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 Joe Dutra | Home > 
NJBA - Bakersfield,Ca. Lake Ming
Hello Everyone!

The races this weekend in Bakersfield, Ca. went very smoothly.

Almost 70 boats made it out for this event including several TAH’s, Pro-Mods, &…1-TAF.

The weather was great all weekend which made it for great side-by-side racing.

What is great about this event is that many of the racers of the past often attend this event to hang out and catch up with what has been taking place in the sport of drag-boat racing over the years.
 
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet a gentleman by the name of Mr. Bob Bruhn.  

Mr. Bruhn raced in Bakersfield on Lake Ming in the 50’s & 60’s…

Many of you may not be aware that the very first drag-boat race was held in Hart Park in 1948 in Bakersfield, Ca.  

Hart Park is located near Lake Ming.

In the early 50’s the races had to be relocated to Lake Ming since the boats where approaching the 90-mph mark and there was not enough shut down for the boats to stop!

I spent some time with Mr. Bruhn listening to his stories that he had to share, and again this is just a small part of what makes this sport and the people in it so amazing!!

Bench racing at it best~~~

I will be contacting Mr. Bruhn in the near future to put an article together based on his time in the sport.  

There is also another gentleman that I hope to see in Bakersfield again in 3-weeks which he was at the very first race in 1948 at Hart Park & has been a member of NJBA on & off till this day.

Even though NJBA is a club it is very rich in history and the foundation/roots of our sport of Drag-Boat Racing.

This course has had a great many events over the years, many of our sport greatest racers have raced at this venue and created history and awesome memories for so many that were blessed to witness these events over the years.

I hope that one day this location will have a placard placed which will say…The Birth Place of Drag-Boat Racing!

Now that would be very Cool ;-)

This course deserves to be preserved since it is…History!!

On Sat. after the races was done for the day...I spent time with Jeff Martin-Cole Thurston & Shane Westerfield, While the four of us had a couple cold one's we chatted for some time about drag-boat racing past & present, and since these 3-have been raised in the sport we all had much to talk about.  Jeff is like a Webster Dictionary of dragboat racing, and...Jeff is also living the dream of as of the best drivers in PGF ;-)

I encourage you, especially the spectators to take the time after the races are done for the day to go in the pits and visit the racers and experience the excitement of what makes this sport so amazing!!! ;-)

Enjoy the photographs!

If you wish to purchase any photographs please contact me at…speedfreak439@yahoo.com

Till The Next One ;-)

Joe “Speedfreak” Dutra
Date(s): Oct. 17-18-2009. Album by Joe "Speedfreak" Dutra. Photos by Speedfreak Racing & Photography. 1 - 212 of 212 Total. 799 Visits.
  Sign the Guestbook. Displaying 2 of 2 entries.
nice pics. makes me think of all kinds of reasons to cry.

waaahhh
 - 
Cryin' in the 951, Wed, 21 Oct 2009 8:48AM
Joe, great pictures and dialogue, thanks for sharing this album.
 - 
Joe Don Lewis, Wed, 21 Oct 2009 6:46AM
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Near Lane...

Jeff was red hot all weekend in his PGF-Ugly Customer

"thats my boy in the outsid..."
"but did you give him a scr..."
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Sat. Action~~~

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Chump Change came out to continue dial in the new boat!

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As always the jets were putting on a great show & great side-bye-side racing!

;-)


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"BRO!!!"
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New-PM

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Red Pearl looking good as always!

The New T-Shirts are...Fantastic!!!


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TAH-Means Streak

Mike Fry's hotrod is ready to rock in Phx.  ;-)


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TAH-The Jackel

Darrin Christle Driving

I would like to see this boat out more often!

This team has what it takes to be one of the heavy hitters ;-)


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Rex driving the Exotic Motorsports TAF

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Geff Gregory's Exoctic Motorsports

Jeff's TAH will be ready 2010 with new colors!  and...maybe multiple hydros ;-)

If things goes as planned maybe twin props~?


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Rex was starting off with half track passes~

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Mike Jewel was on fire as well ;-)

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Nice to see Rolf Sammons back in the drivers seat of  his beautiful License 2 Thrill machine.

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Brian Dunn came out in his PM

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Sat Sunset...Beautiful

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Sunday Action...

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"10 second boat is out fron..."
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Love this shot...

Two white awesome lookin Canyon flats with a little reflection's

;-)


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Rex had this baby running down the track by the end of the weekend.

She is ready to lean her out a bit more at the next race! ;-)


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Rumor has it that Rex will be driving for a new TFH team in 2010 ;-)
"I hope they know how lucky..."
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Very cool shot!

Two blown orange boats...

Flat & Hydro ;-)


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Finals & Test Passes...

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TAH-Mean Streak

Taking the Win!


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Mark doing double duty as a photographer & Rescue!

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TAH-Your Nest

Troy had a tough weekend with the tune up all weekend!


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"Why did Bandy only run 8.1..."
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Broken Parts!

This motor lasted 30 years!

Use to be the Gambler jet-boat motor for many years!!


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Safety Passes...

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8-second class final winner in the near lane over Jeff Martin in the far lane in Ugly Customer.
"Closest race I've had in a..."
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The Pits & Misc. ;-)

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A father & son enjoying a memorable weekend at the boat races.

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Nice Swing~

Look real close you can see the ball 3-ft. in front of the driver!


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Mom & Daughter tapping hands ;-)

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It is always great to see the medical staff relaxing all weekend just enjoying the races!

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Making Nose Bubbles :-)))

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Some of the racers dogs having some cool fun!

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Rex back in the drivers seat!

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Long time member cruising the pits!

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Mini Me...Jeff ;-)

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Jeff trying out the feel of the TAF

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Nice Jet for sale!

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Close friends having a good time!
"That looks like my boy Col..."
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Jeff,

Going to a back up Cold One ;-)


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BBQ is always a good thing~

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Cole & Jeff
"Hi Cole, Hi Jeff, MOM"
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Wrong boat Cole :-)
"Good pic of Cole, I see To..."
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Mark in the basket!

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An artist drawing rescue

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Kids having fun at the track play ground.

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The voices of NJBA...

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Rolf & family

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Henry & friend doing some bench racing~

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Rex's Nitro burger stand was a hit as always!

I had my share ;-)


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Mike & sister Laurie giving a hand

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Joe & friend

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Friends catching up!

Mr. Greg Shoemaker made it out to the races!


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R & R ;-)

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Dragboat Review!

Stay up to date on all the latest action!


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NJBA 2009 President

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A father having fun with his son!

The son was not tossed in the water this time ;-)


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Time to rap it up till the next race in 3-weeks again in Bakersfields Lake Ming ;-)

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New out ramp~

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Happy & Safe Halloween to Everyone!

Till The Next One~~~

S/F ;-)


   
 
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