Warm feelings at The John Force Holiday Show

On December 2, 2012, I attended the 15th annual John Force Racing Holiday Show in Yorba Linda, CA that benefitted the charity "Chips for Kids"; a charity that provides underprivileged children toys for the holiday season. From the moment that fans gave their toys to the California Highway Patrol officers, their smiles spoke volumes as to the joy that everyone felt entering the facilities of the team that has won a total of 17 NHRA Drag Racing Championships in Funny Car.

Along the streets that surrounded the Yorba Linda Race Shop, hundreds upon hundreds of the finest classic & custom cars were on display vying for Holiday Show supremacy. Also on display were 2 of the finest european sports cars ever built; Italian Automakers Ferrari and their F40 as well Bugatti's flagship Veyron; the fastest production based sports car in the world; traveling at a top speed of over 250+ MPH worth 2.4 million dollars.

At 10am the morning of the Annual Holiday show; the shop that housed the team that began with a dream of a truck driver opened its doors to the throngs of fans who waited patiently outside while light rain fell from the sky; the smiling face of Louie Force (brother of John) greeted everyone and shook hands with all who entered the hallowed grounds as Two of John's vintage funny cars, the Mountain Dew/Jolly Rancher & the "Brute Force"  Monza stood watch.

As the fans gazed at the various displays of all of the accomplishments that the team had done over the years,everyone in attendance felt a greater appreciation to all that John and the team has done throughout the years; one display in particular paid tribute to Eric Medlen; the well loved young man from Oakdale,CA who's life was cut short due to a testing accident in 2007 in Gainsville, FLA. Everyone who walked by could not help but shed a tear; Eric was loved by everyone and is still so sorely missed

There were many of the Teams' cars on display throughout the facility; The Castrol GTX "Destination Force" Mustang, the Traxxas car of 2012 NHRA "Rookie Of The Year" Courtney Force, Robert Hight's L.A. Dodgers car from 2009; and the Legendary 1996 "Driver of the Year" Mustang; the only time in the history of Motorsports that a drag racer has won the prestigious award as voted on by a panel of international Motorsports journalists from around the world.

In what has become a tradition during the annual Holiday Get together, the driver autograph session features a who's who of Professional Drag Racing. The entire Team; John, Robert Hight, Daughters Ashley Force Hood, Courtney & Brittany Force, 2012 NHRA Funny Car Champion "Fast Jack" Beckman,HOF Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen, "Queen of Cars" Genevieve Chapelle; even Jacob John Hood made an appearance practicing his skills signing autographs for the fans. The moment was priceless.

In the 15 years of the annual John Force Holiday Show, never has their been such an outpouring of giving and generosity like this years extravaganza; the focus being the charity "Chips For Kids"; however I believe if you were to ask the 15x champ what means the most to him, it's the smiles that comes across a childs face when receiving a gift they may not otherwise get. That alone speaks volumes to the character of a man who had a dream  of becoming a champion; giving back to a sport that has given him a chance to make his dreams come true.

15th-annual John Force Hoilday Show Photos