So-Cal Speed Shop To Open Its Doors For Fans

National Dragster, Oct 15, 2004

To commemorate almost 60 years in the racing business, the So-Cal Speed Shop will open the doors to its hot rod and race shops to NHRA Drag Racing fans who attend this year's Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals and the 2005 K&N Filters Winternationals.

"Typically, the shop is only accessible during our annual open house on the Friday before Father's Day; however, over the last few years, we have seen a growing number of NHRA fans come by and request tours," said So-CaI President Pete Chapouris. "Consequently, we've put together a plan to accommodate them on the Saturday mornings of these two major events. We hope fans will come by and check out some of the cool cars that we're building."

Founded in 1946 hy Alex Xydias, who raced his front-blown Ardun-powered '34 coupe in Pomona in the early 1950s, the So-CaI group is best known for the red and white race cars that it fielded at the dry lakes and Bonneville. So-CaI continues to race a team of GM-sponsored vehicles at Bonneville, including a modern Ecotec-powered version of the So-CaI Belly Tank Lakester.

The So-CaI Speed Shop is located 10 minutes from Pomona Raceway at 1357 E. Grand Ave. in Pomona. The shop will be open to fans Nov. 13 and Feb. 13.