Augusta Southern Nationals Drag Boat Race

[topfuel443]

Anybody from iwaters going the Southern Nationals this weekend? I be up there on Suday to watch the finals with my father.....just curious. will try to take some cool pictures while im there.

~James

Heres a link for anyone in the area that is interested.....check out the photo page....coooool

http://www.augsouthernnationals.com/

 

[Mike Rappold]

James,

I work on the Speed Sports Top Fuel Hydro. We will be there so look me up if you get a chance.

Mike Rappold

 

[topfuel443]

Speed Sports T/F Hydro....gotcha!

I remember you talking about this race on here last year, but couldnt remember your last name......or if you came on here anymore. Im looking forward to it.

Shouldnt you be there now for the night of fire they always have on thursday night??

~James

 

[ClayGlover]

Hey Mike, that must be awesome to work on something of that caliber. I see your name on the website. Do the owners let you "test" it?

 

[topfuel443]

I got the chance to work with the "Aussie" Dave Grubnick NHRA T/F gragster team last year in Denver at the mile high nationals..... That was the most memorable, most exciting, and most tired I have ever been all in one weekend in my entire life.

Racing/Co Owning my own AMA/Prostar Topfuel Dragbike team was pretty darn cool as well......but R/C boating is much safer as well as a fraction of the cost. Im still paying bills from that part of my life.... lol

~James Clegg

"topfuel443"....its not just a catchy name.

 

[Mike Rappold]

James,

The boat is already in Augusta. Myself and a few others on the crew do not get in until Friday night - regular jobs get in the way....

It should be a good Top Fuel show. Last count I heard about 10 fuel boats were supposed to be there. For our team it will be an interesting weekend. We have a new hull and setup for this year. This year we are running a twin prop boat. The twin prop loads the engine completely differently than a single prop. The boat setup is different as well. Our first race this year with the new boat was in St. Louis. Unfortunately we broke a v-drive input shaft and gernaded the engine. Boat only went about 20 ft. We did not have spare inpuyt shaft and did not run it the rest of the St. Louis race. The next race we went to was Waco Texas, but it was rained out. So Augusta will hopefully be our first full track pass with the new boat.

See you there.

Mike

 

[topfuel443]

Mike, Gotcha, I thought you worked with the team on a full time basis. that must be tough working full time and then going all over the country and working full time on the boat. We will definately stop by!

~James

Hopefully you guys can get it dialed with some good shakedown passes.

 

[topfuel443]

Good to meet you this weekend Mike, Glad to see the boat make a decent full pass, get that whole "submarining" issue worked out and its gonna fly! It really started to stretch its legs once it got passed the 60 footer.

Anyone ever seen a 16 foot 5000 horsepower submarine? I almost did......glad it didnt hurt the boat!

see ya next year for sure.

~James