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Bakersfield, CA - November 03-05, 2006: The 8th Goodguys Fuel & Gas Finals was a nerve racking weekend for Brett Harris and the Utah Posse. Harris came into the Finals with a slim points lead over Brad Thompson and a few more over Sean Bellemeur. All Brett had to do was qualify solidly and go two more rounds than Thompson or three more than Bellemeur. Then there was the 10 point bonus for top speed of the meet... that would be nice too. Harris got those points and by Sunday afternoon they were the difference between the championship and 2nd place. More on that below.

This event was also filled with mixed emotions for all involved as after 19 years of Goodguys/VRA WCC series events, the Goodguys/VRA will not stage a West Coast Championship Series in 2007. That leaves next season with a lot of question marks. Check back for updates and race schedules as they are set. The only thing for sure is there will be a 2007 Bakersfield March Meet held on the weekend of the 9th through the 13th so make your reservations now.

 

 

 

Harris' weekend got off to an ominous start when they did their first warm up and hurt the blower. It seems a piece of piston ring was lodged in the rotors from an incident at their last race. The errant piece did a number on the supercharger and a new unit had to be installed.

With the new blower in place the car was warmed up and deemed race ready.

The first session went off at 1:47 PM and after 17 cars had taken a shot at the track the final pair was Brett Harris in the Utah based Nitro Thunder car and Howard Haight in Butch Blair's Fugowie.

As Brett moves up to stage the rep from M&H tires has his temperature gun on the right slick. This was done with all the Top Fuel cars at various points in their runs from burnout to staging.

Haight was a tad soft at the hit but Harris was out like a rocket.

 

From the hit Harris put distance between himself and Haight stopping the clocks with a 5.855 at 259.36. Coming into this event Harris held a slight VRA points lead over Brad Thompson and Sean Bellemeur. Anyone of them could have the title for the abbreviated season if they had a great weekend. This whole scenario would play out dramatically by Sunday afternoon.

About an hour before the session the engine is warmed up and checked for any problems.

 

The second and last pro qualifying session went off right on time at 12:01 PM. The weather remained cool and the track excellent. Harris was paired with Brendan Murry.

 

 

Big Red had a solid leave while Murry was soft but better than his launch from session one.

Harris went right down the groove to the a 5.789 and a new VRA speed record - 261.24. This would land him in the # 2 qualifying position and obviously stand for top speed of the meet and that would ultimately play a huge part in determining the 2006 VRA Top Fuel Champion. Keep in mind that unlike NHRA, the Goodguys/VRA gives 10 points to TF top speed at every event.

 

After doing maintenance after their second session the crew warms up the car for the first round of eliminations.

The first round of Top Fuel Eliminations kicked off at 3:50 PM. The weather remained cool and the track excellent - everyone is on edge waiting for the command to start the engines.

Harris left hard but broke an intake valve, banged the blower and was coasting by the 900' mark. With Big Red costing, dead in the water, he was a sitting duck for Rusk who unfortunately had problems of his own. Hurting parts to the end Rusk couldn't quite catch the helpless Brett to the stripe. Harris dodged a bullet winning with a 6.350 at just 165.80.

 

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Round Two - Sunday

 

11:15 AM - The first pair was fired and Brett Harris would face off with Rick White. This pair of 5.80 cars was a toss up.

 

Harris eyes White during the backups.

 

Both cars left together but what had the makings of a great drag race ended when Harris got out of the groove and was forced to shut down and watch White go on for the win.

 

With Thompson losing in round one only Sean Bellemeur could pass Harris for the points lead and championship and would have to win the event to do it. The next few hours were gut wrenching for the entire Harris team. It was until over 5 hours later when Bellemeur lost to White in the final and the Utah Posse let their collective breaths out. Brett was the 2006 VRA Top Fuel World Champion by a mere 7 points -- points he would not of had if he hadn't set top speed of the meet. That was too close for comfort! Onward to 2007.