Smooth Water
“Chaplains Blog Book … Marble Falls 2009 … Part I”
Jim & Linda Jack
If you recall, we did not make it to Marble Falls in 2008 as we discovered that our home was flooded, caused by a broken RO pipe in the kitchen when we arrived home from a three week ministry trip to California. This year, on Thursday morning at 7:15 am on our way to the airport in Phoenix, we had a flat tire on Linda’s PT Cruiser half way to Sky Harbor.
It was like a between rounds thrash to pull off the freeway, unload the suitcases, get out the spare tire and tools and change the tire (in balmy 97 degree weather). Yes, I worked up a sweat but we made the swap in about twenty minutes and were at the airport in plenty of time to find out that our plane was going to be delayed an hour and a half. But, thank God, it all worked out and we arrived in Austin no worse for wear.
The IHBA Lakefest in Marble Falls, TX in 2009 was a hit with over one hundred drag boats on hand to rock the Hill Country with track record performances…like the fastest and quickest runs ever recorded in the great state of Texas by a Top Fuel Hydro.
Big runs by the big guns in the big state thrilled the crowd. How about the “Speed Sports” TFH driven by John Haas who recently recorded the quickest run ever in Augusta (4.53 seconds) qualified number one in the six boat field with a great 4.57. Madd Maxx (aka Daryl Ehrlich) in Eddie Knox’s “Problem Child” had no problem negotiating the liquid quarter mile with a spectacular run of 4.70 and a whopping 257.10 mph (actually over the current IHBA TFH speed record held by John Haas at 255 mph in the “Speeds Sports” boat of Lou and Marianne Osman).
Doug Verstuyf showed that he was ready to meet the challenge by legging the “Nitro Chicken” to a 4.76 during qualifying, with both Jarrett Silvey and John White back a ways with 5.0 runs and the “Spirit of Texas” as the slow boat as Scotty Lumbert nearly turned it over on his second run on Saturday.
On Sunday David Kirkland told me on the in ramp that he had the Sunday tune-up and he was right as Scotty drove the “Spirit” boat to a career best of 4.70 while the “Speed Sports” lost the blower belt way before the finish line and slowed to a low five second run. It would have been the quickest ever side-by-side race if Haas could have made it to the finish under full power, as he was on at least a 4.60 something run.
Friday’s Test & Tune got underway with many of the boats hitting the water early. Joel Weber is still trying to get comfortable in Bob Pizza’s “What A Tomato” TAH, but unfortunately for Joel, Bob and the crew, an ear broke off the propeller and put a hole in the bottom of the boat and it sunk…sinking their weekend in Texas, as the boat needed extensive repairs.
Just like I did at the June race at Firebird…I was all set or have some fun with Joel Weber’s twin boys Jaryd and Chase, but unfortunately they did not stick around this time. They brought a football and we were going to play some catch, but maybe we can pick it up in San Diego in the sand on a beautiful beach.
We spent close to an hour with the “Speed Sports” crew on Friday just shooting the breeze and enjoying one another’s company. Linda even took pictures of Lou Osman vacuuming the “Speed Sports” pit area. The boss can do it all and we have the proof to prove it, even with a smile.
It is with a deep heart-felt loss that Friday was the last time I hand the chance of engaging in a lengthy conversation with long-time friend and “Speed Sports” crewman extraordinaire Dan Chittenden. Dan made my weekend by attending chapel service on Sunday morning along with Lou, big Billy and John Hass. Dan who had been attending chapel service this season went to be with the Lord the following Friday while at home working on the nitro motors. God speed my brother, and we will meet again, on the streets of gold, where we won’t even look old.
It was always great to see Gene Hackett, Mike and Tina Boyce, Larry and Tammy Solomon, and Mike Brown (Mike you can come out of the air conditioned trailer now).
Greg Carr and ace crewman Mike Garrett managed to park their big trailer Thursday night at eleven pm in the dark and “between cussing and praying” they parked it perfectly in their normal spot.
Since I did not go to Augusta and High Point, I needed to get caught up on the latest IHBA scuttle butt in the pits so we spent most of Friday just visiting with many of our great friends. The “Spirit of Texas” did some major damage to their Watercraft hull in Augusta, but Wolf came to the rescue and did some mighty fine “warranty” work on David Kirkland’s boat and she was healed up just fine. Not real pretty any more, but seaworthy, and the great times recorded by pilot Scotty Lumbert at this years Lakefest proved that Wolf can make her as good as new. David is a great guy, and we had a nice long talk about stuff.
The “Black Draggin” team provided lunch for us on Friday (thanks Laurie), and the “Hot Licks” chef Stephanie Thompson cooked us some breakfast on Saturday morning (Stephanie also chopped off her hair anticipating the famed heat in Marble Falls). Thanks to ya’ll for feeding us. I also found out that Steve Pugh, of the “Hot Licks” team is the designated prayer man when an RFC chaplain is not present at the ramp. Ya gotta have someone praying when these warriors go into battle. Nice going Steve, and thanks.
Frank Carter told us about the traffic accident he was involved in on his motorcycle awhile back, and he is still healing from some semi-serious wounds. Frank was unable to drive his Pro Mod boat, so he bought an Allison outboard to race. He said the reason for the recent purchase (besides the injuries) was “To keep Carrie off the streets and out of the bars.” He said it, not me.
Vic Esposito and his “Freak Show” Pro Mod showed up with a clutch and I guess he and Mitch figured it out as he won the tough Pro Mod class beating Bryan Sanders in the final. Anytime you beat Bryan, you’ve accomplished something big.
We parked between Vic Esposito’s boat and the David Kirkland’s boat on Sunday and they both brought home the trophy. If anyone wants to save us a parking spot for the next race, please let me know.
Scotty Lumbert was a popular winner in TFH as the Texas fans loved seeing the “Spirit of Texas” lay down a 4.92 and 243 mph in the finale…even though kicking out the rods on that last pass of the weekend. Nice going to all of the “Spirit” crew.
Kent Price eased his way to the TAH winners circle by being obedient to the crews instructions to “Take it easy and after the first bounce, shift it, back off the gas then ease back on the throttle” and he settled for a 5.82 at 202 mph for the win as Buzzy Boase crossed behind Kent and knocking over the finish line light pole.
Mike Fry’s “Mean Streak” TAH lost a blower belt during a qualifying run and that belt coming off saved him (from crashing) and a red light in the first round cost him (from possibly winning the event).
Unfortunately for Don Bausher, after making an incredible 6.49 qualifying run (only the third TAF in the 6.40’s) he crashed in the final but still won with a slowing 6.82 … wow that was the second best run of the weekend for the class. Hometown favorite, Marcus Kinsey was a very popular runner up after beating Jerry Davis on a hole shot in round one. Jerry qualified with a very good 6.88.
Qualifying for PE was perfect for two drivers, as Tom Roberts and Jeff Leuhring both recorded 8.000 runs, with Tom getting the nod for first place by running a faster speed than Jeff. The sportsman winners that I could remember were Brian Schmidl who won PE over a too quick Gary Davis. Dallas Collier in TE over a too quick Steve Prewit. BP won ME over a too quick Greg Carr. And Jay Johnston in SE.
Billy Diaz, Lupe Munguia, and Bass Boat Bill Mason all crashed during the weekend, and only Bill Mason was hospitalized overnight. Get well soon brother.
Many thanks to Bruce and Karen Aumack for the use of their cool condo in Horseshoe Bay, and help at the race. Thanks to the Masterpeace Quartet, (and Margaret Hall) for singing at our two chapel services. Thanks to Tracy Henderson from IHBA and her mom Pam for checking us into Southwest Airlines on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Craig and Beverly Garland for all of their hard work as chaplains. Thanks to chaplain Randy Benes for being their too. And thanks to the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce and all the IHBA crew for putting on another great race…Texas style!
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