In Memory Of Buddha
Photos

Liquid Quiker Qualifies 4th
At the Worlds Finals in Phoenix
and runs a 4.80ET!

With a couple months off from racing gave Ron and Bob plenty of time to fabricate the new clam shell, steering rod, rudder and hardware damaged by Bob’s wild ride at Litchfield. New parts were made, installed and ready to go. Ron and Bob drove the rig out to Phoenix without mishaps or bad weather to encounter and arrived Tuesday morning to a sunny 80 degree Phoenix. The rest of the crew was scheduled to arrive Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. Thursday was spent gong through the motor and getting ready to make the first pass Friday morning.

Well this weekend proved to be extremely busy (not any different than any other race) other than the fact that the B & R pits were full to the brim this past weekend with some very special guests of the team. We welcomed Dan and Donna Elision, Dan is designer of the Liquid Quiker, the Dragonator crew decided to be spectators for the Phoenix race and some other special guests as well. We had “Canadian Guests”. All the way from Ingersoll, ON Canada, Jim & Linda Baylis. Over the past couple of years Jim has done numerous welding of boats parts, for Ron& Bob in his shop in Ingersoll. Since Jim & Linda had never been to a race before, the boys invited them for they’re very first Drag Boat Race. At the end of the weekend I asked them how liked it…they replied that they wouldn’t have missed it for the world!! Also from Canada, we had Terri (Jeff’s significant other).
Jim & Linda Baylis

This was also Terri’s first race as well. She dug right in there with the rest of us over the weekend, helping to clean the boat etc. Lastly, we had Brad Langford(Rick’s son) and Gatlin Dean (my son). The boys, like Terri also dug in and helped over the weekend. Brad being Rick’s “right hand man” and Gatlin being Randall’s right hand man!!

Canada’s “Top Fuel Drivers” Unite in Phoenix, AZ

B & R Racing was also very lucky to be hosts to Todd Paton from Race Pak and his dad Barry & Joni Paton. . Todd is the new “Pro Systems Manager” for Race Pack (COMPETITION SYSTEMS, INC.) based out of Santa Margarita, CA . www.racepak.com  Todd came down for the weekend to assist and train us on our new race pak computer system on the boat. He was also very busy helping out a lot of other teams.

Todd is originally from Paris, ON Canada and is the only “Top Fuel Dragster” owner/driver in Canada…like Ron, is the only “Top Fuel Hydro” owner/driver in Canada.  http://www.toddpaton.com/car.htm    Wow…between Bob, Ron & Todd and then Roger Way & Barry Paton, what an unbelievable amount of history and knowledge about drag racing there was in our pits over the weekend!!

The team was psyched for the first pass in hopes of laying down that big number. With 8 fuel boats and only one pass on Friday, it was going to be tough field. Ronnie started the motor, lid went down, “Kaboom” there went the blower taking the boat a mere 20 feet. Well the rest of the day was spent in making repairs to the damaged cause by that 20 foot pass. By the end of the day, every flat surface was covered with parts be worked and every crew member busy working in to the midnight hour. Ron and Bob were wondering if they had brought enough parts and consumables to make it through the weekend. The highlight of the day was watching Sam, of the Dragonator crew get drenched in oil during the re-assembly process. The Liquid Quiker team sure knows how to show their appreciation from the volunteer help. You can bet Sam stayed clear of that side of the motor for the rest of the weekend.

First pass on Saturday did not show much improvement although the boat managed to go 50feet and at least broke the beam before lifting the blower again. The only consolation was the ability to make 2 passes on Saturday instead of just one. Third time must be the charm. Ron cuts a .070 red light and runs a 2.788et at 216.97mph in the 1/8 mile, finishing 5.02sec in 188.26mph while taking off another blower belt. This gives Liquid Quiker the number 4 qualifying spot for the finals on Sunday. Nice recovery and we still have parts left.

First round Sunday Liquid Quiker is paired up with Rex Childers in Whiskey River. Not having a lot of clock time, Ron needs a good light to make it to the next round. Ron cut a .349 light to Rex’s .142rt, but Liquid Quiker sets another ET record taking the round at 215.56mph in 4.80secs, while loosing another blower belt to Rex’s 5.166et at 201.9mph. Liquid Quiker has made it to the semi-final round. This is defiantly a big boost for the team. They will be running the Glen Wilson’s Toxic Rocket in the next round, some how the team has got to get the blower belts to stay on. Roger Way, we need you best tune for this round.

As the crew watched on the shore of Firebird Lake in anticipation of a good side by race with the Toxic Rocket, Ronnie is in the driver seat watching the clock for his spot to launch the Liquid Quiker, which never came. Toxic rocket left the line, Ron’s clock had gone haywire, and Ron mashes the pedal. Liquid Quiker runs 199.44mph in 4.94sec loosing to Toxic Rockets 5.11 sec. a 191 mph due to a clock malfunction which gave Liquid Quiker a .775 red light. Liquid Quiker still ran a 2.825et and 211.81mph in the 1/8 mile. Unfortunately 2007 was not Liquid Quiker’s year to win at Phoenix..

Liquid Quiker closes its 2007 race season, but what an accomplishment for the team. Each race we have improved either the previous ET or MPH, finishing best times of 4.80ET and 247.72mph. This accomplishment does not come without the help of all our crew members, fellow racers, sponsors, the drag boat associations, race promoters and friends. To all of these people we give special thanks from our team.

Well the holidays are now over and we hope you and your families enjoyed yours. I know Ron was wishing for 2 new blowers for Christmas and Bob was hoping for a Hans’ Devise and more storage in the trailer to haul Ron’s extra parts. We’ll see who gets their wish.
Thanks to all of our sponsors and friends for your continued confidence in us and in our new boat. We look forward to seeing you all in 2008 and a special thanks to our awesome crew for another successful season.

Until we meet again….Thanks.
Bob, Ron & the entire B & R Racing Team