Silva Paddles For Plaque
	Photo By RAP :: Race Action Photography

2009 Lakefest was untypical of most IHBA races. Test and Tune is not free and some racers cetainly got their moneys worth, keeping the ramps busy. I would like to have a dollar for every sportsman run made on Friday.

Speaking of dollars, Ken Dollar got his feet wet as Race Director. The event started on Friday with test and tune.

Toxic Rocket made the first and last pass shortly after noon, when it tore down the track, tearing apart at the sponsons. The boat ended up in a bad way, trailor bound for home. Little did Joe Cassidy know that the 217 mph run made by Glen Wilson, in a rippled Toxic Rocket, would be the second fastest fueler at the Lakefest event.

Saturday winds forced qualifying to a swift halt but the ultralights and sprint boats kept the crowd entertained.

The drivers voted to use last years IHBA points, as qualifying results for the classes that didn't run (due to hazzardous wind conditions). Racers from Texas, who are part of the Lucas Oil Series, but not part of the IHBA, drew straws to determine their placement.

This meant the pairings of some classes, such as TFH, were based on the 2008 results. Racers like John Haas, who weren't given a chance to earn the position were granted it. Those with the World Champion Title would be the #1 qualifier.

Sunday sent the winds packing with not even a slight breeze to cool down racers or fans. Hass continually proved he earned the #1 qualifying position by outracing all other fuelers by over forty miles an hour and that was his worst pass. His best was at the final round, where he earned the Top Speed and Low ET recognition for the event.

Speed Sports Special had a 51.98 mph lead on his competiton, earning John Haas another notch in his belt. The man needs a new belt.

TAH #437, Meanstreak, sent Jeff Gregory packing, when he outran him by over 61 MPH. Mike Fry had the Top Speed and Best ET. His boat Meanstreak, was second fastest boat on the track, the fastest being TFH Speeds Sport Special.

The flats were back with a new addition. Cole Thurston was out for a licence pass but crashed just past the tree (lights). Don Bausher not only ran the Top Speed and had the Lowest Et on his first Eliminations Round, but he Eliminated all the competion scooping the event title.

Pro Mod was 1 boat short of being the largest boat field at Lakefest. George Olson, a familiar face to racing, was however, a newer face in the Pro Mod class, showed up with a boat that had been sitting for 12 years, put a capsule in it, got his license and battled his way from #10 qualifier, to the semi finals where Esposito took him out.

Pro Mod Liason,wasn't the only title Vic Esposito had by the end of the Lucas Oil Series IHBA Lakefest. Esposito, put on a great show, in Freakshow. He knocked out the competion and took home the event Championship trophy.

Every racer, but one, in the Pro Comp Eliminator class was guaranteed a stay at the awards podium and a title.

PCE was the smallest boat count at Lakefest with only three contendors. Lipinski, Scarlata and Florez.

Brian Schmidl ran a great race. The #2 qualifier started his Elimination round with a perfect 8.00 ET. In the
final round, despite a lower ET and a 25 MPH faster run, Schmidl, lost the round to Dave Katriner who had a much
better RT (reaction time). Katriner, PE event champion, joked, " I can even beat 'em, with my butterflies
half-open."

TE had a few fresh faces on the ropes. Dave Sharp, not a fresh face, but with a fresh boat, started the season driving #777 fresh out of the paint shop. Barbara Kunkle and Rick Baretta were two of the fresh faces, moving up from the ME class. Baretta spent years perfecting the art of messing with Prigmore and Prigmore did plenty to call it square. Rumor has it Baretta has his eye on Stan Tweety. Tweety, an old school, watch and floor the pedal guy has decided to raise the stakes by installing a new shifter and new electronics in his hot rod. The opener was a learning curve but once the man gets his gears in syinch, lookout TE's. TE Event Champion Bill Mcguinn, driving with No Clue (a chevy man), is certainly not clueless about racing and is straing the season as points
leader for his class.

Despite feeling the black void made by his advisary, 2008 ME World Champion Rick Baretta leaving the class (moving up to TE), Prigmore, former ME 2007 World Champion, focused on getting the ME title back and tucked the season opener win under his belt.

This is the first race I have seen where Stock Eliminators dominated the field numbers, with the highest boat count. Jay Johnston, is not racing Just For Fun, he is racing for trophys and a trophy he got. Roger Silva, former SE World Champion earned second place with an oar. Imagine what he will do when he fixes his motor!

Roger Sayles and his side kick El Bandito rode off into the sunset with the Bronze Man in his hand. River Racers, the backbone of the drag boats, had a few new guys on board but the oldies, but goodies, stole the stage. Out of three Bye runs only one, Chuck Armand, made it to the finals.

PWC2 saw a rookie snag the title. Elizabeth Sayles, wife and crew for RR Roger Sayles, evolved from Rookie to Event Champion within 24 hours.