From Humble Beginnings.....

I was cleaning out my craft room today, which involved mostly going through pictures. I came across pictures from our 1998 4th of July event when our Piccolo Pete 500 was born! (I'm pretty sure it was 1998, but 1997 is written on the backs of the pics...so you decide!) We spent the day at the Luna's eating and having water balloon fights. Then as the sun went down, we moved the party to Buena Park - where it is still legal to do fireworks. In another post I mentioned that Tammie and Susan had purchased a cardboard car with a firework sticking out the back, which was lit that night. As it burned into the street, a light bulb came on in the minds of all men present....WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT..... And our annual family tradition was born.



Here is David with the first car to be modified using Piccolo Petes. We've come a long way since that July 4th. I can't wait for this year!!!!

NOTE: I'm including the pictures that I took that night (because I think they are funny - everyone is so young!).


Hard to believe that since this picture was taken in 1997, dad, Grandma Iola and Grandma Esther have passed on. That's mom with the white blanket over her head - and Karen you can barely see in a black hoodie.

Here are the other pics...

2011 And I haven't loaded the Pictures from 2010!!!

Boy am I behind the times! I sat down tonight to create our invite for this year's 4th of July party, and I realized that I haven't loaded pictures from last year!!! The past 12 months have flown by. So much has changed, so much remains the same....mainly, the same groups in the winners circle last year - WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RUSS!!! He finally made it to 1st place. Can't wait to see if 2011 will bring a whole new set of winners!

2009 Winners with Trophies

We didn't award the 2009 winners with their trophies until our 2010 race. Thanks for being so patient!

2010 Videos - Part 3 - Russ' Runs

Russ' car - good qualifying run. It got him into the final race!
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Here is Russ' winning run, in the final heat.

2011 Videos - Part 2

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One of Bubba's creations.


Not sure who's car this was, but it had a good run. Check out all of the names on the track so close to the starting line! Not a lot of good runs this year.

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So sad.... my car didn't make it very far.

2010 Videos - Part 1

Here are some short clips from the 2010 race! Can't wait for this year!!!
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This year the OLDER generation turned over the task of 'spotting' cars to the younger generation...for 'most' of the cars. James and Trayne did a good job.

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Even with a second engine - some of the cars didn't make it very far this year. I think that part of the problem is the firework makers not putting as much powder in the Piccolo Petes!

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This would have been a good year for the OLDER generation to keep running after the cars....like I said, some didn't go very far. 'Spotters' had an easy job!

2010 Winners

FINALLY! After years of practice, Russ makes it into the finals - taking 1st place!

That's my Bubba! Another 2nd place win!


Is it Stephen or Michael? When will their luck run out? They have taken one of the top 3 spots EVERY year since we started this race!