Ground Zero: Take Two

Race Report

June 21, 2003

June 21, 2003 (Top Gun Raceway): The California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA) made their annual trek to Fallon, NV. The DragParts.com points standings would shuffle as teams went from zero to hero and visa versa.

Dennis Murphy of Simi Valley won the season opener with Jack Beckman at the wheel but lost in the first round at the following race. He would redeem himself this weekend with another trip to the final round. Beckman qualified the Ground Zero machine with a 7.512 but was edged out by Dennis La Charite with a 7.511 for the pole. Val Richards, who qualified third with a 7.523, would make his first final round appearance.

Richards recorded a rare perfect 7.500 in the opening frame. The Benjamin, UT based driver then slipped past an out-of-shape Sean Dale. In the semis, the Rookie sent Jim Maher’s Good Vibrations packing earning him a date with Beckman in the money round.

Beckman steadily disposed of his competition starting with the wild painted Willys of Jim & Shane Westring. He then was on the receiving end of a red light courtesy of Jeff Seraphine. Chill Scardino gave the Murphy/ Beckman combo a run for their money in the semis but came up short on 7.58 – 7.67 decision.

8858 Painter Ave * Whittier, CA 90602 * 562/945-9730 * cifca.com

The final was decided at the start when Richards rolled the beams and went red (.184) while Beckman drove it out the back door and into the winner’s circle. The Ground Zero team narrowly regained the DragParts.com points lead over Maher who is followed closely by La Charite.

Jeff Seraphine won the Good Vibrations Best Package award (.049) while Michael Irwin smoked the field enroute to winning the Perma-Cool Burnout Challenge. Maher took home the Enderle Quick Reaction Time bucks (.409).

Special thanks to the following event sponsors: Cashmen Equipment, Berry Hinckley, Truck Parts & Equipment, and Worthen Kenworth. –Jim Maher

8858 Painter Ave * Whittier, CA 90602 * 562/945-9730 * cifca.com