2010 CHRR - Page 1

Untitled Document

Harris Wins TF Crown at Pomona

Bakersfield, CA - 10/18/10: After three days of 90 degree sunshine the race had to be called due to inclement weather after the semi final rounds. Thus the 19th California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California finals in Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car will be finished at the 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals held at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Nov. 10-13. Remaining classes (A/Fuel, Junior Fuel, A/Gas, AA/Gas, 7.0 Pro and Nostalgia Eliminator) divided the purse equally and the lowest elapsed time of each class in the previous round received the 19th California Hot Rod Reunion trophy.

“We stuck it out until Monday but we decided to call off the racing due to severe weather conditions,” said Greg Sharp, Reunion Event Director, “Reunion fans can expect to see more action come November as the CHRR Funny Car and Top Fuel Champions are crowned at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.”

A month later, amid Chamber of Commerce weather, a pair of second-generation Top Fuel drivers, Harris and Adam Sorokin faced off at Pomona for the 2010 CHRR title during the NHRA Finals November 14th. In a good 'ol drag race (until Sorokin's engine damage) Harris captured his first CHRR crown with a 5.748 at 248.48.

Photos and the whole story below.

After warming up the engine for the first qualifying session all that was left to do was wait to be called to the lanes.

After the call the Lucas Oil team shirts were handed out and it was literally off to the races.

Friday - Qualifying Session One

3:15 p.m. After some timely delays because of some oil downs Top Fuel finally got out for its first session. The temperature was in the low 90s which made the track groove pretty narrow.

Harris was paired with Denver Schutz.

After the burnout Carissa Harris backed her dad up.

The car left very hard and had stout bottom end numbers.

Harris was on a great pass until...

At half track the car made a violent move to the left and Harris had his hands full to keep it upright.

After reeling it in, Harris coasted through with a 6.14 at 180.07.

Saturday - Qualifying Session Two

1:30 p.m. Unlike the March Meet which offers three shots to qualify, the CHRR offered only two which put the tuners and drivers to the test as they have less room for error. After the first season, in spite of an aborted run, Harris was sitting #10. The weather remained HOT.

For this session Harris was paired with rookie Keith Burgan.

Once again Big Red left hard.

However, these photos tell a thousand words. At the 100' mark one chute shook out and was deployed by the 300' mark.

In spite of dragging an open chute from the 300' mark on, Harris still managed a 6.46 at 187.85. Brett would end up in th #12 spot and in the unaccustomed roll of starting from the bottom half of the field.

Final Top Fuel Qualifying Order:

01: Jim Murphy - 5.80/230.35
02: Rick White - 5.81/254.16
03: Rick McGee - 5.82/224.88
04: Adam Sorokin - 5.83/239.61
05: Brad Thompson - 5.85/204.59
06: Denver Schutz - 5.92/226.01
07: Rick Williamson - 5.95/242.98
08: Bill Dunlap - 5.95/211.61
09: Troy Green - 5.99/202.15
10: Brendan Murry - 6.06/222.55
11: James Day - 6.06/244.03
12: Brett Harris - 6.14/180.07
13: Mike McClennan - 6.18/217.46
14: Keith Burgan - 6.31/214.84
15: Rick Rogers - 6.35/227.23
16: John Weaver - 6.83/186.95

Saturday - Round One of Eliminations

5:00 p.m. The other difference between the March Meet and CHRR is that the first round of eliminations is run Saturday evening prior to the Cacklefest program.

Big Red into the staging lanes.

For round one Harris was paired with Rick White who was the #2 qualifier. The team had to put their qualifying problems behind them and ramp up for the quicker car.

But luck started leaning their way when White lost fire after his burnout.

Single or not Harris nailed it and and stepped up in a big way.