85,000 at Air Facility Boost Charity Coffers

More than 85,000 people attended Chrysler’s Motor Trend Thunder Historic Road Races at Tustin’s Marine Corps Air Facility over the weekend, according to spokesperson Penny Nicolai.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tustin Boys & Girls Club, Covenant House California, City of Hope, the Hendrick Marrow Program and the Marine Corps Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department. Each will receive $5,000, Nicolai said.

Tustin Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Cliff Polston said his organization’s share will be used for scholarships. About 40% of the club’s 3,000 children receive a scholarship of some sort, Polston said.

The club received an additional $500 from individual donations made at the event.

Maj. Richard McKenzie, the base’s officer in charge, called the event a first-class operation.

Bryan Thatcher, first-time director of the Thunder, will oversee the event for the next two years. Thatcher called this year’s event a success, even though he had hoped for an attendance upward of 100,000.

“It was a goal,” Thatcher said. “You set the goals higher than you expect.”

Thatcher attributed the lower attendance to late planning. The event, known last year as Tustin Thunder and headed by the Marconi Foundation, was not expected to be held this year.

“You have to look at the overall undertaking,” Thatcher continued. “For the shortness of timing, this was a success. You have to thank the Marine Corps.”

Next year’s event may be moved to June, Thatcher said, since the base will remain under military control. The base will be handed over to the city of Tustin in July and Thatcher has not worked out a lease with the city for the event. An alternative option calls for the event to move to the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, he said.

Next year’s event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motor Trend Magazine, he said.