Barely Legal Record Run
	Photo By RAP :: Race Action Photography

2007 NJBA Manufacturers Invitational, held at Lake Ming, was an action packed fun weekend.

The weekend started out as a bummer for Dave Hudsons team when the trailer blew a tire enroute to the track. Everyone was fine and according to a tailgating, roving reporter, Scott Ray, the team had it fixed in no time flat.

The rain stayed away despite eniment clouds and the cooler temperatures were quite merciful to the suited up racers on the ropes.

Friday found a jam packed pit, chilling out and having fun enjoying the comradeship typically experienced at the NJBA races.

Four boats ran Test and Tune due to, substantial configuations or changes to their hotrods. New license seekers were primarily in the River Racer class with the exception of Joe Blattler. The new kids on the block were Arek Strohmenger, Shane Castaneda and Mike Heitman with River Racers (Raplys Believe It Or Not) numbered F,G,and H.

Qualifying started bright and early Saturday morning. The weather ranged from intermitten drizzles, cloudy to sunny with afternoon breezes, and there were no glitchs, up until lunch time. Some guys will do anything to get a lunch break, especially with the smell of Nitro Burgers in the air, and a lunch break was exactly what occured when Troy Ferry, in the far lane, ran over the timing lights.

When he named his TAH 'Your Next', we doubt he was referring to NJBA equipment and while on the subject of names, we would like to officially nickname Troy 'Lunch Break'. The one perfect thing about Lunch Breaks run was the timing. As before mentioned, it happened at noon, and the extensive repair job took approximately one hour.

The half dozen racers, remaining on the ropes got to run prior to the lights being repaired. All the racers were non-capsule (including TFH Proud Mary).

Inspired by Proud Mary, and motivated by nostalgia, Gary Harter owner of Hydro Silver #114, now driven by his nephew, Greg Vanderwende, donned the gear and went for a joy ride down the track, proving use it or lose it did not apply to him. He retired a couple of years ago after spending 19 plus years in the seat, but couldn't resist hanging out at the ropes for old times sake.

Another oldie but goodie, Harold Bruce SR (father to Harold Bruce Jr who races Fast Break BFJ #313) made a sweet pass, fast and low. He was prescheduled to run this weekend in preparation for the NJBA Finals where he will be replacing his son, who is unavailable for that upcoming competition. The three muskateers, I mean nostalgic peers, Mary, Gary and Harold Sr, are reminiscent of when the good ole boys and gals raced back in the day of non-capsuled fuelers. Yes that's right a non-capsuled TFH, a sight unheard of today but one that makes the hearts of the good ole boys (and gals) skip a beat or two.

Marshall Warren's heart must have skipped the odd beat, about the time, when his open hotrod aimed for the sun, oops clouds. Warren, did a great job of hanging on, and quickly landing the #156, About Time, and ran a great run.

Denis Porter, suffered a similar fate as his TAF #034 Butterfly, fluttered towards the skies. I get bad butterflies just thinking about flying, however, Porter, a pilot who trains people to fly, named his boat after his past sweetheart, now his wife, because everytime he called her she got good butterflies. Porter made a landing that I bet created a few more butterflies around the pits.

While severe winds raged on the fringe of Bakersfield, eliminations on Sunday morning looked as though the sky had been painted a perfext blue. The water was smooth as glass and by 10.15 am 3 records were close to being broken. Harold Traylor took full advantage of it as he put a leg on his current 118.01 mph record.

Tom Cress followed suite making a new MPH record leg in the BGJ class. but he did not back it up. The current record of 127.24 still belongs to Ron Fuentes.

Steve Sharp is no dull knife, the man currently holds the BGF record and decided if anyone was going to break his 133.35 MPH record, he would be the one. His new unofficial record is 133.76 MPH. Records remain unofficial until the NKBA board reconvenes and approves such.

Don Jones ran fastest time he has ever run in TAF #113 Barely Legal (see above photo) with a 6.692 ET unofficially ousting Fred Harts 6.72.

Mike Frey set another unoffical record for SH at 110.75 MPH. Nothing like a little self improvement considering Mike is the official current record holder at 109.70 MPH.
CJ racer Joe LaKamp appears to have made both an ET 8.83 and MPH record at 111.82.

Frank Nagore,BFJ #141 is the current record holder for both MPH and an ET of 7.62. Frank ran a 7.63. Brad Parrack current BGH ET and MPH record holder, has unofficially added his name to the record wall of fame, Brad, driving #680 Sunday Showdown, in the PGJ class ran 122.34 mph, while Harold Traylor gets to enjoy his current 118.01 record for only a few days more.

Over all it was a great weekend and race rescues main funtion this weekend was to start and stop the race for rough water, rollers or winds.

All 4 licensees did great, especially Joe Blattler. His newly licensed TAH earned him 2nd place, while River Racers (a 16 boat field) now have 3 more licensed racers within their class.

Unfortunately the class will be temporarily reduced by 1, due to David Hudson destroying his motor. Based on the destruction, David is out for the season.

Troy Ferry, who did not make it past his first run, also suffered substantial damaged to the boat hull, and had to pack it up and go back home.

Remember that old saying if it's not broke don't fix it? If racers aren't fixing it because it is broke they are fixing it to go faster. Harold Bruce Sr, after running faster than ever in Fast Break, decided to adjust the the pitch of boat to give it a tad more air, but it aired too much and did not run as well. They will be working on readjusting the dual jets prior to the next upcoming NJBA race.

For those of you who did not make it this time, you get one more chance in 2 weeks. The season is ending and the next final NJBA race will be The Nationals held on Nov 3-4.

Until then stay safe so we can see your face in a race.