Luck was the name of the game in the semi finals as both Verstuyft and Wilson advanced via the red light. Silvey, in Dennis Gibson’s “Bullet” tossed away a great 4.92 to the “Chickens” 5.02, and McClellan wasted a 4.94 to the now sentimental favorite Wilson who ran a 5.12. Verstuyft would be making his third straight final round appearance at the World Finals as a heavy favorite, but Wilson had thousands of Firebird fans rooting for the Cinderella finish.
As the sun set in the Arizona desert the two red fuelers were on the rope and ready for battle. The starting system was activated and both nitro guzzling hydros were loaded for bear, but Wilson reacted too quickly. He tried to pedal the “Rocket”, but it was too late as the dreaded red bulb came on, and ended the chance for a storybook finish as Verstuyft roared to his second win in three years with a great 4.92 @ 212 mph win. Congratulations should go out to all the IHBA drag boat racers for putting on a memorable Silver Anniversary event.
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Sportsman Results
In Blown Flatbottom competition Oklahoma racer Ken Singleton makes |
Kent Price's all black "Black Draggin Blown Alky Hydro took home the trophy and the cash at Firebird. He also won the 2007 IHBA World Championship for the class. |
Top Alcohol Flatbottom class is the equivalent of asphalt drag racing's blown altered class and one of DRO's favorite classes. We remember when there were still blown fuel flats.(sigh) Congrats to Don Bausher and “Habit Forming” for his win at firebird.
Pro Mod on water is just like the class is on asphalt in the sense that you will see a lot of different engine and hull combinations. The final round which was won by Scott Loomis driving “Crapshoot” was a classic example. |
Pro Comp Ray Florez “Head over Heels” |
TE- Jim Dunn “Mojo”
ME- Jeffrey Gibson “Nut-n-Up”
SE- Tom Bandy “Hallet hath No Fury”
River Racer- Bobby Laster “Long Time Coming”