Kevin burgess in action.
For the third day in a row Arizona heat greeted thousands of IHBA drag boat fans, and the racers rewarded the crowd with a great final day of racing. Top Fuel opened eliminations with a great pair on the holding rope. The 2006 World Champion owner, “Fast” Eddie Knox, and the all-new Centurion Boats “Problem Child” now wheeled by Kevin Burgess, was lined up with Silvey and the “Hot Licks.”
Knox showed up at Firebird with what many believe to be the most impressive operation in drag boat racing. From the all-new Centurion Boats rig, new “Bullet” style boat, and a war chest of parts, the gang from Cathedral City, CA, certainly look to challenge for the ‘08 title. On this day, however, a combination of new-boat blues and the consistently fast “Hot Licks” boat ended Burgess’s day as Silvey pulled away to a belt tossing 5.03/209-mph win. The big red “Speed Sport” boat from St. Louis would be waiting for Silvey and the “Hot Licks” in the final.
After a great day of non-stop action, only two fuel boats were left on the rope, and Haas appeared to be the favorite over Silvey. As the lights came down Silvey left first (.140 to .274 R/T) and pulled away to a 4.98 to 5.06 triumph for his first IHBA Top Fuel win and the early 2008 points lead. A fire in Silvey’s boat just added to the excitement of the win.
Top Alcohol Hydro was a battle all weekend with a great field of boats. World Champion Kent Price and his “Black Draggin” looked unbeatable early on, but as the weekend wore on Mike Fry and his beautiful “Mean Streak” got faster and faster. By the time they had worked their way to the final, the gap had closed with Price carding a 5.47 best and good friend Fry right there with a 5.48 best, making the final a pick ‘em.