Hours before sunrise, outside of the gates over 1,500+ hot rods, rat rods, lead sleds, customs, low-riders, vans and motorcycles began lining up along Live Oak Ave.  Participants and spectators sat in their idling rides with their heaters on trying to stay warm from morning’s winter cold.  

The gates opened at 6:00 AM for the event.  More than 118 vendors were busy inside the venue making final assembly of their booths in preparation for displaying their cool car culture swag and hardware. As the gates opened 60+ Mooneyes  X-Mas Party staff did a great job directing the cars into the massive Irwindale Raceway parking lot where they were guided to their parking spaces. At 10:00 the gates had to be closed as Irwindale Event Center was full!!  A total of 15,000+ spectators visited the event.

Yes it’s true, The Irwindale Event Center will have new management after January 2018 and the exciting racing may be extended well passed the next 2 years!

This event is a wonderful mixture of the many cultures that make up Southern California.  It’s also something of a generational bridge bringing  together traditional older hot rodders with younger guys who are putting their own spin on the custom car. So while you’ll see some rat rods, the majority of cars in the parking lot are made by guys too young to have been around when hot rodding was getting started.

Soon the cold December morning gave way to the warm sun and blue skies greeted show goers, many dressed in their Christmas and lifestyle swag.  The smell of fresh carne asada and tri-tip being cooked on the BBQ’s filled the morning air.  A festive spirit set the stage for another Mooneyes X-mas Party to begin with its Von Dutch/Big Daddy Roth renaissance flare.  Five live bands played all day, The Delta Bombers, Colony Boys, Gamblers Mark, Hot Rod Trio, and the Dynotones!

This event is a wonderful mixture of the many cultures that make up Southern California

The Irwindale 1/8-mile drag strip was packed with eager spectators for the first of 2 sessions to allow all the 150+ contestants to have many side-by-side runs.  At 3:00, after the Pin Up contest and trophies were presented, the event ended.

The people made this show, and they came out with all their imagination, creativity, ingenuity, attitude, and style for all to enjoy.  Thanks to Shige Suganuma and Chico Kodama of Mooneyes for hosting this special event and carrying on the Moon legacy.

Thanks for the Show!!

The Irwindale 1/8-mile drag strip was packed with eager spectators…

An interesting array of race cars

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