IHBA: Chowchilla preview

June 5, 2001 (Austin, TX) --- With three races in the books the IHBA season is turning into one of the hottest ever. The four-second barrier was shattered in Red Bluff, CA by TFH racer Dwayne Patton, defending champions are trying to reassert themselves, and young stars are moving to the forefront. The IHBA Hot Summer Nationals, June 15-17, at the Berenda Reservoir should further turn up the temperature for drag boat racing fans.

" Our goal every weekend is to win. We've come close with three semi-final finishes in Phoenix, Bakersfield, and Red Bluff, but hopefully in our own backyard we can get into the winner's circle. Our boat has been running quick and fast but Top Alcohol Flats are the Funny Cars of drag boat racing so the ride is wild from the starting line to the finish line every time. We should put on a good show in Chowchilla and hopefully we can come out with a win," said Top Alcohol Flat racer Eric Morris.

Morris, of Madera, CA, who drives the Bad Influence Top Alcohol Flat has been the number one qualifier in two of the three season opening events (Phoenix and Bakersfield) and he has fallen in the semi-final round at all three events. He is currently in 4th place in the IHBA Top Alcohol Flat point standings with 1313 points.

One of the highlights of the IHBA Hot Summer Nationals is the Friday Night Thunder, June 15, at the Save Mart Supermarket in Chowchilla from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. 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 water on Saturday morning.

Tickets for the IHBA Hot Summer Nationals range in price from $20 to $40 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 August 12th and August 19th (11:00 a.m. EST). Each show will be re-broadcast August 15th and August 22nd 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.

Event: Hot Summer Nationals, the 4th national event of the 12 event IHBA National Series.

Location: Berenda Reservoir, Chowchilla, CA, located 40 miles north of Fresno.

Date: June 15-17, 2001

Purse: Over $100,000 in cash and contingency

Classes: Pro Classes: Top Fuel Hydro, Top Alcohol Hydro, Top Alcohol Flat, Pro Mod, Pro Comp Eliminator, Pro Gas Flat. Eliminator Classes: Pro Eliminator, Top Eliminator, Modified Eliminator, Stock Eliminator, River Racer, Personal Watercraft.

Schedule: Friday, June 15 Gates open at 10 a.m. Racer registration 10 a.m. Friday Night Thunder, Save Mart Supermarket, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, June 16 Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying begins 9 a.m. Sunday, June 17 Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

Tickets: Saturday, $20; Sunday, $25; Two Day Pass, $40. Kids 12 and under free with paying adult. Spectator parking $5/day. RV parking $50/day plus admission tickets. Tickets can be purchased online at www.iqmotorsports.com

Television: Event telecast Speedvision, August 12th and August 19th at 11:00 a.m. EST. Each show will be rebroadcast August 15th and August 22nd at 3:30 p.m. EST, respectively.

-IHBA