May 6, 2008

From the CDBA:  The CDBA will be offering a test & Tune Friday July 11th at the Dexter Reservoir in Lowell, OR. Test & Tune cost is $150.  If possible, please RSVP for test & Tune to Ginger so we can get an idea on attendance.  This is something new for our organization and if successful, we'd like to make it a regular part of our schedule.  This race is co-sanctioned with the IHBA.  It is a Division 1 points race. All brackets and PCE classes will be offered.  Please RSVP to Andy Haavisto fro PCE attendance/questions.  Any Pro boats that show may run exhibition. Racers may enter the park at 8am Thursday, July 10.  There has been racing there for over 30 years! Dexter is one of the nicest tracks in the country. We invite all of you to attend!   For lodging info, please visit the CDBA website www.cdbaracing.com. 

You may also contact:  Andy Erskine  541-771-1370    liquidinsanity@3erskines.com,
Ginger & Andy Haavisto 541-923-2323 acceledm@coinet.com  ,
Sparky Rose  541-461-3545   rosesparks@aol.com

May 6, 2008 

From NEC: Rules to be observed for the Red Bluff Race:

For your safety and the safety everyone else, please help us comply with The US Forest Service requirements. This year we will have several safety officers on site evaluating our program and here are a few rules that must be exercised. You must meet these conditions or will not be able to pit.

1.       All teams must have some sort of underlying underneath their boat at all times while in their pits. A tarp or some sort of a vinyl material that would catch any spills of fuel or petroleum products. Indoor outdoor rugs are not expectable. The material must keep the liquids from penetrating the ground.

2.       2.  All race teams must have a Fire extinguisher visibly placed in their pits. Do not place the extinguisher near the flammables, because you cannot get to it in case that flammable bursts in to flames, but rather locate them in an outer extremity of your pits so it is accessible.

3.       3.  All race teams must store their fuel containers inside the trailer or in the back of the pickups with some sort of containment underneath them. (i.e. you can’t have them on the ground next to your BBQ.)

4.       4.  No smoking will be permitted in your immediate pit area and No Smoking signs must be displayed.

We We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to safe and environmentally friendly event.

NEC Management.

April 15, 2008
Fuel at Lakefest
There definitely will be fuel at Phoenix.  It will be VP for this race.  As of right now, we do not have a fuel contingency sponsor or a fuel deal. 
TOP FUEL teams, you will need to bring your own nitro.

April 15, 2008
IHBA Drag boat races in Chowchilla California:
The race in Chowchilla looks good again!  We should know this week.
We will keep you posted. 
 
April 7, 2008
IHBA Drag boat races in Chowchilla California:
The Chowchilla Lions Club has cancelled the contract for the drag boat races at the Berenda Reservoir in Chowchilla, California. 
We (the IHBA) have been trying to find another way for the race to continue in Chowchilla, but it looks doubtful at this time.  
 

April 3, 2008
IHBA Season Opener LAKEFEST 08:  FIREBIRD INT'L RACEWAY
Registration will open at 12 noon Thursday April 24.
Pits open at 1pm (must register/get passes before pitting)
Registration will be open 7am to 6pm Friday & 7a-9a Saturday.
Test & Tune is Friday April 25.
Pre registration ends April 11.  To be pre registered, your registration paperwork & payment must be at the IHBA by 5p/mst April 11.
 
March 18, 2008
RACERS... If you want to be included in the next issue of The Liquid Quarter Mile please fill out the 2008 Questionaire from the IHBA home page
and return it to the IHBA office by this Friday!  We'd like to highlight as many of you as possible in the next Pro & Sportsman issues!  Its a great way to get your sponsors in print for free!
Email completed form back to ihba@aol.com or fax to 505-869-0010. 
Thank you!  Have an awesome week!
 
MARCH 12, 2008
RADIO HEADSETS IN HELMETS
The IHBA office has been getting some calls from racers who are using non-approved/homemade headsets in their helmets. These can lead to extensive head trauma and/or death. If you have such a device, you need to get the proper helmet speakers or ear buds.

MARCH 6, 2008
2007 IHBA SEASON TV SHOW DVDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
Choose your favorite television show of the 2007 Lucas Oil IHBA Drag Boat Racing Series or get the 13 show set to enjoy in the comfort of your home (or race shop)!
Two shows from Red Bluff, Chowchilla, Marble Falls, San Diego and four from the World Finals, plus a 2007 Season in Review!  Call the IHBA office today 505-869-0005 to place your order or fill out an order form from The Liquid Quarter Mile! 
Also, if you were at the IHBA Championship Banquet in January and would like to order the "FAMOUS AMOS" video or the banquet video, call the IHBA office today!  505-869-0005
 
MARCH 6, 2008
FINAL 2008 PRO LIMITED 1&2 CHANGES:
Refer to rule book for the rest of the class rules
2008 IHBA PRO LIMITED ONE RULES 

1. No aluminum blocks, blocks, must be standard OEM bore spacing. 

2. Naturally aspirated ( unblown).

3. Maximum 482 cubic inch limit.

4. Single 4 barrel carburetor, no split carburetors allowed.

5. Standard production after market cast iron or aluminum 

intake manifolds allowed. No sheet metal intake manifolds allowed.

6. No welding or epoxy in intake manifolds.

7. Cast iron OEM cylinder heads porting is allowed. No 

welding or epoxy in heads (except for repairs limited 

to one intake port per head).

8. After market cast iron heads rules the same as

aluminum cylinder heads 

9. Dry sumps or vacuum pumps allowed (Not both)

10. Belt driven distributors allowed.

11. Aluminum cylinder heads:

As cast conventional/Siamese head only, no spread port

or symmetrical port heads allowed. Minimum 

Combustion chamber 98cc for chevys, 70cc for Fords

and Mopars. No pro-stock cylinder heads allowed.

Minimal porting allowed for gasket match and bowl

Blend purposes. Intake gasket match shall not exceed

one (1) inch into port. Maximum three quarters (3/4)

inch porting allowed from valve seat inward for bowl

blending purposes.No heads allowed with a valve angle 

less than twenty (20) degrees.

12. New heads must be approved by IHBA. 

13. Race gas only.

14. No nitrous allowed.

15. No two or three speed transmissions allowed.

16. Gear reductions allowed for jet boats.

2008 IHBA PRO LIMITED TWO RULES 

1. Naturally aspirated (unblown)

2. Max 482 cubic inches standard OEM bore spacing.

3. Max 2 valves per cylinder .

4. No aluminum blocks.

5. Any style heads ( as cast intake and exhaust ports for

spread port heads).Minimal porting allowed for gasket 

match and bowl blend purposes.Intake gasket match 

shall not exceed one (1) inch into port.Maximum three

quarters (3/4) inch porting allowed from valve seat 

inward for bowl blending purposes.

Porting allowed on OEM style conventional Siamese 

heads, Combustion chamber volume 80cc minimum 

for Siamese heads.

6. Gear reduction drives allowed for jet boats.

7. Single 4 barrel carburetor only.

8. No split body carburetors allowed.

9. Dry sumps and vacuum pumps allowed.

10. Race gasoline only.

11. No nitrous allowed.

12. Transmissions allowed 

MARCH 5, 2008
08 DRIVER QUESTIONAIRES:
Racers!  Send in your 2008 Driver Profile Questionaire to be included in the next issues of The Liquid Quarter Mile!  A link to the form is on the home page or call the office to have one faxed.  Office # is 505-869-0005
 
MARCH 5, 2008
RULEBOOKS:
The Rule Books are ready! We will begin mailing a Rule Book, patch and stickers to current IHBA members today!
 
MARCH 4, 2008
MASTER CUT OFFS in 2008:
An electrical power cut off switch (one only) must be installed near the batteries and be easily accessible from the outside of the boat.  This cut off switch must be connected to the positive side of the electrical system and must stop all electrical functions.  The "OFF" position must be clearly indicated with the word "OFF".  If the switch is a push/pull type, "push" must be the action for shutting off the electrical system.  (Pull to turn it on.)  Any rods or cables used to activate the switch must be a minimum of 1/8 inch diameter.  Plastic or key switches prohibited.  The power cut off switch must be placed in a location so if there's a fire in the engine, drivers area or compartment, rescue crew or track officials can reach it.
 
FEBRUARY 29, 2008
TONIGHT ON "SHOCKWAVE"
Tonight's episode of "Shockwave" will include a segment on drag boat racer Mark Atkinson. "Shockwave" airs on The History Channel.  We're told it will air at 9pm pacific time and 8pm eastern... check your local listings to confirm the time in your area!
 
FEBRUARY 29, 2008
ATTENTION RACERS: To clarify... starting in 2008, open boat and capsule boat drivers will be required to have radio receivers.  Go to IHBA website home page for info on the actual receivers.   
 
FEBRUARY 28, 2008
ATTENTION RACERS: Radio receivers will be required in 2008
After 25 years of the starter yelling to drivers all day, starting in 2008, drivers will be required to have radio receivers.  Through the years we have found it to be very important for the starter to communicate to drivers for many reasons; the most common to "give a thumbs up when ready" and "watch the lights".  Other reasons include:  if your boat is setting too low in the water and a driver turns on the bilge pump, the starter can let him/her know if water is coming out of the boat.  Also, if a scoop or head cover is on, or after the starter starts the clock, if there's a fire or fuel line spraying fuel, the starter can let that driver know.
Usually, everything is perfect, but there are situations where it will be more helpful for the starter and rescue to be able to communicate to a driver.  If rescue red lights the course after the lights have been activated, for a racer seeing a red light isn't always enough.  The starter can communicate red lights, tell the drivers to shut down or to hold on, that we are resetting the clock.  Rescue will also be able to send communication to the receivers.  Even after a run, drivers need to leave in their ear piece.  If a racer's boat is taking on water, or if there's a fire or another problem, rescue can ask "Boat 611 - are you OK?  Hold up your hand if things are OK, wave your arms if not."  Having the extra communication with drivers, rescue can have additional information when approaching a boat.  It could help prevent a sunk boat or extra fire damage.  On the IHBA home page, there is a link to radio information.
 
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
Capsule Orientation:
If you haven't heard, there will be a capsule orientation in Modesto, California this Saturday February 23. This is for drivers and also crew, since it's a good idea for crew to be familiar with the breathing systems.  Its even in an enclosed pool with warm water!
Contact Gary Hendrix for details:  209-605-0078
 
FEBRUARY 18, 2008
Richard Mead and Mike Beard, please contact the IHBA office at 505-869-0005
 
FEBRUARY 7, 2008
National Tech Director contact info:
To contact IHBA National Tech Director John Flores, you can email him at cpracing@cox.net

JANUARY 30, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007 AWARD RECIPIENTS!
And THANK YOU to all the IHBA racers for a great 2007!!