2026 Kool April Drags – CIFCA Race Report

The California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA) roared into its 42nd season at Redding Motorsports Park, bringing nine blown alcohol Funny Cars to the 1000-foot battleground on the ultra-competitive 5.90 index.

Qualifying – Tight Field, Big Numbers

Jim Maher set the tone early in the Good Vibrations 1974 Mustang II, securing the System 1 Filters #1 Qualifier with a razor-close 5.916. Right behind him, Chaysse Trimp, filling in for his father Tony, put the Rough-N-Ready ’65 Mustang into the #2 spot with a 5.923. Defending CIFCA Champion James Maher, in the 1984 Junior Vibes Tempo, locked down #3 with a 5.929. Ken Breneisen drove the KB Racing 1996 Camaro to #4 at 5.989, while Shaun Bryan placed his ’89 Firenza-bodied Funny Car #5 with a 6.170. Rookie Todd Ross made a solid CIFCA debut in his 2002 Firebird, qualifying #6 at 6.257. Kevin Sarginson returned to the cockpit driving for Ken & Denise Wynn in the Bad Intensions Mustang II, landing #7 with a 6.293, and Chris Bates rounded out the field in the Family Traditions ’85 Shelby Charger with a 6.495.

Special Awards:

Control Cables Longest Tow: Bad Intensions team (San Diego → Redding)

Mike’s Transmission Best Burnout: James Maher

Enderle Best Reaction Time: Kevin Sarginson (.015)

Wayne Lederer Photographer Best RT Q2: Jim Maher (.024)

CP-Carrillo Best Package: Jim Maher (.040 total)

A standout moment came from Rick Alvarado, debuting the new ’37 Topolino “Mighty Mouse” Funny Car. He ripped off a 5.903 in testing—one of the quickest passes of the weekend—but ran into trouble in qualifying with an early leave on pass one and a loose run shut off to 6.703 on pass two.

Eliminations Round One:

Jim Maher vs. Shaun Bryan

Both left strong (.031 vs .039), but Maher drove it through for the win, 6.051 to 6.168.

Kevin Sarginson vs. James Maher

Sarginson went .007 red, handing James Maher the win. Maher backed it up with a stout 5.903.

Chaysse Trimp vs. Todd Ross

Ross left before activation, giving Trimp a free pass. Trimp laid down a strong 5.836.

Ken Breneisen vs. Chris Bates

Bates, recovering from a fuel pump failure in qualifying, made the call. He left first (.050 to .128), but Breneisen drove around him for the win, 5.944 to 6.601.

Semi-Finals – Inches and Thousandths

The semifinals delivered one of the most intense moments of the event—father vs. son.

James Maher vs. Jim Maher

James staged deep and gained a slight edge at the tree (.071 to .088). At the stripe, it was nearly a dead heat—James took the win with a 5.975 over Jim’s quicker but losing 5.969, with a microscopic .011 margin of victory.

Ken Breneisen vs. Chaysse Trimp

Breneisen pushed too hard and went .004 red, handing Trimp the win. Trimp cruised to a 5.896 and a spot in the final.

Final Round – A Rematch Worth the Hype

A repeat of last year’s Kool April Drags final—Chaysse Trimp vs. James Maher.

Trimp delivered on the starting line with a .049 reaction time, while Maher’s .107 proved just enough of a gap to decide the race. At the stripe, Trimp’s 6.012 held off Maher’s quicker but losing 5.969, sealing the victory.

An outstanding kickoff to the 2026 season—tight racing, dramatic moments, and performances right on the 5.90 index. A huge thank you to Jennifer and Tony Trimp and the entire team at Redding Motorsports Park for hosting CIFCA. Next stop: Good Vibrations Motorsports Funny Car Fever, May 22–23 at Redding Motorsports Park