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419 Posts
We have seen the Last of IHBA.... Now we will wait for Lucas Oil to find out what the Future of National Drag Boat Racing (Gee: NDBA seems, I Raced in that one before in the 70s). Anyway Charlie announced its demise and as to what will be, we need to wait and see. I think Lucas Oil will stand up and deliver the next generation in a total assn. To Carlie who bought IHBA 9-10 years ago, He did a fine job in bringing the Nations Drag Boats together no matter what your personal thought might be, Good or So So! Charlie also stood the fans up when he raced his Spirit of America, so being a racer in the seat he was aware of all the ingredients necessary to pull Safety as part of the future into the program.
9-10 Years ago Charlie called and we discussed a lot of issues regarding Jet Boats becoming a large part of the IHBA Program. We had a lot of arguments regarding Capsule's under 8.0 second Boats and I told him he would eliminate the entire class of Blown Gas Boats as the Class was then running 7.50s 8.0s and a capsule knocked off 12 Miles per hour and was a $12,000 to $15,000 Investment above and beyond. Most were also non-sponcered & or only had minor sponcers. The Flat-ie's were in the same Boat (pun).... Charlie said it had to be for the overall advancement in Boat Drag Racing and Safety. However a set Capsule Rule which defines the current capsule needs to be looked at. We did look at this and found capsules could be built more affordable and safer by allowing a few minor changes to occure within reasonable perimeters such as a defined size (Allowing complete Jig assembly, Foam Molded Seating and side walls.
A Safety Note I would advise all Capsule Owners: John Force sells a kit for form molding the drivers seat.... This "I think" should also include foamed side walls. This would further protect the driver and provide additional floatation to the capsule's, lessen future back and leg injury's and is cost effective in the build stage.
Dan Nelson did run a 7.6 number and it was allowed as the rule had not yet been fully implemented so the standard was lowered in fairness to rules.
On Friday as I watched the entire Race Program and did see "Charlie's Rule" in full effect and working with Safety in Force... Charlie has left his mark!
Racing. Wow the 9 & 8 second class field was going to be a Full Dog Fight...
These classes were running 8 & 9.00 and the spread was within micro's across the field... It looked like a crap shoot for a Winner.... Every Class was well represented and ready to do business... You started the morning out at an atmospheric equivalent to 500 foot and by Day's End you were at 3,500... That's a tuner's nightmare, yet here they come 8.00...8.03...9.01 and so on.... I left at 1PM Sunday before the finish so the winner's were yet to be.
For me being away for several years and getting to see the decals displayed and the Can't Squirt like a Puppy Banners was a pleasure... and I must Thank You.
To my Okie Brothers... Jim you and your crowd are a Wild and Crazy bunch and I ain't no virgin to it.... why the Sheriff has not locked you'r Asses Up a long time ago is beyond me! Sorry those Prune Pickers sucked your butts into a mountain climb tune up and never told you about it.... I am sure those Golden Boy's just forgot about it... Thanks for the Night Light Show, never seen tune ups used to make flames before.... Thanks for the Hours of Belly Laff's & See ya at Purcell!
As to the World Finals, It provided me with a way to meet Racers from all over the country, put faces to telephone Friends & Dealers I have had for years... Thanks to All Dave Jones/Jeff Jones
9-10 Years ago Charlie called and we discussed a lot of issues regarding Jet Boats becoming a large part of the IHBA Program. We had a lot of arguments regarding Capsule's under 8.0 second Boats and I told him he would eliminate the entire class of Blown Gas Boats as the Class was then running 7.50s 8.0s and a capsule knocked off 12 Miles per hour and was a $12,000 to $15,000 Investment above and beyond. Most were also non-sponcered & or only had minor sponcers. The Flat-ie's were in the same Boat (pun).... Charlie said it had to be for the overall advancement in Boat Drag Racing and Safety. However a set Capsule Rule which defines the current capsule needs to be looked at. We did look at this and found capsules could be built more affordable and safer by allowing a few minor changes to occure within reasonable perimeters such as a defined size (Allowing complete Jig assembly, Foam Molded Seating and side walls.
A Safety Note I would advise all Capsule Owners: John Force sells a kit for form molding the drivers seat.... This "I think" should also include foamed side walls. This would further protect the driver and provide additional floatation to the capsule's, lessen future back and leg injury's and is cost effective in the build stage.
Dan Nelson did run a 7.6 number and it was allowed as the rule had not yet been fully implemented so the standard was lowered in fairness to rules.
On Friday as I watched the entire Race Program and did see "Charlie's Rule" in full effect and working with Safety in Force... Charlie has left his mark!
Racing. Wow the 9 & 8 second class field was going to be a Full Dog Fight...
These classes were running 8 & 9.00 and the spread was within micro's across the field... It looked like a crap shoot for a Winner.... Every Class was well represented and ready to do business... You started the morning out at an atmospheric equivalent to 500 foot and by Day's End you were at 3,500... That's a tuner's nightmare, yet here they come 8.00...8.03...9.01 and so on.... I left at 1PM Sunday before the finish so the winner's were yet to be.
For me being away for several years and getting to see the decals displayed and the Can't Squirt like a Puppy Banners was a pleasure... and I must Thank You.
To my Okie Brothers... Jim you and your crowd are a Wild and Crazy bunch and I ain't no virgin to it.... why the Sheriff has not locked you'r Asses Up a long time ago is beyond me! Sorry those Prune Pickers sucked your butts into a mountain climb tune up and never told you about it.... I am sure those Golden Boy's just forgot about it... Thanks for the Night Light Show, never seen tune ups used to make flames before.... Thanks for the Hours of Belly Laff's & See ya at Purcell!
As to the World Finals, It provided me with a way to meet Racers from all over the country, put faces to telephone Friends & Dealers I have had for years... Thanks to All Dave Jones/Jeff Jones
