Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Hippy Killer Hoedown 10 – The Greatest Show on Dirt

The Hippy Killer Hoedown, aka “The Greatest Show on Dirt” celebrated its 10th anniversary recently. While the rest of the American mid-west was being strangled in a freak spring snow storm, it was an unusually sweltering spring day in Southern California. It was 90-degrees in Perris, a perfect day for killing hippies at a hoedown, then again maybe not. Quite possibly the heat acted as a murderous deterrent, we witnessed no slayings of any hippies, however we did see a few hoes, so the show lived up to its name as far as we were concerned.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel CurveHippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

To the uninitiated (such as this author) what exactly was the Hippy Killer Hoedown? Kutty Noteboom is the author and finisher of the Hippy Killer show. What started 10-years ago as a simple backyard party for friends and family instantly outgrew its debut location. And for ten years now has gathered the faithful from all the California inland Empire hinterlands and beyond.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

The short answer is this: it is a gathering of hot rods, customs, motorcycles, choppers, bobbers, vans, skateboards, punk rock, honky tonk and of course a myriad of vendors. That’s the short answer.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve
The analogous answer is: The Hippy Killer Hoedown is like a twenty-pound Costco sized bag of mixed vegetables hefted from the nuclear powered industrial freezers in the frozen food isle. Upon opening the bag, there is the usual assortment of familiar eatables mixed with the occasional lima beans, and then there is the really odd stuff nobody quite knows what it is, and why it is in the bag. Yet there it is, it’s colorful and eatable…and actually not that bad.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Walking around and people watching is really the only way to experience any show. We saw lowriders, wild customs, hot rods, shaggin’ wagon vans from the 70s, choppers and apes on stage playing instruments with go-go girls harmonically gyrating to the ape man’s music.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

There is also a show within a show. Dubbed the “Greatest show on Dirt” the Super Hooligan racing series (which puts on flat track motorcycle races nationwide) has piggy backed with the Hippy Killer show. It featured full-throttle dirt track racing, and for us this was our favorite part of the show. When the mad max flat track racers hit the dirt circle; a dust cloud comparable to a Nevada nuclear test site enveloped the track and race fans alike, soaking us all in silt but we didn’t care. The action was too good.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

Nobody seemed to mind, the racing was fast, frantic and fun. While the Super Hooligan series has its own rules, there were several special classes as follows: RSD Super Hooligan, Hooligan Fun (Same bike rules as Superhooligan. No pros. No contingency), Tank Shift Vintage, Pullstart Minibike, Vintage & Bomber Open (Pre-1981, unlimited cc), Run What Ya Brung, and the Woman’s Open class.

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel CurveHippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

For those racing in the Super Hooligan class the rules are simple enough “750cc and up, production street bike frames, no knobbies, nor a front brake. Beyond those guidelines, you’re free to ride what you want.”

Hippy Killer Hoedown, Fuel Curve

If the dirt from the flat track racing didn’t get into your nose, it will certainly get into your blood. There were a couple of 18-year old kids in tow with us who had never seen motorcycle racing before, and they were instantly hooked. Hippy Killer 10 – you were all right by us. We’ll see you at #11 next year April. Horns up!

Hippy Killer Hoedown Photo Extra!

Without question, Mike is a brilliant photographer who has a keen eye for composition and color. Having nearly two decades of experience in the magazine business, Mike has spent the better part of his adult file photographing cars and the people connected to them. Sealing his fate as a gearhead, Mike's first car was a '73 Camaro. Currently, he is working on bringing a '62 Ford Galaxie and '58 Chevy Apache back to life.