2009 California Hot Rod Reunion

Untitled Document

GREEN RUNNER-UP IN STRONG SHOWING

Bakersfield, CA - October 16 - 18, 2009: The 18th edition of the California Hot Rod Reunion is in the record books and for the Top Fuel cars it ended with a very popular win for Rick McGee who got the best of Troy Green in a close final setting low ET of the event in the process. McGee captured his first win since the 2004 CHRR title with a convincing 5.761 (career best ET - low ET of the meet) at 247.38 by beating the 2008 HRHRS champ, Green who ran a game 5.91 at 252.17.

It was no secret that the High Speed Motorsports team has struggled for much of this season so to turn it around at the final race of the season was satisfying to say the least. Going back to what won them the 2008 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Top Fuel Championship, the car responded immediately and with some nice driving by Green, good tuning calls and a little racing luck they made their first final since their Bowling Green, KY win.

After qualifying #2 with a first career best 5.862, McGee went on beat Ed Schwartz, Adam Sorokin and Rick Williamson to earn a spot in the final. Green came out of the #5 hole to get the best of Denver Schutz, Rick Rogers and Brett Harris to meet McGee for the 6 PM showdown.

The team is already contemplating the changes that will be made over the winter in preparation to take a shot at the 2010 championship which begins with the March Meet at Bakersfield.

High Speed Motorsports wish to thank their loyal supporters for the role they played in helping them win this championship; Mastercam, Cad-Cam Consulting, Highspeed Steel Treating, SilverThin Bearings, RMS Healthcare, A & A Precision CNC, Donovan Engineering, Howard's Rods, The Blower Shop, East-West Clutches, Arias Pistons, SCE Gaskets, Titan Speed Eng., Dyda Race Engineering, Hoosier Tires West, C&C Automotive, NGK spark plugs and BTs Designs.

For this event there were only two qualifying sessions - the first scheduled for 2 PM Friday afternoon. About 1 PM the team warmed up the car. Troy Green in the seat flanked by Walt Stevens and Todd Shappie.

Rian Kono and Sean Bellemeur set the timing.

Crew Chief Brett Johansen did his tweaks to the injector.

After switching over from alcohol to nitro the final adjustments were made.

Friday - Qualifying Session One

3:15 p.m. After some timely delays (fog in the morning = wet track delay plus two crashes) the first of only two qualifying sessions got under way.

Johansen and Kono checked out the track conditions prior to the first pair.

Assigned the left lane, Green was paired with Mark Malde.

Under partly cloudy skies Green made his first burnout of the weekend.

An in demand 2009 CHRR Honoree Walt Stevens was still able to do his job as the front man for Green's backups.

The car responded nicely at the hit and carded good early numbers.

Nipping some ring lands in the lights, Green carded a nice baseline 5.975 at 254.45. The tune-up changes implemented since their last outing appeared to be working.

Saturday morning was tied up doing an engine swap as the ring land burnt in session one caused a rod bearing to spin and that Donovan was hurt beyond immediate repair.

Johansen prepared the spare bullet while the others removed the damaged one.

In the early days when a typical Top Fuel crew was 3 people one needed an engine hoist to do a swap. Today you literally muscle them in and out.

Waiting for the new engine to be readied Green was freed up to do an autograph session.

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 Green was solidly in the field in the #5 spot but they wanted the #1 spot.

In the right lane for session two Green was paired with Jim Murphy.

Green clicked it early to a 6.071 at 200.66 which left him in the #5 qualifying position.

Final Top Fuel Qualifying

1 - Brett Harris 5.809 @ 252.17
2 - Rick McGee 5.862 @ 245.03
3 - Rick Williamson 5.885 @ 237.90
4 - Rick Rogers 5.910 @ 255.75
5 - Troy Green 5.977 @ 254.45
6 - Jim Murphy 5.978 @ 250.97
7 - Adam Sorokin 6.041 @ 225.11
8 - Brad Thompson 6.067 @ 199.33

9 - Mark Hyla 6.105 @ 211.56
10 - Terry Cox 6.106 @ 235.78
11 - Brendan Murry 6.151 @ 186.87
12 - Denver Schutz 6.285 @ 242.91
13 - Mark Malde 6.418 @ 214.79
14 - Mike McClennan 6.460 @ 184.53
15 - Ed Schwartz 6.846 @ 185.26
16 - Mike Chrisman 8.217 @ 107.97

DNQ - Rick White 8.369 @ 105.57

After the second qualifying session HSMS hosted their annual sponsor appreciation catered luncheon for about 100 invited guests. Prime hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and all the fixings was a real treat for all.