 Jim Scott (Winner)
Sept 6, 1998 (Southwestern Int'l Raceway): The California
Independent Funny Car Association held its final points race of the year at one of the
newest and smoothest racetracks on the West Coast. This of course being SIR in Tucson, AZ.
The event was held over Labor Day weekend. Fortunately it was a 2- day event because rain
dampened qualifying on Saturday.
The field was led by Robert Lee with a near-perfect 7.508 on
CIFCA's 7.50 index. Lee has qualified his Rebel Racing Firebird on the pole more times
this season than most of the other drivers combined. Team Scott was right behind Lee with
a 7.51. The 8-car bump was anchored by newcomer Chill Scardino (7.92) of Phoenix. Kelly
Butler missed the field but won the Perma-Cool Burnout Challenge.
"...Hilsabeck has already wrapped up the
CIFCA Championship..."
Consistency was the name of the game during eliminations. The
Scotts placed a 7.55 on the board to send Ken Kraus of Great Falls, MT packing.
"Scotty" then ran a 7.53 against Sean Dale's 7.63 to send the Fallbrook, CA team
into the money round.
Working his way down the other side of the ladder was Jim
Maher's Good Vibrations. In the opening frame, Maher just narrowly defeated Lee (both of
Whittier, CA) on a 7.60 - 7.63 decision. The closest race of the day came during the
semi-finals when Maher and Mike Hilsabeck battled. Hilsabeck has already wrapped up the
CIFCA Championship (his fourth) with Maher having to settle for 2nd place. Maher got the
jump off the line (.437 - .467) but Hilsabeck drove around on the top end stopping the
timers first with a breakout 7.44. Maher's 7.45 was good for the narrow win.
Jim Scott did an excellent tuning job all weekend while his
son 'Scotty" was cool at the controls. During the finals against Maher's Good
Vibrations Scotty got the holeshot (.433- .477) and ran a victorious 7.52 to Maher's
breakout 7.46. Team Scott was honored the win, The Tavia Quick Reaction Time bonus and the
Made For You Best ET.
Hilsabeck was crowned CIFCA 1998 Points Champion at the
Awards Banquet on Nov 21. This is Hilsabeck's 4th Championship, breaking his tie with 2nd
place finisher Jim Maher. Robert Lee placed third this year in points, while Steve Tryon
and Jimmy Scott rounded out the top five.
Jim Maher (Runner Up) |
_small.jpg)
