Race 4 of 6 - The 6th Annual Battle at the Beach

The California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA) held their 6th annual race in Humbolt County. Thanks to Eureka Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat, the CIFCA funny cars were able to make the haul to Samoa Dragstrip for race number 4 of their 6-race series presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports.

The CIFCA Funny Cars ran a Chicago style event with two qualifying rounds and one final. Six funny cars showed up to run the full quarter mile on the 7.50 index. The weather was near perfect with the temperature almost hitting 60. Rick Alvarado took the System 1 Number One Qualifier spot with a very rare perfect 7.500. James Maher qualified in the number two spot with 7.58. Jim Maher & Mike Troxel qualified 3rd & 4th respectively. Troxel put down a solid burnout to win the Mike’s Transmission best burnout award. Kevin Sarginson filled in for Tony Trimp who was unable to attend. Trimp, currently leading the CIFCA points, typically drives the Rough-N-Ready Mustang owned by Harvey Williams. Sarginson did a great job filling some rather large shoes as he won the Enderle best reaction time award with a .003 light and qualified in the 5th position. Shaun Bryan rounded out qualifying with a 7.883.

The final round was set between James Maher, in his 1984 Junior Vibes Ford Tempo and Rick Alvarado in his 1986 Mighty Mouse Corvette. Maher had the starting line advantage with an .034 light to Alvarado’s .054 and at the finish line Maher clocked a 7.529 over Alvarado’s quicker but losing 7.520. The margin of victory was .011 of a second with Maher getting the win light, the Good Vibrations Motorsports best package award and his second redwood Samoa trophy known as the Woody.

Special thanks to Vinny Lombardi and the team at Eureka Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat for hosting the California Independent Funny Car Association at Samoa Dragstrip. The track did a great job prepping the racing surface. It was a very well-organized event, and we can’t wait to do it again next year! Follow CIFCA on Instagram and Facebook. For more info visit www.cifca.com

Thanks to Kurt Borden for the photos!