Boat
IHBA: Bakersfield inaugural event preview
April 16, 2001 (Austin, TX) --- Bakersfield, California has a history of speed on land and water going back almost five decades. When it comes to Bakersfield and liquid horsepower few events will be able to match the excitement level produced on ...
Edited: Dec 23, 2003, 6:41 AM
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April 16, 2001 (Austin, TX) --- Bakersfield, California has a history of speed on land and water going back almost five decades. When it comes to Bakersfield and liquid horsepower few events will be able to match the excitement level produced on Lake Ming when after a six year hiatus the roar of Top Fuel Hydros will once again rumble across the water, May 4-6, 2001, at the Inaugural IHBA Western Fuel Nationals. The second IHBA national event of the 12 event national tour will feature top professional drag boat racers vying for valuable IHBA national points to solidify their early season position.
"After six years the Top Fuel Hydros are coming back to Bakersfield. This is my backyard so I can't wait to get out on Lake Ming and run for my sponsors and the fans. Lake Ming is set up for exciting racing. It will be flat out wild. My brother (Mike) and I developed a twin prop system that we think will raise the safety level even higher and give us some great performance abilities. This is the most impressive sport I've ever seen and I can't wait to get out on the lake," said Dwayne Patton co-owner and driver of Wildside Top Fuel Hydro.
"One of the major factors that is associated with the IHBA Western Fuel Nationals is the sense of history that goes along with the event. There have been high performance drag boat races in the area since 1950 and we are excited that the IHBA will be able to bring back the Top Fuel Hydro class and carry the torch for the sport heading into 2001. Fans will get a chance to see some of the fastest side by side racing on the tour when our race teams come to town," said Doug Fuqua, IHBA Chief Marketing Officer.
One of the highlights of the event is the kick-off party at the Rio Bravo Hotel on Friday night. The event is free to the public and various race teams will have their 240 mph hydro speed demons on display so fans can get up close and personal before the teams take to the lake on Saturday morning. This event is also a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
Tickets for the Inaugural IHBA Western Fuel Nationals range in price from $10 to $45 and can be purchased online at www.iqmotorsports.com. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Speedvision will televise the event on July 15th and July 22nd (11:00 a.m. EST). Each show will be re-broadcast July 18th and July 25th at 3:30 p.m. EST, respectively.
The International Hot Boat Association (IHBA) is the premier sanctioning association for drag boat racing in the United States. The IHBA is dedicated to producing top-level motor sports events across the country by sanctioning 16 events at the national and divisional levels. The 2001 IHBA national series is a 12-event tour, with a $1.5 million purse, reaching over 300,000 fans, and culminating with the crowning of the IHBA World Championship at Firebird International Raceway. Log onto the IHBA website for more information www.ihbaracing.com
-IHBA-
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