Posts by Insider:
- Arrive early! The best time to get autographs and enjoy the pits (not to mention finding some prime parking) is before the racing starts.
- While wandering the pits, feel free to chit-chat with people like you know what you’re doing. “Hey, did you see John Force’s qualifying run last week?” Simple statements like that make you seem much more knowledgeable than you are.
- Before walking up to a driver to get his autograph, make sure you know his (o her) name. Their faces are huge on the sides of their trailers and their names are always there too. You have no excuses for not knowing who Brandon Bernstein is when his face is plastered about 12 feet high.
- Now this is one decision you get to make: Do you buy a t-shirt or just ask the drivers to sign the cards they provide? If you buy the t-shirt, be sure to put it on so they can sign your back (this is the ultimate in pit groupie cool).
- Find a good spot to sit. Now, depending on which tickets you purchased, you may have a reserved seat or you may not. If you do, come and go as you please, but if you don’t, you are going to need to camp out in your spot for quite some time.
- Earlier, I mentioned Brandon Bernstein. If you do see him, wish him luck in his new ventures. Budweiser is pulling out of NHRA at the end of these races, and he has found a great new team.
- Drink water and wear sun-block! You are sitting outside all day. I don’t care if it is overcast, the UV rays still come through and you can still get dehydrated (sunstroke is definitely not pit groupie cool).
- And, the most important one…HAVE FUN! The Drags only come twice a year and they can be a great experience.
Hanging with the BIG Boys at NHRA Drags
November 13th, 2009
WOW, I just went on a mini tour of the Auto Club NHRA Finals and I can safely say that I will never look at the Drag racing the same again! First, I walked through an area known as THE PITS there I saw and heard the loudest most amazing looking drag cars and motorbikes I have ever seen in my life. Even better, I saw how some of the beast machines were built and fixed up to beat the competition.
Then I made my way to the Sky Boxes, where only the VIPs sit and enjoy an exclusive crystal clear view of the drag races and the entire event! It’s a great place to catch a photo like the one posted at the bottom.
After my trip to the Sky Boxes, I found myself at the Staging Area. There I saw what looked like a pack of drag cars waiting impatiently to be driven at Full Throttle™ . It’s a great opportunity to check out the drag cars up close and see the hard work that is being put into these astonishing machines.
Continuing my journey, I made my way on over to the Top Eliminators Club, where food from the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel was served and eaten by me (in my mind).
After this awesome mini tour, drag racing at the Auto Club NHRA Finals will never be the same for me. It’s one thing to sit on the bleachers and watch the drag races. It’s a whole other experience to see them when you’re high–like up on the skyboxes, rolling with the big guys.
Do the Drags Right
November 13th, 2009Looking for a different experience this weekend? Check out the Auto Club NHRA Finals right here at Fairplex. Now for a step-by-step guide to looking like a die-hard fan this weekend.
If you follow all my steps you are sure to have a great weekend! The Auto Club NHRA Finals run now through Sunday at Fairplex.
All Aboard for Southwest Garden Railroad Show
October 30th, 2009
The small world of garden railroads is a hobby the whole family can enjoy. Everything you need is at this show, including tools, parts, clinics and authentic railroad items, along with dioramas and displays. You’ll meet some nice garden railroad enthusiasts who will be happy to help you get started. The Fairplex Garden Railroad operates during the show. Saturday, Oct. 31-Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission $10; age 16 and under are free.
Flat Track Motorcycle Races Sat. at Fairplex
October 22nd, 2009
AMA/Gene Romero Grand National Flat Track Championship is ON for Saturday, Oct. 24 in the Grandstand infield. This is the deciding race for AMA Champion and it’s the first time in 10 years that AMA’s Pro Grand National Twin Flat Track Series has come to So Cal. Buy tickets online, at local Harley dealerships or the Fairplex box office on the 24th. Gates open and practice starts at 3:30 p.m.; first race at 6:30 p.m. Admission $10-$40; ages 5 and under free.
Harley Davidson lovers and the charities they support hope that California Bike Week and Love Ride 26, brought down by the economy, will return next year to carry on their 25-year tradition.
Rockin’ Roller Derby at Fairplex
October 21st, 2009
The newly released movie, Whip It, has put a well-deserved spotlight on the fast-action sport of roller derby. Saturday, Oct. 24, the Los Angeles FireBirds will take on Mizz Georgia Hase’s Brooklyn RedDevils in banked track roller derby up-close and live in Fairplex 10 at 8 p.m.
This is some crazy kind of fun. “What makes ‘Whip It’ a blast is the action in the rink,” said Betsy Sharkey in the Los Angeles Times. Even mild-mannered Alex Cohen, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered” becomes “Axles of Evil” roller-derby girl by night. She is a champion of the sport, which began in Depression-era America, and was tapped to teach “Whip It” stars the basics.
Fairplex 10
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m.
Ticket hotline: (800) 838-3006 or
Order tickets online [Tip: buy tickets in advance. General admission is half price; VIP is $5 off]
Firetruck Fun
February 26th, 2009Fire snorkels, brush fire rigs, bull dozers and a 1800s’ Fire Steamer will roll 
into Fairplex Friday and Saturday for the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America’s winter conference. A display of fire apparatus will be in the NHRA Museum parking lot on McKinley Avenue. It’s free and open to the public (parking is $9 in the Gate 1 parking lot).
SPAAMFAA is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration and operation of antique fire fighting apparatus. Founded in New York in 1958, SPAAMFAA has grown to 56 chapters nationwide and in Canada, with a membership in excess of 3,800 Worldwide. The Southern California chapter, the Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts, is hosting the Fairplex event.
“This is a great event for anyone who enjoys fire trucks and coaches. It’s a great show for youngsters and their families,” said Ron Dierkens, CFE president.
More than 100 coaches and trucks will be on display Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday is Wildland Fire Apparatus Day with a large display of wildland fire fighting apparatus, including brush engines, brush patrols, water tenders (known in most other states as tankers), dozers and their transports, crew trucks and more. On Saturday, the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum will be bringing SQUAD 51, as well as both the 1966 Crown ENGINE 51 and the 1973 Ward-La France ENGINE 51 from the TV Show “Emergency!”
Recession-proof Fun at Pomona RV Show
February 25th, 2009Well, with this recession people aren’t exactly looking at the housing market, but how about a house on wheels? That’s right, 
an RV, Toy-Hauler, Camper, Trailer, 5th Wheel or whatever you want to call it! Although some of them are going to cost you more than that 3-bedroom house you have had your eye on, you can find some affordable fun at this year’s Pomona RV Show! Speaking from experience, one of the greatest joys a kid can have is just sitting on a picnic bench in the middle of a forest with no one but your mom, dad, trusty dog and tough ol’ RV. How about those of you reaching those long sought after
“golden years?” Retirement is coming and it’s never too early to start looking around to get an idea of what you want to travel the country in. The Pomona RV Show has a home abroad for everyone, so come down and check it out. Looking for another plus? It’s free! So, have fun checking out all the cool new RVs and have a free afternoon of delight!
March 7 & 8, 2009
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Everything for Kids at the L.A. Kids Expo at Fairplex
February 18th, 2009
This all new event at the ‘plex promises to be like, totally fun for moms and dads, babies, toddlers and children. There’s an American Girl giveaway, jumpies and train rides, resources on homeschooling, child care and camps, bowling for tots, wall climbing, a diaper derby race, magic show, science experiments, baby animals. . . you name it, the L.A. Kids Expo probably has it. Giveaways rule the day at the Expo: Nintendo Wii’s, shopping sprees, a Go Mama Go crib, vacations and more.
Best of all, if you go to the Kids Expo website and print the flyer, you can get a 2-for-1 admission price!
Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 21-22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Adults: $9
Kids age 5 – 12: $3
Kids under 5: Free
Three Fairplex Events Kick Off 2009
December 17th, 2008We’re only taking a small break for the holidays. Then’ll we’ll kick start the New Year with three fun shows. The Tattoo & Body Art Expo, a long-time Fairplex fave, will hit Fairplex 9 Friday, Jan. 2 through Sunday, Jan. 4. Ok, there’s no question that body art and tattoos aren’t for everyone. But truly, this phenomenon is no longer the exclusive domain of bikers. Just ask any college kid you know. If their parents aren’t around, many of them will probably have at least one “tat” to show you.Even if you’re only thinking about a tat, this is the place to come. You’ll meet every artist who’s anybody in the world of body art and you’ll see some truly unbelievable body art.
This is a recession buster show. The promotors have reduced the daily admission to $20. Park at Gate 9.
Hours:
Fri. 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sun.11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
If your not into ink, don’t worry. We have other shows that weekend. Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4, the all new 
Reptile Super Show at Fairplex 6 has more than 300 tables of exotic animals. Admission is only $8 (kids $5; kids 3 and under free).
Looking for a fun, completely free event? There’s the California Rabbit and Cavy Show in Barn 9A on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Join the Flock at Everybody’s Bird Mart
November 25th, 2008
Maybe you’re thinking about a pet for Christmas. Maybe you’re thinking a bird would be an excellent pet because they are pretty much low-maintenance. After all, you don’t have to rush home from work to let the bird out, right?
If you’re thinking about making the commitment to bird ownership, we have the perfect place to start: Everybody’s Bird Mart this Sunday, Nov, 30 at Fairplex 4. This is the place to meet and talk to experts who own and breed every possible bird variety all in one place on one day. There will be other experienced bird owners there as visitors and they are often your best resources
Bird lovers agree that their feathered friends make great companions. Note the use of “companions” rather than “pets.” That’s because bird owners soon learn how really smart birds are and how much they’re going to require of you as an owner. Some breeds are lower maintenance (finches, cockatiels and canaries, for example) and others are pretty much going to be your masters, like parrots. Here are some additional resources so you can learn about being a bird parent.
The training video in this post is from Jamieleigh’s Parrot Help, a blog with all kinds of tips for owning, caring for and training pet birds.
Parrot Central is a web site dedicated to educating humans who are thinking about bird ownership. It includes everything from buying birds to identifying household toxins that are harmful to birds.
Planned Parrothood is described as a “playground for parrots and the people they own.” Catch the drift here?
Come on down. It’s cheap entertainment at the very least.
Adults $5.00
Children 12 and under: Free.
Park at Gate 3 on McKinley Ave.
