BAKERSFIELD,
Calif. (Oct. 09-12, 2008): By any standard CHRR 17 was three days of drag
racing, renewed friendships, memories, drama, cacklecars and
fun that surpassed all the superlatives previously endowed on
our premier event in the past. In spite of an economy best described
as anemic, the hallowed grounds of Famoso Raceway were full of
race cars and the stands packed with fans. Mother Nature was
in on the act as well supplying perfect racing weather that made
the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce proud.
The Top Fuel
final was anti-climatic with Brett Harris (who had run 5.69 in
the previous round) paired with Rick White who had been running
consistent 5.7 times all weekend. However the potent and usually
reliable hemi in the Nitro Thunder dragster went sour at the
end of its burnout. By the time Harris had backed up it was obvious
to all that this poor engine needed to be put out of its misery.
White gave the fans a show running a solid 5.819 at 255.89 for
the money. It was later learned that Harris' engine broke an
exhaust rocker arm.
The Nostalgia
Funny Cars, ran Sunday in a "Chicago style" match race.
Bucky Austin took the honors in his "Northwest Hitter"
over Chris Krabill in the Pedaler. Austin's winning 5.749 at
244.03 was the quickest pass ever for a Nostalgia Nitro Funny
Car.
The High Speed
Motorsports team may have lost the battle (not winning the event)
but won the war as Troy Green battled Jim Murphy to the wire
to become the first Heritage Series Top Fuel Champion. When Murphy
lost to Brett Harris in the semis, Green's 5 point lead was enough
to seal the deal. Minutes later Green lost a close one to the
eventual winner, Rick White. The only thing that would have made
the points race more tightly contested would have been if Brad
Thompson was not injured at Boise and unable to race here. We
would of had a classic three horse race for the crown.
Now it is our
pleasure to present the end results of the efforts of Tony Thacker,
Steve Gibbs, Greg Sharp, Wayne Allison, Bill Groak and the rest
of the staff at the NHRA Wally Parks Motorsports Museum. More
so to Blake and John Bowser and the Famoso Raceway staff for
superbly preparing the facility - especially the track itself.
Their Safety Safari are second to none. These folks know how
to run a drag race. And of course, many thanks to all our great
photographers without whom this whole deal would be moot.
Photos by: Bob
Brown, Stephen Justice, Steven C. Wallace, Dan Kaplan, Gary Edwards,
Paul Hutchins, Tim Hanaseth, Pam Schavrien, Darrell Conrad, Vic
Cooke, Jim Sorenson, Tom Hurley, John Ewald, Pete Gemar, Fred
Young and Don Ewald.
*Not suitable
for dial up modems.
