James Maher clinches first CIFCA Championship

CIFCA Governor’s Cup Recap Submitted by: James Maher September 25, 2018 The CIFCA Funny Cars at the 48th Annual Governor’s Cup

The California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA) held their final race of the 2018 season at Sacramento Raceway Park during the Annual Governor’s Cup. This event resulted in the best CIFCA show of 2018 with 10 teams vying for 8 spots and Championship points.

Qualifying went as followed. Tony Trimp, who was 2 points behind current CIFCA points leader James Maher, was the System One Number Qualifier as he put up a 7.515 on the 7.50 index. That was enough to tie Maher going into eliminations. Maher took number two with a 7.542. Jim Currie took the #3 spot with a 7.561 on only 1 qualifying run. Joacim Ljungberg, who traveled all the way from Sweden, took the #4 spot with a 7.601 and the Control Cables Longest Distance award. Ken Breneisen followed with a 7.603 which claimed him the Aeromotive Revolving Qualifier Award. Mike Troxel and Shaun Bryan qualified 6th and 7th respectively. Pete Ortiz finished off the field in the number eight spot after run a 7.75 and he also won the Mike’s Transmission’s Burnout Contest. Bob Sanguino & Rick Alvarado barely missed the 8 car field.

Ken Breneisen & Tony Trimp faced off round one of eliminations. Breneisen gave it everything he had by cutting a .007 light, which was good enough for the Enderle Quick Reaction time, but ended up going a little too quick on the top end running a 7.494 on the 7.50 index. Troxel & Currie also had a close race in round one. Currie’s 7.513 defeated Troxel’s 7.495. On the flip slide of the ladder Maher and Bryan lined up. Maher clicked a 7.548 to Bryan’s 7.906. Ljungberg and Ortiz had a little peddle fest resulting in Ljungberg clocking a 7.566 and defeating Ortiz’s 7.624.

Trimp was supposed to face Currie in the semi-final. Currie was unable to make the call but Ortiz was able to fill in. Ortiz cut a .057 light to Trimp’s .113 but on the big end it was Trimp coming out on top 7.897 to Ortiz’s 7.977. The margin of victory was only .0248. It was USA vs Sweden on the other side of the ladder. Maher was out of the gate first and never looked back clocking a 7.550 to Ljungberg’s 7.702.

To finish off the night we had Trimp & Maher running for the 2018 CIFCA Championship. The winner would take home all the marbles. Maher in his Jr Vibes 1984 Ford Tempo powered by 504 cubic inch Keith Black Hemi was ready for Tony Trimp in the Happy Hour 1986 Corvette powered by a 598 cubic inch big block Chevy. Maher was out of the gate first with a .027 light to Trimp’s respectable .044. Maher clocked the win light on the big end with a 7.567 to defeated Trimp’s 7.759. James Maher clinched his first CIFCA Championship & first Governor’s Cup Trophy!

Thanks to all of our sponsors for supporting CIFCA this season. Good Vibrations Motorsports, Aeromotive Fuel Systems, Enderle Fuel injection, Billet Connection, Mike’s Transmission, SCE Gaskets, System One Fuel Filters, Control Cables Inc, and Stith Printing Inc. Special thanks to the Smith family at Sacramento Raceway for hosting the circuit. Finally thank you to all the CIFCA teams who raced with us this year so far. We will see everyone in 2019!