INFORMATION/PICTURES
By the early 50's hot rodders had acquired a reputation as "hoodlums". The Cluster Busters wanted to change this image. They became advocates of safe driving and organized racing on the track instead of the street. The club became affiliates with the National Hot Rod Association (NSRA) in 1950. By 1954 every member of the club was also a member of the NHRA.
The Cluster Busters, with the aid of Judge George M. Ober began negotiations, with the National Guard for the use of an airport runway for racing in August 1954. These negoitians resulted in the first organized drags in Indiana in the summer of 1955. The event, setup by the Cluster Busters and sanctioned by the NHRA, was chronicled in the October 1955 issue of Hot Rod Magazine.
The success of this first drag event, held at Stout Field Air Strip, led the Cluster Busters to form the Indianapolis Timing Association. The Cluster Busters made up nearly 90 percent of it's membership. The Cluster Busters and the ITA held many more races at Stout Field throughout the 50's. The club then helped design and organize Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) now O'Reilly Raceway Park in 1960. The ITA provided the timing equipment used at the facility in the early years as well. O'Reilly Raceway Park is now the home of the NHRA's US National Championship Drags.
The club's involvement in drag racing decreased during the late 60's as the sport became increasingly professionalized and more expensive. At about that same time, hot rodders around the country were re-discovering the fun of building customized street cars for cruising.
Members of the Cluster Busters formed the Indiana Street Rod Association (ISRA) in 1971. The club became affiliated with the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) in 1976. The Cluster Busters hosted numerous custom car shows throughout the 70's and 80's, including Super Chevy Sunday at O'Reilly Raceway Park. The club also continued it's efforts to promote safe driving and supervised racing with an amateur drag racing series.
The Cluster Busters organized a car show to raise money for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Currently, they put on a car show every July 4th at Ray Skillman's Ford Dealership in Greenwood, Indiana. The Cluster Busters largest show is the James Dean Run, held every year in Fairmont, Indiana. Held on the anniversay of James Dean's death, the James Dean Run had averaged 2,500-2,700 cars each year.
In 2001, The Cluster Busters were given the prestigious "Pioneers in Drag Racing" award at the US Nationals in September at O'Reilly Raceway Park. The club was recognized for it's contribution to NHRA and their involvement in the early years in drag racing in Indiana.
As the 3rd oldest Car Club in the United States, the club recoznized it's 60th Anniversary in 2008. Quite an accomplishment.
Currently, the club has over 30 active members. We hold weekly meetings at the club house in Indianapolis on Tuesday evenings. Our misssion remains the same as it always has been: to promote safe driving and racing for all ages and present hot rodding as a safe and responsible form of an automotive hobby.
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