Bakersfield, CA - October 12-14, 2007: The 16th NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion lived up to its star billing in spades. From the opening of the gates on Friday, record crowds filled Famoso Raceway and considering this is one of the two premier nostalgia drag racing events in the country, the teams came here loaded for bear with one thought in mind - winning including the two Jack Harris Racing fuelers.

The 35,000+ fans that packed the facility over the three-day event were treated to over 400 race cars including 21 of the countries best Top Fuel dragsters including Paso Posse entry driven by Jack Harris. Coming into the race Harris was confident the car would run well but concerned about its consistency. The team had been plagued with various problems all season and every time they go out they hope they are over them. But that didn't happen here.

After qualifying #10 with a 5.932 at 230.65 the Paso Posse car suffered another first round loss thus bringing the 2007 season to a close and leaving John Rodeck et al to ponder how to approach 2008.

More of the story and photos below.

 

On Friday the first qualifying session was scheduled to go off at 3:00PM and it did. But at 3:10PM, after five Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragsters completed their first qualifying runs, rain postponed the completion of the program for the day. The remaining cars (including Harris) were scheduled to take their first attempt at At 10:00AM on Saturday.

 

 

Saturday - Qualifying Session One

Friday's rain lingered until early Saturday so the 10:00AM schedule was moved to noon.

 

Prior to the first session Paso Posse crew member Henry Walther took a tour of the track and deemed it good to go.

 

Paired with Rick Williamson, Harris does his first burnout of the weekend.

 

Henry Walther backs Jack up from his burnout.

 

 

Harris moves into the staging beams.

 

The car didn't move as hard as it should and that problem let to sever tire shake forcing Harris to shut off to a 8.597 at 101.10. They would have to do much better than that to make the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a change in the clutch can, tune-up and tires Harris had one last shot to make the show.

 

 

 

 

Harris backs up with Mark Malde in the other lane.

 

The car left better this time.....

 

 

 

 

 

Harris kept opening the gap between him and Malde but really started smoking parts on the top end. It was costly but the Paso Posse car was in the show with a 5.932 at 230.65. Malde also had some major engine problems and slowed to a 8.597 at 101.10 which would send him home.

 

 

Unlike the previous two days, Sunday featured Chamber Of Commerce weather which meant the air and track would be near perfect for killer times.

 

Jack spent some time with chassis builder and Jr. Fuel champion Scott Parks.

 

Kirk Elder and 93 year old Marv Rifchin (the M in M&H tires).

 

All weekend tires were an issue with many of the teams including High Speed Motorsports. Even though the new M&H tire, introduced this season, worked very well on most tracks, the surface is so good at Bakersfield that the "chunking" problem reared its ugly head again. By the end of the weekend there were no new tires left. Hopefully Marv Rifchin and John Hashim can find the problem by the March Meet.

 

Marv and Jack with a new tire yet to be chunked.

 

Installing a new set on Brett's car.

 

Maybe this is the answer!

 

 

With the first round of eliminations set for 11:00AM, the team warmed the engine about 10:00AM.

 

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Car owner, John Rodeck

11:05 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 67 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 29.95 inches.

Harris prepares for his round one battle with Denver Schutz.

Harris and Schutz back up from their burnouts.

Tires wiped - final adjustment before Harris stages.

Schutz got a 0.90 jump off the line and Harris gave chase.

 

 

With Schutz well on his way to a strong 5.884 at 251.67 Harris clicked it to a 6.137 at just 171.26.

 

On that note its time to look forward to the 2008 season when Jack Harris Racing will be back with a vengeance. After a somewhat successful 2007 campaign with the Nitro Thunder car, the team is really looking forward to the 50th March Meet.

 

A new addition to the Harris stable for 2008 will be a state-of-the-art Nostalgia Funny Car. It will debut at the 50th March Meet in 2008.

 

 

Brett Harris at the 2007 CHRR