Page 17 - Issue 47

A lot
A lot of these shows are coming full circle for me.
The PORK REPORT
The PORK REPORT began as an outlet to display
some of the pictures I was taking combined with
some of the pictures I was taking combined with
working to promote the local events. I hesitate...no I
working to promote the local events. I hesitate...no I
REFUSE to refer to most as ‘car shows’. To me, a car
REFUSE
show is a tired old deal with geezers napping in lawn
show is a tired old deal with geezers napping in lawn
chairs hoping to get a mass produced plaque or some
chairs hoping to get a mass produced plaque or some
awful plastic trophy. Nay-these are lifestyle gatherings
awful plastic trophy. Nay-these are lifestyle gatherings
of slicked up greasers, tattooed dirtbags and hardcore
of slicked up greasers, tattooed dirtbags and hardcore
gearheads who love the American car lifestyle. Many
gearheads who love the American car lifestyle. Many
are tire smoking, scorching music-playing, pinstriping
are tire smoking, scorching music-playing, pinstriping
mayhem fests of sin for a cause. Sometimes a
mayhem fests of sin for a cause. Sometimes a
fundraiser for a fallen comrade or a food bank charity,
fundraiser for a fallen comrade or a food bank charity,
but always a wild time. Thrash for weeks, stay up too
but always a wild time. Thrash for weeks, stay up too
late, get up way too early but make it count. Nap at
late, get up way too early but make it count. Nap at
home, because we came to raise the dead!!
home, because we came to raise the dead!!
That is
That is the premise that THE TEXAS THAW
was founded on. The Torques founded this event ten
was founded on. The Torques founded this event ten
years ago as a way to get together with local hot rod
folks and to support veteran’s causes. Racing ensued,
cars were shown and wild times were had. Every year
the show got bigger, the lines to NorthStar Dragway
got longer, and times got faster. Vintage front engine
dragsters, dragbikes and wild gassers ruled the
day. Originally in February, the fi rst shows were the
farthest thing from a thaw. I almost lost a few toes and
fi ngertips to frostbite, so I was glad when they pushed
back to March. While still nippy and chilly, the weather
would eventually warm in the afternoon Texas sun.
That track is a cruel mistress though, and she gained
her revenge on many an axle, transmission and fender.
A freight rail runs parallel to the track, and it is always
surreal to watch the racing as a few miles of train
rolled by. The area’s biggest vintage only salvage yard
fl ags the other side of the track, so it has always been
a place of dreams for many.
Over the years The Torques raised many funds
for active units deployed in hostile theatres. Over
the years it rained and froze. Over the years I made
a bunch of new friends and even lost a few old ones.
Over the years some of my best days were had at The
Texas Thaw. The 2017 event was the fi rst Thaw I was
able to drive my old car into, and as it turns out, might
be the last. While we hope not, we were glad to have
attended eight times. They set the example for what
a bunch of hot rod toughs can do with the proper
cardiac muscle. Cheers to them!

RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 17

16x19 Pork Report.indd 17 12/15/17 11:33 AM