Race 3 of 6 Thunder Under The Lites 2023

June 10th, 2023 Thunder Under The Lites! By: James Maher

The California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA) held their 3rd race, of their 6-race series, at Redding Motorsports Park. 5 CIFCA Funny Cars showed up for this event and they raced to the 1000ft mark on a 5.90 index. After both rounds of qualifying Jim Maher was the System One #1 qualifier with a 5.94. Rick Alvarado came second with a 5.96 and James Maher third with a 5.97. Mike Troxel & Tony Trimp qualified 4th and 5th respectively.

Into eliminations we had a run-off between 4th & 5th position to see who would earn their spot into the semi-finals. Trimp, after struggling in qualifier, got the win against Troxel and booked their spot into the semi-finals. James was able to get the win against Rick who unfortunately broke on the burnout. On the flip side of the ladder Jim Maher (last year CIFCA’s champ) against Tony (NHRA Heritage Race 7.0 Pro Champ). Jim was off the line first with a .004 light, which earned him the Enderle Quick Reaction Time award, but followed close by Tony’s .010. At the finish line it was Trimp getting there first clocking a 5.902 and the win light over Jim’s 5.955. The margin of victory was .047 of a second and Trimp took home the Good Vibrations Motorsports best package with a very impressive .012.

The final round was set with James Maher, in the Hemi powered Junior Vibes ‘84 Tempo, against Trimp, in the TFX powered Rough-N-Ready ‘65 Mustang. Trimp with the slight starting line advantage .022 to light to Maher’s .028. But by 60ft it was all over as Maher spun the tires. While Trimp ran it out to a 5.917 and claimed their first win of the 2023 season. The Rough-N-Ready team lead the CIFCA points presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports.

Special thanks to Redding Motorsports Park for hosting us. The facility keeps improving every time we race there. We also couldn’t do this without the support of our sponsors, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Enderle Fuel Injection, Control Cables, Mike’s Transmission, System One Filtration, JAZ Products, IMI Hi Torque Starters, Olson Racing Products, SCE Gaskets, & Stith Printing Inc.