Waterman Racing Components, the business built by Sid Waterman in Gualala into a national racing powerhouse with satellite facilities at Indianapolis' Gasoline Alley and in Concord, North Carolina, the heart of NASCAR country. Every Indianapolis 500 winner since 1994 has run with a Waterman fuel pump. Photos, art work, products, mechanical drawings, and more will provide a glimpse into what makes a championship vehicle run whether it is an IRL Indy car, a NHRA hot rod, a NASCAR racer, or a USAC champ car, sprint car, or midget. A featured exhibit is Sid's recreation of a top fuel dragster that set national records fifty years ago. This nostalgia car was lovingly recreated and fired up at last year's Pomona Winter Nationals. This auto show was extremely well received last year and once again street rod buffs will fill Highway 1 for the run to Gualala. The event promises to become a permanent "happening." Only 100 entries will be accepted and slots are filling rapidly.
The entry form is available online and at the Gualala Arts Center office. Special Early Bird registration until July 5 includes $70 of merchandise for the $35 fee. Prices go up to $40 for regular registration and to $50 day of show with no shirt included. Not only does this event promote local industry and showcase the art involved in designing and building a vehicle, but it also allows the masterpieces that are created to be displayed publicly and provides a welcome boost to the local economy. It is another example of defining art inclusively for all the community.
2010 Gualala Arts Auto Show Awards Sponsors
The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA, |
