Started by 10 enthusiasts way back in '81, 4 of the founders Don Clausing, Jerry Hall, Charlie Robinson, and Don Sondes are still with us today. The first meeting was held October 27, 1981, at CR's place, and moved to Peperroni's Pizza for the November '81 meeting.We've grown from a dozen Members in '81 to being the largest, most active car club in the South. The key to our success is obvious. We have always been "Member oriented", trying to provide each FPAer with the activities that they want and encouraging Members to get involved in planning our functions. Since very few of us were Members back then, and those of us who were are loosing our memories due to old age, here's a list of the significant happenings over the past 15 years.
1981: Oct 27- First meeting. Nov- Meetings held 2nd Tue at Peperoni's Pizza in Metairie. Dec- First party, Jerry Hall's house.
1982: May-first Event, Rally, Show & Picnic. Charged everybody $2 to pay for hot dogs and chili. Awarded 6 trophies for rally and show. Al Barrientos' 4 dr. LTD with "clean rust" won the show. April- FPA shirts first available @ $6.50 each. June- First FPA Autocross at Delgado. Aug- Moved to Big Cheese Pizza for meetings. Sept- First FPA stickers. Discussed FPA drag race at Officer's meeting, decided "no way", too expensive & complicated. Oct- first Halloween Party at Bob Druhan's parents house. Nov- $370 gate @ autocross, we're "in the money!"
1983: Jan- FPA entered 4 cars in The World Of Wheels. Won 3rd place Club Display. March- First FPA Scavenger Hunt. First female FPAer Debbie Ford, joins. June- First Funkhana. First FPA hats. First newsletter. July- Wow! Gave away 5 posters as door prizes. Dec- Discussed possible drag race with Baton Rouge Mustangers.
1984: Jan- Up to 50 Members! March- First recorded suggestion for a TOGA Party! Oct- First FPA drag race, rained out and rescheduled, it drew 46 cars to St. Capitol Dragway. Dec- Moved meetings to Catfish Shack in Kenner when Big Cheese closes.
1985: Jan- FPA purchases World's Fair Chrysler display car for $25. Didn't know what to do with it...? March- Moved meetings to Catfish Shack in Metairie. May- Bob Glidden voted Honary Member and presented Membership card at Cajun Nationals. June- 2nd FPA drags at BR. Car Review Magazine there staging Supercar Shootout between Shelby and Mopar. FPA gets exposure in magazine for first time! July- First Driver's School. First video shown at meeting. Newsletter gets a name-"The Exhaust Note." Aug- Moved to Pizza Inn when Catfish Shack "throws us out." Sept- First Lap The Lake Rally. Oct- 3rd FPA drags @ BR rained out and rescheduled to Nov.
1986: Feb- Parts Call started in E/N. March-First multi-page E/N. First standing room only meeting! April-23 cars at Car Show & Crawfish Boil. May- First FPA drags at Gulfport rained out, rescheduled to June. June-club insurance increased 58%. July-First FPA Tech Day. Found Pizza Inn closed when FPA arrived for meeting, moved to Pizza Inn Vets for one meeting. Aug-Moved meetings to Sicily's. First full size E/N. Oct-FPA Southern Nationals drew 109 cars at Gulfport. Dec-First FPA jackets delivered. 65 Members.
1987: Jan-First FPA Member Appreciation Banquet drew 102 people. FPA forms Regional Area Car Enthusiast (RACE) with other clubs to schedule events. FPA returns to World Of Wheels. April-80 Members, standing room only at meetings. May-FPA Spring Drags draws 122 entries! June-Car Show & Crawfish Boil moves to the lakefront with 34 entries. July-First use of PA system at meeting. First FPA panties auctioned at meeting! Aug-First golf style shirts. Sept-FPA invited to participate in N.O.Racefest Show. Oct-1st Annual Cajun Shelby Meet biggest FPA event ever! Foster Davis joins FPA. Racefest canned. Nov-100 Members! Dec-E/N at 16 pages.
1988: Jan-Family Memberships approved @ $15. 14 FPAers in World Of Wheels. FPA takes 2nd in Club Display. April-110 people at meeting! 32 cars & 150 people at Car Show & Crawfish boil. May-First inter- club event, Classic Mustang Assoc.-FPA Swap Meet. First "...EST" list appears in E/N. June- Moved meetings to Brewer's Restaurant. July-FPAers present Ford vs. chevy skit at CCcC meeting. Aug-First FPA autocross since '82.CCcC attends FPA meeting with their "skit". Started 50/50 drawing. Fords dominate 1st Annual Ford vs. chevy Drags at BR, 66-35 final score! Oct- First FPA go-cart races. 37 cars made the famous "Cruise" as part of CSMII. Nov-125 Members! Bob Wyatt voted in as Honorary Member! 70 people at Halloween Party! Dec-Activity Committees formed. Voted to move elections from April to November.
1989: Jan-Voted to eliminate Full/Associate Memberships & have one Membership. Feb-Meetings moved back to Sicily's. First New Member Orientation meeting. FPA Song first heard by 122 FPAers at Appreciation Party! FPA panties sold for $71! Bob Wyatt donates Shelby items to FPA! April-550 lbs of crawfish consumed at Car Show & Crawfish boil! June-Moved meetings to Western Sizlin', 10th location! 2nd Annual Ford vs. chevy Drags HUGE success! Aug-TOGA! Party, finally! Sept-Club buys TV, autocross timing lights. Declared 2nd Sat at Frostop as "FPA Cruise Night." Oct-R.A.C.E. Series autocross (FPA idea) starts. FPA holds first ever event at N.O.P.D. driving academy. Over 120 at FPA meeting! Nov-FPA produces car show for Fun Ford Sunday, displays new red banners. FPA cups available. Membership hits 150! Dec-FPA beats both vette clubs in R.A.C.E. autocross series!
1990: Jan-FPA wins Best Club Display at World Of Wheels. First $100 50/50 total-Robert Barberot wins $50. First Test & Tune Drags (Free to Members). Feb-160 Members. March-112 cars @ Spring Drags (most since 5/87). April-Moved to Elmwood Food Court (location #11!), 43 cars @ Car Show & Crawfish Boil, "Making Of The FPA Swimsuit Calendar" filmed. June-3rd Annual FORD vs chevy drags draws 200 cars and over 4000 people. Aug-50s-60s Party. Sept-38 cars photographed for FPA Calender. Oct-Fall Drags had 134 total entries (mostEST at an all Ford drags) with 59 FPAers (mostEST FPAers ever at any Drags). Dec-Moved meetings to Papa's Corner, 12th meeting location. '91 Swimsuit Calendar issued!
1991: Jan-FPA wins Best Club Display at World Of Wheels. Only club to win twice. Newsletter Comm formed. Feb-FPA incorporated, club wins Club Participation Award at Houston Fun Ford Weekend. Mar-4th Annual F/c Drags sets track attendence record of 5500+, Ford regains Championship. Apr-Alan Kuwicki April Fool joke, Treasurer "arrested" at meeting, $216 in 50/50! 10th Annual CS&CB rain delayed twice. May-175 people & 75 Fords @ 10th Annual CS&CB. FPA records for Members and Comm formed. Feb-FPA incorporated, club wins Club Participation Award at Houston Fun Ford Weekend. Mar-4th Annual F/c Drags sets track attendence record of 5500+, Ford regains Championship, BIG profit!
1992: Jan-FPA "3-peats" Best Club Display at World Of Wheels. Feb-1st Twin Challenge Autocross. March-Spring Drags rain delayed April-11th Annual Car Show & Crawfish boil had 170 people & 68 cars. Spring Drags had 82 cars. May-F/c Drags @ St Capitol had 2500 spectators. chevy won Championship. Jul-141 at Appreciation Party. Sept-Car Show & BBQ awarded Top 20. Oct-Fall Drags had 126 cars.
1993: Jan-FPA "4-peats" Best Club Display at World Of Wheels. Apr-149/52 @ Car Show & Cwawfish Boil. July-Pimps & Prostitutes Party. Oct-6th F/c Drags at BR had really big turnout, 65 volunteers, Ford wins points.
1994: Jan-Appreciation Party big success, 112 people attend. Feb-FPA take 2nd at World Of Wheels. March-The Spring Drags had 121 Fords! April-Car Show & Crawfish Boil had 48 cars, 600# bugs and 142 FPAers. May-FPA Dual A/C. July-Summer drags rained out after time trials and rescheduled. Aug-Lue Wow with free band. Sep-Car Show & Picnic has 24 cars in Metairie Playground. Oct-7th F/c Drags has 3000+ spectators, jet dragster, and puts the FPA F/c Drags on the map! Halloween party moves to Larry Chedotal's for 1st time.
1995: Jan-1st Annual FPA Drag Championship awards presented at Appreciation Party. Mar-132 Fords (record turnout) at Spring Drags! Apr-'95 Edsel "April Fool" car at Car Show & Crawfish Boil along with "Janie" Swimsuit Posters! Aug-Hollywood Party big success. Oct-8th Annual F/c Drags at Eunice draws 2300 spectators.. Dec-FPA Free Drags at Gulfport draws buncha FPAers.
1996: Jan-FPA wins Best Club Display @ World Of Wheels with "Hollywood" theme.. March-80 cars at Spring Drags. April-15th Annual Car Show & Crawfish Boil had 130 FPAers and 51 Fords displayed at the Metairie VFW. June-Scavenger hunt lures 6 teams. July-Summer Drags has 79 cars & no rain delay! Aug-Western Roundup has highEST percent in costume ever! Oct:15th Anniversary Shirts, 9th Annual F/c Drags has 1900 spectators, 60/140 cars.
1997: Jan-We didn’t participate in World Of Wheels. Feb-Appreciation Party held at Carlone’s in Metairie. Apr- Car Show & Crawfish Boil held at American Legion in Harahan. May-Brian Gravois takes over as newsletter Editor. Aug- Summer Drags held after being rained out in July. Oct-F/c Drags held at Gulfport. Dragway. Dec-Bob Druhan becomes co-editor of newsletter.
1998: Jan-FPA took 1st Place Club Display at World Of Wheels. FPA participates In monster truck show at Dome. Feb-F/c Committee formed. March-Appreciation Party March-Spring Drags had 115 cars. April-Car Show & Crawfish Boil at Ormond Plantation hosted 170 people & 51 Fords. May-Pics shot for Swimsuit Calendar 51 Fords, 28 models. July-Summer Drags at Gulfport twice rained out and eventually cancelled. Aug-Alien Theme Party held at Carson’s with 70 attendees. Sept-Car Show & Picnic at Lafreniere Park. Last meeting at Chateau Pub. Sept-Revised dues term to pay every Dec/Jan. Oct-Car Show & Picnic rescheduled to Nov due to Hurricane Georges. 1st meeting at Carson’s Café held on a Thursday! F/c Drags at Gulfport another success! Nov-Car Show & Picnic hosts 40 Fords and 100 club members. Dec-Free Drags at Gulfport.
1999: Jan-At the World Of Wheels we again took Best Club Display. The Monster Truck deal in the dome turned bad when the dodge sponsor didn’t want Fords. March-Appreciation Party at Magnolia Plantation. April-Spring Drags. May-Car Show & Crawfish Boil at Ormond. Had 189 people who sucked down 700 lbs of crawfish! July-Summer Drags did not rain out, but only 70 Fords and 170 spectators braved the heat. Sept-40 Fords at the Car Show & Picnic and Elvis first annoyed us. Oct-The F/c Drags was another success at Gulfport. Halloween party at Carson’s only had 55 people there. Dec-Free Drags were rained out and rescheduled a week later.
2000: Jan-World Of Wheels. There were 111 FPAers attending the Appreciation Party at Crystal Plantation, but Elvis was annoying people again, and a “ruckus” resulted. April-Spring Drags rain delayed from March had only 41 cars and 162 spectators. We also held the Summer Drags later that month with only 50 Fords racing. July-Car Show & Crawfish Boil was scheduled too late, no crawfish! Only 20 Fords displayed and only 55 people attended (Please, Show Committee, don’t ever do this again!) Sept-Car Show & Picnic at VFW in Metairie. Fall Drags had 115 Fords and 500 spectators!! . Oct-The F/c Drags had a huge crowd. The Halloween Party had 64 people at Carson’s. Dec-Free Drags.
2001: Jan-No FPA at the World Of Wheels after a management change with show. Feb-Appreciation Party at Crystal Palace with NO ELVIS! FPA President resigns. April-The Car Show & Crawfish Boil at Ormond had 48 Fords, 174 people, and some of the best food ever at an FPA event. The Spring Drags had 120 Fords. May-Gulfport Dragway owner Charles Reese dies. Thanks for every thing Charles!. July-The Summer Drags had 58 racers, but made a profit! Aug-Car Show & Picnic on the north shore at Fountainbleau Park.
2002: Jan- FPA takes Best Club Display award at the World of Wheels, April- The Crawfish Boil and Car show was a sucess, Aug.- TOGA II theam party is a great sucess, lots of fun., Sep.- Inagrial FPA Show & Go Challenge at Gulfport Rained Out. Oct.- 15th annual Ford vs. Chevy Shootout is a sucess with Ford winning overall. Sweet! Halloween Party was a sucess also. Nov. Free Drags at Gulfport, Charlie Robinson crowned champion for 2002.
2003: Jan.- Appreciation Party was a blast, FPAers clean up taking awards at the World of Wheels. March - FPA Spring Drags had a good turn out. April - 3rd annual Charles Reese Memorial Drags has a good turn out and many FPAers walk away with trophys. June- 22nd Crawfish boil & Car Show has great turnout with 50 fords entering in the show. August - 102 members show up for the South Sea Island/Shipwreacked party at smilies in Harhane. Sep.- 2nd annual Show & Go Challenge was a success, key NO RAIN. Oct. 16th annual Ford vs. Chevy Shootout draws over 4,200 spectators to Gulfport. Halloween Party is a great success. Dec.- Bobby Achor claimes 2003 Drag Racing title at the Free Drags in Gulfport.
2004: Jan. - FPA wins "Best Club Display" at the 2004 WoW, Club Members walk away with awards too. 125 people show up to the Appreciation Party at the Champagne Room. Last General Meeting at Carson's Cafe. Feb. - KC Hall in Kenner houses the FPA, new officers elected for 2004. Mar. - Over 100 racers show up at the first FPA event at No Problem Raceway. April - Rainy weather dosn't stop 90 people and 60 cars and trucks show up for the 23rd annual Car Show and Crawfish Boil. June - 47 cars show up at the rescheduled 4th annual CRM Drags. Sept. - Last Show & Go atracts 50 ford powered racers and 9 show cars to Gulfport, many FPAers walk away with trophies. Oct. - The 17th annual Ford vs. Chevy Drags has great turn-out and totel of 200 cars to race. Ford wins two brackets. Nov. - Halloween Party has good turnout with alot of spook-ful fun. Dec. - Free Drags held on chilly friday night at No Problem Raceway, Manuel "Mr. 4-speed" Babin claims his second FPA Drag Racing title.
2005: Jan - Still meeting in Kenner KC Hall. FPA won Best Club Display at the World Of Wheels . Feb-Appreciation Party held on top floor of Landmark Hotel. March FPA Drags at St Capiyol rained out. April-Returned to Carson's Cafe, now called Reenie's Cafe, for FPA meetings. May-24th Annual Car Show & Crawfish Boil at Lafrieniere park. Gulfport FPA drags held, open to non-Fords (a firsts for the FPA other than F/c). June-Rescheduled St Cap FPA Drags held, open to non-Fords, had 46 race cars. June-new type of Membership proposed, but withdrawn after almost unanimous suggestions to not do it. Gulfport Dragways agrees to return to F/c "partnership" deal. August- Held friday night race for Drag Points at NPR. Aug 29- Katrina hits, halts all FPA activities for a while. Nov-First meeting since Aug, held at same old place, now called Le Reaux Cafe (Carson's, Reenie's, whatever!) FPA storage shed had min damage to contents from roof leaking. F/c was cancelled for '05 Dec-Free Drags at NPR held. Charlie Robinson wins Championship on tie breaker with Blake Brady.
2006: wait and see!!!!!!!!!!!
Home Events Drags Show Party Parts 'EST list History Ford/Chevy