Smooth Water
“Chaplains Blog Book … San Diego Bay Fair … Part I”
Mark & Clifva Budke
We were blessed with an awesome opportunity to be the primary chaplain for the San Diego round. Filling my mentor Jim Jack’s shoes, seemingly impossible, would only be possible with God’s help. Jim and I share the same passion, to share Gods love with anyone who would listen and to pray with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
This was my third San Diego IHBA drag boat race; and each year seems to be more exciting. The first year I received my Racers For Christ chaplain shirt, compliments of Jim Jack. After the TFH finals down by the water side, Jim reached into his bag and pulled out a shirt with my name on it, what an amazing gift I had just received. Thank You, God!
The second year, Mark Workentine in the “Whiskey River II,” TFH showed me my first drag boat crash, I’m pretty sure he didn’t do it just for me. My heart stopped as we ran for Jim’s truck, not knowing what we would find at the out ramp. When we got there we found Mark walking off the Rescue boat and into the ambulance with just a couple of scrapes on the back of his hands. He kept telling the EMT’s, “Really guys, I’ve crashed my sprint car worse than that.” I was amazed, and again thank You God
And for the third year, Kent Price and Fred Hart provided the excitement. On Saturdays qualifying runs, Kent in the TAH “Black Draggin” went for a wild ride at close to 220 mph. We were off and running again, this time for my truck and thankfully when we got to the out ramp, Kent was walking to the ambulance, with a slight limp. Off to the hospital for x-rays for Kent. He told me later that he couldn’t remember ever flying that long in the air. I told him that God was just slowing him up. Thank You God!
A short while later my wife Clifva and I were heading to Kent’s pits to see how he was doing, leaving the in ramp in the good hands of fellow RFC chaplain Pete Kinney and his bride Lora, when Cathy Flores speed up to us and said “We got another crash.” Fred Hart in his TAF “Justice” was the next one to take a wild ride at 160 mph. Cathy dropped us at our truck and we were off again. When we finally got to the out ramp I was hoping to see Fred walking to the ambulance like the others.
God was definitely riding with Fred. When I got closer, Jimmy Todd with Rescue was calling for me to come pray with Fred before they tried to get him out. Fred’s wife Mary, family and crew were there too. We had a good prayer with Fred, and then the Rescue crew did their thing. To JT and the rest of the safety crew “You guys are awesome!” A first class job for sure. Fred you are one tough dude.
After they got Fred out and on the way to the Hospital, I hauled Fred’s capsule over to the safety tech. This was the second capsule I hauled, Kent’s was first and Fred’s was the second, I was glad to help, and then off to the hospital to be with Fred and his family.
While we were waiting there at the hospital, we got news of a special guest that was on her way, also to be with Fred’s family. News sure travels fast in the drag boat community, as it was Phyllis Ermshar. What a pillar of strength Phyllis is, and a heart of gold too. After some more prayers it was back to the drag boats.
A huge highlight in the TFH qualifying was the run that Daryl Ehrlich in the Eddie Knox owned “Problem Child” who laid down a 4.566 second pass at 265.52 mph (the fastest run ever in the history of drag boat racing). Oh My! Holding down the number two spot in qualifying was John Haas in the Lou and Marianne Osman owned “Speed Sports Special,” with a 4.721 pass at 236.24 mph. Filling out the five boat field in the number three spot was Scotty Lumbert in David Kirkland’s “Spirit of Texas” at 5.243 edging out Glen Wilson in the Joe Cassidy owned “Toxic Rocket” for the number four spot with a 5.289. And Jarrett Silvey in the Dennis Gibson owned “Hot Licks Bullet” in the number five spot.
The saltwater gremlins were out, messing with everyone at one time or another. So in the final of TFH, it was the “Speed Sports Special” and the “Spirit of Texas.” John Haas had the “Speed Sports” really singing with a 4.61 at 244.76 mph, but he was just a little too quick off the line and went red. Scotty Lumbert in the “Spirit of Texas” eased across the starting line for the win.
As I said the saltwater gremlins were messing with everyone. The TAH finals were no different, as Mike Fry in the “Meanstreak” had to watch Joe Blattler in the Glenn Sweesy owned “Pure Nasty” power away with a 6.202 at 151.50 mph.
The Pro Mods were the same as number one qualifier Vic Esposito in the “Freakshow,” had to watch Shawn Reed in his “Top Secret” Pro Mod blast a 7.009 at 167.48 for the win. And in the TAF finals saw Tony Scarlata in Steve Westerfield’s “All Lit Up” take the win with a 7.148 over Mark Porter in the “Monster Special.”
The Pro Eliminator final saw a fast Allen Forsyth in the “Animal Instinct” over Tom Roberts “Outta Control.” Top Eliminator went to Bill McGuinn in the “No Clue” boat. The Modified Eliminator final went to Bob Prigmore in his “Abracadabra.” Stock Eliminator went to Jay Johnston in the “Just 4 Fun Too.” And River Racer final went to Rodger Sayles in the “El Bandito.”
My wife and I just can’t say “Thank You” enough to all the racers, boat owners, crew members, family members, IHBA event organizers, and staff for making us feel so welcome and for making us feel like FAMILY.
And of course a huge thank you to Jim and Linda Jack for the opportunity. And thanks to Pete and Lora Kinney for your help.
And above all, THANK YOU GOD!!!! | 
