Drag racing’s ultimate annual destination for nostalgia-bodied fuel Funny Car racing was happening again at fabled Auto Club Famoso Raceway.  On March 4-6th, the infamous Good Vibrations March Meet went down at the facility located in the orange groves north of Bakersfield California.

Kris Krabill (from Tacoma WA) emerged the winner of the 2016 classic riding his nitro-burning ’78 Firebird bodied car to victory in record quick fashion.

(Kris Krabill recorded the quickest nostalgia FC time in NHRA history while winning at Bakersfield).

After Krabill qualified No. 2 behind defending NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Champion Steve Densham (at 5.677 secs) he rolled to consecutive early round wins over Chris Davis and Richard Townsend. Then in the semi final round while facing No. 3 qualifier Dan Horan — he hit a blistering 5.552 seconds at 261.62 mph — for the quickest run in history.

On the other side of the ladder Steve Densham (Menifee, Calif.) qualified #1 (5.644 secs) and then ran consistent 5.60’s all weekend to make the championship round. In the final he had his best run of the weekend, at 5.640 secs but Krabill’s Austin-O’Brien Firebird which is owned and tuned by Bucky Austin proved too much with a 5.582, 256.94 mph win light.

(Defending Series Champion Steve Densham – placed 2nd)

Krabill’s victory at Bakersfield came over a very spirited field of cars which was just one car short of an all 5-secs field with the 16-car bump being at 6.023 secs.

A total of 22 cars were in attendance for the Nostalgia Nitro FC class category.

(Canada’s Tim Nemeth qualified #11 and went to the second round)

(Cory Lee was just one of 22-great cars which made qualifying attempts for the March Meet)

(Michigan’s Matt Bynum may have been the event’s biggest surprise – going to the final four in NFC eliminations!)

Posted with files by Bruce Biegler & Eric Lotz
Photos by Marc Gewertz