Eight Questions with Bob Hase
Q1: When and how did you get involved with minitrucks?
A1: Back in 1970, I bought my first minitruck. It was a '66 Datsun 521. I saw a club around the Whittier area, called Banzai Trucks Unlimited, and from then on I was hooked. In those days, people would make fun of us for fixing uptrucks.
Q2: What's the first show you ever attended?
A2: In 1970, there weren't many shows to attend. The first major show I remember was the Soledad Break Out. It was a three-day camping event held in Acton, California. That was the go-to event in the '70s.
Q3: What was your first custom ride?
A3: The '66 Datsun. We built metal flares, because the truck had M-50-15 on the back and 15x6 Torque Thrust wheels, which stuck out pretty far.
Q4: Who do you look up to for inspiration?
A4: Steve Stillwell and Courtney Halowell for keeping me on the right path on all the events I've promoted, and for just being great friends and coworkers over the years.
Q5: What are you most proud of achieving?
A5: The fact that no matter what over the years, minitruckin' has stayed a connected family! Also, in December 1976, I founded Sunset and this year will be our 31st year as a club. I owe a lot to Sunset and my club family.
Q6: What do you feel is your biggest contribution to minitruckin' as a whole?
A6: Trying to bring a fun event to the minitruck community as a club-thrown show. As a club, we have thrown the two largest three-day camp out events: Resolutions and West Coast Nationals.
Q7: What's the craziest minitruck moment you can recall?
A7: At Reso 1990 we had 2,860 trucks; before we started the Thursday roll-in! Everyone had Thursday off, because it was New Year's Eve, so it took us 15 hours to move everyone in and get settled.
Q8: Is there anyone who you would like to thank?
A8: I would like to thank my wife, Tina, for putting up with me being so involved in minitruckin' and letting me play with minitrucks for all of these years! And of course, my club, Sunset, for their help and support.