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San Diego Drag Racing and the Bean Bandits

Tuesday, July 10, 2018 FROM 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Location: San Diego History Center, Atrium
Tickets: Free Event! First come, first served.

San Diego enjoys a long and storied race car and drag racing history, and the Bean Bandits are a huge part of that heritage.

Join us for a lecture and book-signing with local authors Emmanuel Burgin, Colleen O’Connor and Susan Wachowiak, whose book San Diego Drag Racing and the Bean Bandits, relays this story through photographs garnered from private, personal, and historical collections, the 1950s pioneering exploits of Bean Bandits’ leader, Joaquin Arnett, and his contributions to that racing history come to life. The San Diego native led his Bean Bandits to over 300 wins and several land speed records while competing against other local clubs, like the Prowlers, Oilers, Roadsters, and Roadrunners. Eventually, the Bean Bandits’ streamliners set records on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Arnett won the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Championship in 1953, was named to the International Car Racing Hall of Fame in 1992, and was awarded an NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Arnett and his Bean Bandits’ car also graced the cover of Hot Rod magazine’s special drag strip issue in 1953.

Emmanuel Burgin is an author and former sports editor for El Sol de San Diego. Colleen M. O’Connor is a native San Diegan and retired college professor. Susan Wachowiak is a retired educator and lifelong history enthusiast.

Part of our Free Tuesday lecture series. First come, first served.

 

Details

Date:
July 10, 2018
Time:
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost:
Free
Event Category:

Venue

San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101 United States
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Organizer

San Diego History Center
Phone:
(619) 232-6203 ext. 111