Drag Racing List - Ishimaru Thunders to Win and New IHBA Top Fuel Record on Mission Bay


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Drag Racing Stories
Sep 23, 2005

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Ishimaru Thunders to Win, New IHBA Top Fuel Record on Mission Bay

By Mark Westfall

Photos by James Drew / Marc Brown

Dale Ishimaru in Eddie Knox's "Problem Child" (Near Lane) and John Haas in the Osman family "Speed Sport Special" thunders to 4.76s (see photo below).

For the past few seasons the Top Fuel Hydro racers of the IHBA have gained a reputation of being a “hit or mostly miss” class. While the Top Alcohol Hydros consistently blasted down the liquid quarter mile with picture perfect mid 5 second passes at speeds of 230 mph, the Top Fuel guys struggled to iron out new boat / twin drive combinations. The fuelers began to show signs of resurgence during the summer swing thru Augusta and Marble Falls, but the assault on the record books at last weekends Thunderboat Regatta in San Diego, California surprised even the most astute drag boat observers. On Sunday afternoon as the last rooster tail settled the Top Fuel racers had firmly re-established themselves as the true “ KINGS of the Sport.”

For the first time an agreement between the Thunderboat Regatta committee and the IHBA was reached to ensure undisturbed water and “headliner” status for the professional drag boat classes. In the past it became common sight for a group of 35 foot Unlimited Hydros, or one of the many other organizations involved in this huge event, racing in water shared with the evil handling drag boats. The risk of hitting a “roller” or racing in rough conditions often scared away many competitors. With the agreement in hand, and the prospects of running at sea level in traction rich dense water, the IHBA racers filled the pits with the largest boat count in the “invitation only” event history.

A large contingent of Navy "Humvees" beach launched the drag boats.

The conditions for Saturday morning’s first qualifier were absolutely perfect: temperature at 70 degrees, lightly blowing ocean air, and a corrected altitude reading of 200 feet BELOW sea level. Mission Bay was calm, and as promised only the Top fuel Hydros, at the holding rope, occupied the water. At 10:00 AM with over 110,000 enthusiastic boat racing fans focusing on the Crown Point portion of the venue Rex Childers in “Whiskey River II” faced off with Daryl Ehrlich in the “Berryman Bullet,” and at the green Ehrlich lifted the blower while Childers launched into a thunderous wheelstand only to come down slightly off course, and Childers wisely shut off to a 8.43 E.T @ 53 MPH pass.

Points leader John Haas in Lou Osmon’s “Speed Sport Special” then lined up with Torrance, CA driver Dale Ishimaru in Eddie Knox’s “Problem Child.” Less than 5 seconds after the green lights flash, IHBA drag boat racing history was made, as the two boats locked in an earth shaking, crowd erupting 4.762 E.T. at 241.30 mph for Haas, and a 4.767 at 234.58 mph for Ishimaru with a two thousands of a second margin at the finish line. The significance of the race included the first ever side by side 4 second time slips, the second and third quickest ETs ever, the closest Top Fuel race, and two drivers putting a leg (needing a second run within 1%) on the late John Hipwell’s 4.90 E.T record in Ron Braaksma’s “Madness.”

The first time side by side 4 second passes were recorded in IHBA history.

While the crowd continued to buzz, Glen Wilson in the radical “Toxic Rocket” from San Francisco, readied for a qualifying attempt along side multi time World Champion Greg Tedesco in the Reno based, Roger Way tuned “Loose Cannon.” The fans were again treated to a great side by side battle as Wilson blasted to the forth quickest pass ever, a great 4.80 E.T. @ 234.02 mph pass , and Tedesco was close behind with a smooth 5.08, 217.96 opener.

Glen Wilson had Joe Cassiday's radical "Toxic Rocket" flying. He ran a career best 4.80 e.t. to qualify third, and advanced to the semi finals.

Three pairs into the opening session, and three boats were poised to snatch the record. One boat remained on the rope, and that one was reining World Champion Jerry Kutz sitting in the world’s fastest (254 mph) boat, the Laughlin Bay Marina Resort “Plumb Crazy.”

TFH World Champion Jerry Kutz brought his newly sponsored "Laughlin Bay Marina Resort /Plumb Crazy" to Mission Bay.

The 2005 season has been a disappointing one for Kutz, and his first run ended with more frustration. The boat was in gear at the start, and slowly crept to the starting line as the tree came down. At the hit the boat dropped cylinders and limped to an off pace 5.43 @ 203.52 run. Bad turned to worse as the parachutes failed to deploy and Kutz ended up on the Government protected marshland. With the low tide quickly arriving, it became apparent that “Plumb Crazy” was done for the day, and would have to be retrieved later that night (at high tide).

Jon Haas was pumped up after his 4.762 in the Amos Saterlee tuned "Speed Sport Special."

The Top Fuel pits were buzzing as the crews prepared for their next attempt scheduled for 4:30 PM. Racers and fans alike were anticipating record breaking performances as the IHBA officials ordered Top Fuel to, “Warm Up.” Six boats were ready (“Plumb Crazy” in the marsh) and the crew chiefs set the boats on “kill,” and the nitro percentage into the high 90’s. At 4:00 PM Shortly after the yellow nitro clouds dissipated, the big boys had arrived in the lanes, and there appeared to be a problem.

The Unlimited / Unlimited Light portion of the show was way behind schedule, and unfortunately did not live up to their promise of being off the water by 4:30 PM. With a strict 5:30 curfew there was no way to run the last session of the professional class drag boats. Racers and fans were sent home disappointed, but with all the fuelers ready (Kutz’s crew engaging in an all night thrash) Sunday’s first round looked to be one of the best ever.

Rex Childers (left) and multi time World TFH Champion Greg Tedesco discuss first round matchups.

On a picture perfect Sunday morning “Racers for Christ” chaplain Jim Jack opened with the morning invocation, followed by the playing of the national anthem. At its conclusion the engines roared to life as Ehrlich in the “Berryman” boat prepared to challenge Ishimaru in the Larry Bless sponsored “Problem Child.” Ehrlich nailed a perfect .000 light , and the “Bullet” was on a great run, when the prop shaft let go, and Ehrlich did a masterful job of saving the boat. Ishimaru blasted by, coupling a great .048 reaction with a record back up run of 4.77 @ 245.72 mph to Ehrlich’s hair raising 5.41 @ 155.30 mph. The Knox/ Ishimaru combination not only claimed the E.T. record, but also were close to the 245.76 speed record, held since 2001 by Duane Patton’s “Wildside.”

Haas then elected to save parts, and after a great launch shut the Amos Saterlee tuned “Speed Sport” down to a 9.76 pass. The next pair of Childers vs. Wilson ended in controversy as Wilson’s “Toxic Rocket” stormed down track, and appeared to be the winner over the again crossed up “Whiskey River.” The crowd anticipated another great number to be posted on the Lucas Oil scoreboard from the “Rocket” (many thought it was better than the earlier 4.80), but no time appeared and the win light was in Childers lane. IHBA determined that the “Toxic Rocket” leaped over the starting beams (causing no E.T. to be recorded) but was the clear winner. Owner Jay Haroutunian and the “Whiskey River” team asked for a re-run, but IHBA officials stood by their decision, and Wilson would move on.

Tedesco then ended round one with another impressive, if not spectacular, 5.07 @ 220 mph run, over the once again hard luck Kutz who exploded a motor just past the starting line. The semi finals would feature Haas vs. Tedesco and Wilson vs. Ishimaru. Tedesco, realizing he was at a performance disadvantage, pushed the tree a little too hard and red- lighted away a nice 5.06 @ 229 mph run against the powerful “Speed Sport” boat. Haas became the second victim of the timing system, and was not given an E.T or speed on a run that looked as good as his earlier 4.76. Both boats failed to get the chutes out in time and both ended up in the marshland. While the “Speed Sport” crew tried to get the boat back to water, they watched as Ishimaru thundered to another great 4.7 pass, this one a 4.78 @ 241 mph over a troubled Wilson. Wilson’s loss and Haas’ win gave the points leading “Speed Sport” gang a 342 point advantage with only the season ending World Finals remaining.

Dale Ishimaru from Torrance, CA, enjoyed the greatest weekend in IHBA Top Fuel history. He ripped off passes of 4.767 ( New World Record), 4.77 & 4.78.

"Fast" Eddie Knox and the crew had a potent tune-up in the "Problem Child."

While the “Problem Child” crew readied their fueler for the finals, the “SSS” gang was still trying to retrieve their beached craft. At 3:00 PM IHBA officials informed the “Problem Child” team that they needed to be in the lanes by 4:00 PM. With no sign of the “Speed Sport” it appeared that Eddie Knox and the “Problem Child” would solo for their first ever Top Fuel win. At 3:25 PM the “Speed Sport” rolled into the pits (it was rumored that 30+ crewmen from several teams CARRIED the boat to the water), and as they rolled by the “Problem Child” camp screamed out “Wait for us Eddie.” Knox and his team assured The Lou Osman “Speed Sport” team that they would wait as long as possible. Amos Saterlee determined that only oil, fuel, and a quick valve check could be accomplished, and at 3:55 PM the thunder of the red “Speed Sport” firing in the pits was heard throughout the venue.

The two boats were in the water shortly after 4:00 PM. The bay was calm, and as the lights came down both boats leapt from the rope, but the “Speed Sports” nose dug in, and as he shut down Ishimaru drove away to an early shut off 5.22 @ 169 mph win. The “Problem Child” team with consecutive runs of 4.767 (world record), 4.77, and 4.78 had turned in the greatest weekend in Top Fuel Hydro history, and established themselves as the team to beat going into the season ending World Finals. With 14 Top Fuel boats entered it should be a WAR!!!!!!

SEE YOU AT THE COORS LIGHT WORLD FINALS, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, NOV. 17-20, 2005. BE THERE!!!!!! (Thanks to Gil Rebilas).

Other weekend results:

TAH

Ted Faggart (winner/broke)

Terry Newton (redlight) 6.413

Ted Faggart and his beautiful "Superstar" locked up the World Championship in the Top Alcohol Hydro class in San Diego.

TAF

Don Bausher (Winner) 6.911 @ 158.20

Don Ermshar 6.919 @ 160.94

Top Alcohol Flat legend Don Ermshar lost a final round 6.91 to 6.91 decision to Don Bausher.

Scott Loomis (Winner) 7.081 @ 161.14

Robert Sims (redlight) 7.068 @ 168.98

Soon to be World Champion Scott Loomis continued to dominate in the "Crapshoot" Pro Mod. His 800+ inch Ford has turned on the win light in ALL but one race in 2005.