Bakersfield, CA - October 12-14, 2007: The 16th NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion lived up to its star billing in spades. From the opening of the gates on Friday, record crowds filled Famoso Raceway and considering this is one of the two premier nostalgia drag racing events in the country, the teams came here loaded for bear with one thought in mind - winning including the two Jack Harris Racing fuelers.

The 35,000+ fans that packed the facility over the three-day event were treated to over 400 race cars including 21 of the countries best Top Fuel dragsters including Nitro Thunder entry driven by Brett Harris. Coming into the race Harris was a real longshot to overtake the four drivers in front of him for the 2007 AA/FD Points Series championship but he did have high hopes of repeating his 2007 March Meet win.

But after qualifying #5 with a nice 5.879 at 244.69 the Nitro Thunder car suffered an upset loss in round one thus bringing the 2007 season to a close and having to wait until next year for a shot at the championship.

More of the story and photos below.

 

On Friday the first qualifying session was scheduled to go off at 3:00PM and it did. But at 3:10PM, after five Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragsters completed their first qualifying runs, rain postponed the completion of the program for the day. The remaining cars (including Harris) were scheduled to take their first attempt at At 10:00AM on Saturday.

 

 

Saturday - Qualifying Session One

Friday's rain lingered until early Saturday so the 10:00AM schedule was moved to noon.

 

Harris got his first shot at the track paired with Jim Murphy.

 

 

 

Steve Tyrrell backs Brett up from his burnout.

 

 

 

 

Both Harris and Murphy left hard and had a good 'ol drag race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both cars were literally side by side the entire quarter mile.

 

Going into the first ET light Harris found a new way to get a world class oil bath. You will note that the spark plug tubes and wires are literally flying out of the valve cover on the left bank. Below the right side follows suit. This is what happens when you don't put the tube seals into a set of new Alan Johnson heads.

 

By the way, the run netted a 5.879 at 244.69 which would put him #3 at the time.

 

The superb Safety Safari were all over Brett when he came to a stop. He was "oily" and in much better shape than the engine.

 

This is just part of the carnage.

 

 

 

 

With a new bullet between the frame rails the crew starts to button up the car for the second session.

 

 

 

Kaden Harris was not the least bit phased by the thrash.

 

 

Looking for a mid 5.70 Harris left with the aggression to do it.

 

 

But down track problems set in and Harris shut off to a 6.497 at 164.02. His previous 5.87 would land him in the #5 slot in the final order.

 

Unlike the previous two days, Sunday featured Chamber Of Commerce weather which meant the air and track would be near perfect for killer times.

With the first round of eliminations set for 11:00AM, the team went over the car making sure everything was working properly.

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New tires installed.

 

About 10:00AM the engine was warmed up and checked,

 

11:05 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 67 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 29.95 inches.

 

11:20AM and it was time for business. Harris was paired with the # 12 qualifier, Jason Richey.

 

 

 

By the 1000' mark Richey had a slight lead and Harris' engine was starting to eat pistons.

At the stripe Richey got the win light with a 5.880 249.93 to beat Harris who slowed to a 6.025 at 237.21. It would be one of three big upset in round one that saw 3 of the top 5 points leaders go home.

 

On that note its time to look forward to the 2008 season when Jack Harris Racing will be back with a vengeance. After a somewhat successful 2007 campaign, the team is really looking forward to the 50th March Meet. The entire Harris team would like to thank their fans and sponsors and they are looking forward to making you all proud in the future.

 

Jack Harris at the 2007 CHRR