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Hilsabeck vs. Dale in the final.
Who won?
August 26, 2000: Western Colorado Raceway in Grand Junction, CO hosted the CIFCA
funny cars for the second time this year. The race went very well until Mother Nature
stepped in. There was a brief shower just before the final round. The two finalists chose
not to race though racing resumed for all other classes.
Up to this point the racing was competitive. Sean Dale qualified with a 7.75 and
steadily improved. Dale ran a 7.55 in the opening round to hold back Jim Carter. In the
semi's, The Dales stopped the timers with a 7.61 after Mike Savage bulbed in Jim Broome's
Olds.
Hilsabeck was dodging bullets on the other side of the ladder. The 4-time champ
cut a crucial .472 light against a snoozing Scardino and advanced with a 7.73 - 7.56! In
the semi's, Hilsabeck coasted to a 8.05 while Jim Maher clocked a .426 initiated 7.47 for
the Enderle Quick Reaction Time bucks. The Perma-Cool Burnout Challenge was not contested.
Maher's Good Vibrations finished the day
a semi-finalist and claimed the Enderle Quick Reaction Time bucks.
It was an all Arizona final. Dale and Hilsabeck fired up but raindrops forced the
two to shut off before they moved an inch. What looked liked a soggy evening actually was
only a 20 minute shower. The track was dried and racing resumed. All remaining categories
were completed except CIFCA.
CIFCA's finalists were not comfortable with the track conditions. The race was not
postponed nor cancelled by the promoter; and the racetrack was deemed safe and
competitive. Hence, Dale and Hilsabeck received full runner up status, including points,
pay and contingencies. The final round would not be ran off at a later time.
Dave Smith's team is jelling well. The rookie CIFCA team
ran an impressive 7.61 in the opening frame.
Thanks to Napa Auto Parts for supporting this event. Special thanks to the staff
at Western Colorado Raceway for their hard work and dedication.
They have revived this
racetrack and transformed it into a facility to be proud of. - Jim Maher
Qualifying Order:
- 1. Robert Lee (Whittier CA)
7.550
- 2. Jim Maher (Whittier CA)
7.575
- 3. Jim Broome/Savage (Tucson AZ)
7.622
- 4. Tim/Chill Scardino (Phoenix AZ)
7.651
- 5. Gary/Sean Dale (Phoenix AZ)
7.754
- 6. D. Smith/Sorokin (Diamond Bar CA)
7.768
- 7. Dick Spencer/Hill (Garland UT)
7.466*
- 8. Mike Hilsabeck (Phoenix AZ)
7.871
- 9. Jim Carter (Glendale AZ)
7.945
- 10.Jim/Shane Westring (Salem UT)
7.997
- 11.Steve Tryon (Mesa AZ)
8.338
- 12.Bobby/Buzzz Miller (Peoria AZ)
10.167
Ladder: 
Photo Highlights...
 
 
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