Good Vibrations at Sacramento

Results courtesy CIFCA
Photo by Cody Coleman
9/19/03

ept 13, 2003 (Sacramento Raceway) -- The California Independent Funny Car Association Championships were held during the 34th annual Sacramento Governor's Cup. As in many previous seasons, the DragParts.com title came down to the very last race of the year. Jim Maher (photo above) of Whittier, CA came into the race with a narrow points leads over Dennis La Charite. La Charite qualified better trimming the lead to less than one round. Victory would go to one that advanced farther in eliminations.

Maher steadily dispose of his competition enroute to his fifth final of the year. His Good Vibrations team first got around Pete Cogswell in the opening frame. A holeshot aided 7.61 was then enough to hold back Steve Romanazzi's quicker 7.56. The racing remained close during the semi-finals when Adam Sorokin stepped up to the plate. Sorokin one round earlier won a dead tie over Jeff Seraphine (.496 - 7.487, .501 - 7.482). Margin of victory was .000 seconds! Maher was off the line first and his 7.52 was good for the win light while the 2002 Champion clocked a breakout 7.48.

CIFCA's 2000 Points Champion Jim Broome would play spoiler with Mike Savage at the wheel. The Tucson, AZ-based team began his second straight trip to a Sacramento final with a double breakout win over Paul Peterson (7.48 to 7.46). Savage then recorded a 7.54 against Michael Irwin sending the #1 qualifier to an early shower. The semi- finals pitted Broome's Old Nostalgia against La Charite's Back in Black. Both were on their game at the tree with La Charite's .420 light good for the Enderle Quick Reaction Time bucks. Through the top end lights it was Savage first (7.52 - 7.58) ending La Charite's hopes for the title and creating celebration in the Good Vibrations camp.

The final was icing on the cake for the newly crowned five-time champion. Maher's 7.51 was good for the Governor' Cup win while Savage went under at a 7.45. La Charite held onto second place in points while Broome/Savage placed third. Irwin held down the fourth position while Dennis Murphy/Beckman rounded out the Top Five.

The Perma-Cool Burnout Challenge was won by Romanazzi while Murphy earned the Good Vibrations Best Package bonus (.032 seconds). Chill Scardino scored his first CIFCA victory when he won the delayed Grand Junction final round on Friday night. Scardino's 7.58 bested La Charite's breakout 7.47.