Bouncy music plays
Well, the Oilers' Crackle was founded in 1947 by five guys returning from World War I.
They dreamt not only of girls while they're away, but of speed.
They were a bunch of guys that were interested in going fast and trying to figure out ways to go faster.
One of the founding members' names was Jim Nelson.
He plays cards with a gentleman named Robert Guinet, and he puts out a book called The Birth of Hot Rodding.
Modern day times, me and my gang wound up writing Robert Guinet and saying, you know, this book is just mesmerizing.
He writes us back and says, send pictures of your cars.
He's blown away.
He has no idea that there's guys on the East Coast that are emulating what was happening in 1940.
He and I got talking, and he asked if we would be interested in taking the club over, and we were just floored.
We had no idea that one of the coolest racing clubs in the world would ask us to carry the torch.
It was an idea to run hot rods and motorcycles on the beach, and what happened was an incredible afternoon.
From there on, it's been a snowball. It basically just gets bigger and bigger and bigger.
We've got guys coming from California, Utah, Washington State.
They make this pilgrimage all the way to New Jersey.
And when they get here, not only are they stoked to be in the race, but we make this connection.
The most exciting thing about the race is that we've got guys that want to build specifically for our race, and I think that's pretty special.
We're kind of like a living museum.
I hope to convince these guys that have this stuff, bring it to the beach, like let's run it.
So many people are blown away by the experience, and I don't know if it's because it's the beautiful beach or what it is, but people are just there with us.
We all have this love and romance with these old machines.
I'm an admirer of the old road.
I believe in working with my hands, and I believe in doing it right and doing it once.
I'm Melvin Van Rijper Stilts, the third Oilers car club, motorcycle club, makers of the race of gentlemen.
I'm Melvin Van Rijper Stilts, the third Oilers car club, makers of the race of gentlemen.
I'm Melvin Van Rijper Stilts, the third Oilers car club, makers of the race of gentlemen.
I'm Melvin Van Rijper Stilts, the third Oilers car club, makers of the race of gentlemen.
I think these guys in California don't have to deal with this.
Of course.
