Record Run For Showtime At Lake Ming
	Photo By RAP :: Race Action Photography

It was hard to believe that Eddie Pacilio was trying to slow down Showtime when Brad Parrack drove it to the finish line in 6.36 seconds and exceeded the MPH record.

Yet, when we interviewed Eddie, he grinned and insisted that was exactly what he had done. Eddie is the crew chief for the boat, Showtime, which he and Debbie own, and Brad Parrack drives.


Most typical dragboat owners try to get their boats to run faster, however, the Pacilio's, Eddie and Debbie, are definitely not your typical boat owners. The team went to the NJBA Nationals with one goal in mind, to slow the boat down.

The magic number was 7. If they could run a 7 second index they could switch classes to Pro Mod, and if they suceeded in slowing Showtime down, then they had full intentions of runing in the Pro Mod class at upcoming race events.

When asked if he had any inkling that Showtime would be making new records, Eddie insisted that it was only after the inatial 6.36 pass that he made some adjustments to ensure the boat would run the backup needed to secure the record.

Rap: "What did you do ... try to slow it down somemore?"

Eddie laughs, "No not that time. I knew what had to be done, Ray and I worked on it and we knew the boat could do it, and we believed that Brad would do it.

When Showtime encored with a 6.32 run, the entire team was estatic. Showtimes mechanic, Ray , claimed it was his first hands on participation in a drag boat record run. Debbie Pacillio was as confident as her husband and partner, that Showtime, would in fact make the record run needed to back up the record.

Debbie and Eddie Pacilio took a hard hit earlier in the year, when they lost the predecessor to Showtime, as they helplessly watched it rip into pieces strewn accross Firebird Lake. The bad news was that they were in the midst of negotiating a large sponsorship package, to help support their $100,000.00 investment.

Given the opportunity, the Pacilios without hesitation, reinvested in drag boat racing by purchasing Showtime. Debbie had no qualms in making an instant decision when Eddie phoned her, told her Showtime was on the market, and proposed they buy it. She knew Eddie and Ray would have Showtime running in the spotlight, and both Pacilios agreed that Brad Parrack would continue to be the driver of whatever boat they bought.

Eddie, part owner and back up driver to Brad, is licensed to run the capsule boat, but prefers not to drive. You won't see Eddie behind the wheel, other than running an odd half track pass to get a feel for how the boat handles. He prefers the responsibility of crew chief, and trusts Brad's skills as a driver.

Parrack, a former champion, is greatful to the Pacilios for their support and trust.
He stated, "your esteem takes a low blow or two when you can't make a boat run the way the boat should be run, and then when you crash, and see the money just sinking as pieces, to the bottom of a lake, it's just crushing." Brad stated he was a proponent in the decision to go to the PM class. He wanted it because he believed it would be a way to remove part of the financial burden from the shoulders of the Pacilios. The Pacilios made the mental move towards Pro Mod, but that decision was out the window the minute Showtime ran that 6.36 pass at the Nationals.

Rap: "This record has to feel good for you personally. Since you came out of Sportsman Class into the Pro Class, you have had difficulty getting down the track in your typical style. Do you suppose some may have thought you couldn't cut the class."
Parrack: "Yes. A few thought I was a open jet boat driver that couldn't cut it in a capsule. It feels good to earn respect and live up to the performance that Showtime is capable of. I can't thank Eddie and Debbie enough for everything they are and everything they do."

What kind of owners hand the keys over to a guy that just crashed a boat before it could finish it's third event?
Responsible owners with business savy. The Pacilios had no reason to question their drivers skills and had eliminated such as a circumvent leading to that earlier accident.

After running a debut half track pass at the NJBA summer showdown, Eddie got out of the capsule handed Brad the keys and said she's yours to drive.
Brad's response was "Really? Are you sure?"

The boat was sweet to ride and sweet to look at. How sweeter can it get. It gets as sweet as 6.26 ET Record and new MPH record.

The record to beat in the PCE class at the next registered race for the Pacilios, is an ET of 5.90.

Eddie plans to attempt to beat the record, but not initially. All good things in due order. Only the latter part of the race will be devoted to exceeding the ET of 5.90.

The long term goal is to move to the 4 second index class of TFH. The plan is within 2 years to move to TAH, which runs in the 5 second index, followed later by the TFH transition.

Slowing Showtime down to run a 7 would have been a backslide, an opposite direction in ET, but would lead them closer to aquiring a premier sponsor. Some sponsors prefer TV Air time. Currently, the faster index of PCE, is excluded from TV coverage, yet the Pro Mods do get that coveted TV air time. The Pacilio's priority and short term goal is to secure a premier sponsor that will commit to a bigger program.

Showtime has current supporting sponsors, but lacks a major third-party contributor. Future Programs are available at all levels.

Showtime will get lots of attention, from event fans regardless of the class she runs. Showtime has proved performance and consistency running back to back triple records of 6.36 6.32 and 6.26 creating both new BGH ET and MPH records. Combined with the Teams amicable demeanor and winning attitude, Showtime will be an attractive lure for many sponsorship opportunities.