September 2022 • By Tony Thacker •  Presented by H&H Flatheads

No doubt, the RPM Nationals Flathead Drags, organized by Justin Bass and Russ Hare is one of our favorite events. Billed as a drag race for pre-1936 flathead V-8 and 4-cylinder hot rods and racecars, it’s held at Santa Margarita Ranch located some 100 miles north of Santa Barbara and 200 miles north of Los Angeles and attracts people from as far away as Denmark and Germany, maybe further.     

This year—post pandemic—there was the strongest entry ever and what was obvious, because of the lack of smokey tires, was racers getting to grips with the track and the business of going fast over the 1/8-mile. The racing was fast and furious but everybody was wearing a smile win or lose and that made for a very enjoyable event.

The other obvious fact was the diversity of the participants with lots of female racers and a wide range of ages proving you are neither never to old nor never too young to get behind the wheel and burn some fossil fuel while we still can.

The RPM Nationals Flathead Drags is sponsored by sponsored by Anson Axles, American Hot Rod Foundation, Baron Racing Equipment, BB Concrete Construction, CW Moss, Early Speed Co., H&H Antique, Hop Up Magazine, Madson, Red’s Headers, SBS Construction and Souza Construction.

And the winners were:

• Full race flathead V-8: Josh Carrillo

• Flathead modified street: Brandon Flaner (driving Paul Ensele’s coupe)

• Flathead street: Rich Roberts

• Full race 4cyl - Max Herman

• 4cyl modified street- Joe Rodriguez

• 4cyl street: David Wheeler

If you want to learn more visit RPMNationals.com