Race number one of the MHRA’s 2009 season is in the books. It was an exciting start to the 09 season, with record setting runs and all around close drag racing. It was fun had by all. We ran 6 classes all together witch made for non-stop action all day long.
We started off the day with practice as usual. After a few hours of practice we officially crowned our 2008 class champions by presenting them with their championship trophies.
The MHRA would like to mention the 2008 champions once again.
Bracket Champion: Gray Kirkpatrick
Combined Funny Car: Brain Boudakian
Nitro Top Fuel: Brian Boudakian
Electric Top Fuel: Jim “Rainman” Schauer
Extreme: Chris Smith
Congratulations to all our 2008 champions.
On with the racing action starting with qualifying. In the Bracket class it was Ken Jones taking the number one spot with the best reaction time of a .018. Mackie Taylor was number two qualifier with a .019 reaction time.
In the 2-cell class it was Jim Skinner of Vegas Jim Racing setting the pace with a record setting run of 1.5172 at 80.12 mph. Jim would lower that record even more in the first round of eliminations with an incredible 1.4978 at 82.25!!! Gary Kirkpatrick was number two qualifier with a 1.6002 at 80.98 mph.
In the Electric Funny Car class it was Mark Rollings of Vegas Jim Racing taking the number one spot with a blistering 1.5464 at 85.44 mph, Nick Skinner was number two qualifier with a 1.67 at 85.12 mph.
In the Nitro Funny Car class it was Brian Boudakian nabbing the number one spot with a 2.0289 at 66.52 mph, Junior Self took the number two spot with a 2.0755 at 66.52 mph
In the Electric Top Fuel class it was a rookie Coty Richmond taking the number one spot with a 1.5030 at 85.87 mph. This was Coty’s very first race. Jim “Rainman” Schauer was right on Coty’s heals in the number two spot with a 1.5034 at 89.48 mph.
Finally in the Nitro Top Fuel class it was the young gun Austin Hunsaker taking the number one spot with a 1.7481 at 83.25 mph. Glen Hunnel took the number two spot with a 1.8007 at 74.11 mph.
On to eliminations, First up in the bracket class Ken Jones had a by in to the finals where he went against new comer Rosalie C. who took got past Mackie Taylor who broke out. Rosalie would come up with the win light in her very first race.
The 2-cell class started off with a bang when in the first round Jim Skinner set both ends of the record on his by run to the finals. Jim ran a blistering 1.4978 at 82.82 mph. Jim would face the 2-cell funny car of Chris Smith who got by Gary Kirkpatrick in the first round. Jim Skinner would pick up the win with a 1.5535 at 78.91 mph to Chris’s 1.8030 at 73.63 mph.
In the Electric Funny car class number one qualifier Mark Rollings got a by in to the finals where he faced Mike Smith. Mike got around Nick Skinner in the first round when Nick red lit. Mark would take the win over Mike with a 1.6521 at 82.95 mph to Mikes 1.9885 at 50.06 mph. Mike also red lit.
The nitro funny car finals came down between the number one qualifier Brian Boudakian and number four qualifier Mike Self. Mike Self got the win light when Brian red lit. Mike Self ran a 2.03 to Brian’s 2.01.
In the Electric Top Fuel class it was the new comer Coty Richmond going against his teammate Brian Boudakian. Brian would get the when light over Coty when Coty left a little early and turned on the red bulb. Coty ran a 1.5761 to Brian’s 1.68.
Last but not least the Nitro Top Fuel class. The class would see Brian Boudakian taking out the number one qualifier in the second round. That put him in the finals against Brian Hunnel. Brian H. took out Mark R. and Glen H. to make it to the finals. When the lights dropped it would be Brian Boudakian taking the win over Brian H. with a 1.89 to a 2.01.
The 2009 season off to a very good start, records are already being broken, and races are closer than ever. Congratulations to all the winners. They got the early points leads; will they hold them all year???
The next race is Saturday March 21st , 9’ O’clock start time as normal. This race is also an IMDRA Division 7 race. So make sure your there to get those valuable points that go towards the IMDRA National Championship.