Hill returned to the asphalt quarter-mile in 1985, a surface that would be on solid footing and more predicable. California, he set drag boat racing on its ear when he recorded the fastest quarter mile speed ever on water at 229.00 MPH. He also took runner-up six times that season as well as being the #1 qualifier at Indy, Find National Drag Boat Association stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. He began taking on all comers at such events as short track, hare scrambles, motocross, cross country, road racing, and drag racing. Forum Staff View All Virginia 482 Super Moderator. Initially underfunded and unsuccessful, Hill set the all-time speed record at a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) event in 1987, becoming the first person to hold both the land and water speed records simultaneously. 're both healthy, happy, and absolutely enjoying life. It was a freak accident. [7] Hill set the record as the oldest Top Fuel champion when he won the season championship as a 57-year-old. Taking a respite from racing didn The basics of drag boat racing are very similar to those of land drag racing. " California, in 1960 to race Jack Chrisman and his Sidewinder dragster. July, 1966. Without the sanctioning body and the tasks they perform for the race such as course setup, timing system, rescue boats, driver registration, technical inspection, safety personnel, insurance and scheduling of general race activities the, race cannot be held. California Death Index: Buster R. Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934 in Calif., died Nov. 15, 1975 in Sacramento. Pontiac powered unblown gas dragster. RacingJunk Hill also set speed records that year for SDBA, ADBA, and IHBA, becoming the only driver to hold records in all four associations. Undeterred, some of the drivers made exhibition runs for the onlookers. "It was a perfect run until right past the finish line. Arizona. Retirement (Eddie prefers to call it full time playing) is great. The hot rod had a Model T frame and an Oldsmobile V8 engine. Witch, Lil Ski Mer Weather is sometimes unpredictable. Large full track grassy area for viewing. All rights reserved. When you look at Eddie Hill's racing career, one that spanned over four decades, be it on land or water, two wheels or four, one can't help but notice how this personable Texan's driving skills and mechanical ingenuity helped make him successful in any form of motorsports in which he chose to compete. Hill also ran top speed for A/GD at 161.29 MPH at the NHRA Nationals in, In 1963 Hill made the switch to Top Fuel. I had to do something that was counterintuitive, and it spooked me. Hill made the run on only seven cylinders; the post-run computer readout showed his #7 cylinder failed at launch. Atlanta, and We create all original artwork, and print on heavy-duty glossy cardstock. His boat hit a wave causing it to go airborne. BoatUS provides a range of benefits and services, representation for boaters' rights, and offers many savings opportunities to more than 700,000 . In 1983 and 1984, Hill won the World Series of Drag Boat Racing championship. You don The KDBA is the FASTEST club to bring your boat to or just join and watch. He won the American Drag Boat Association (ADBA) championship four times and became No.1 in SDBA points five years in a row. Made many passes over 150 mph. Would you believe 100.55 mph in the quarter mile? [4] She had several roles during his career, including team co-owner, starting line navigator, record taker, pit crew member, business manager, marketing, and public relations. urchinTracker(); Over the years he was given nicknames by fans and competitors alike for his racing prowess, such as "Fast Eddie, Hill competed in his first drag race in1956 at, Later that year he added a blower to the car, which made it an A/Gas dragster. [4] "Once I hit the water with the boat, I never went back to motorcycles," Hill recalled. BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The Southern Drag Boat Association opened its 2021 season on Lake Bryan with a three-day race event this weekend. As far as the future of the race in Augusta the Augusta Southern Nationals will continue to monitor the situation with Lucas and any other sanctioning bodies. Crash Corner. He was transported to Sacred Heart General Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes after the accident. of the World Pictures The 2022 Drag Boat Nationals sanctioned by the Southern Drag Boat Association on November 4-6, 2022. As two boats are paired up on the holding rope, a countdown clock begins before the boats get the green light. $15/ea day, or $25/both, Kids under 12 free with paying adult. NDBA record holder at 104.00 mph. [8] Hill built his first Top Fuel dragster in 1963 using a Pontiac engine. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Judge's Stand SCSC Membership: All racers are required to join SCSC.You can join on-site at registration or Sun Apr 16, 2023. [7], In 1947, 11-year-old Hill won the Tri-State Motor Scooter Flat Track championship in Shreveport, Louisiana. can lid label and all, Witch Pirate 4x4 Forum 369K+ members. Texas. The cars were faster, quicker, and growing in popularity. drag boat venue. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. All images of drag boats, both hydroplanes & flatbottoms from After Bud Meyer and Harlan split Sept 1st-3rd | 13th Annual Diamond Drag Boat Nationals. Drag Lists 18.2K views. chance to get to know the course, and dial in their skills. " and One of his four passes in the 1960 event set the B/Gas dragster record at 163.04mph (262.39km/h), so Hill quit his job to become a full-time drag racer. Pictures [7] Hill had been using the Double Dragon to win matches, which were used to finance his Top Fuel dragster. 145.86 mph. State The Hills are active in the Cowboy Church of Henrietta, Texas, and continue to give God the glory for all their blessings. Eddie repeated as champion in both series in 1977 as well as set a NDBA speed record of 171.45 MPH. 's next race car would have two engines, which he spent four months designing and seven months building. The accident occurred during a trial run before the start of race sanctioned by the National Drag Boat Association. In learning the real plane, he has advanced far enough to make a solo flight from in April 1966. 's finances took a quite a hit. 's Fun Cycles in Dirt Knights. Biographical: Just after winning his race at a speed of 131.38 MPH, the boat started riding on its side and then nosed into the water. Additional information will be posted on our website at www.augustasouthernnationals.org They met at a boat drag race in High Point, North Carolina, and she, Since retiring from NHRA drag racing at the end of 1999, the Hills now pursue hobbies and interests they had no time for during life on the road. ", Eddie and Ercie - Charter members of the Cragar Four Second Club, Ercie - Racers for Christ One of Bud Meyers Its a great way to get your name in front of every race fan. He was from Sacramento, California, and had been racing drag boats for more than six years. The boat crashed violently and threw me into the water face first for an instantaneous stop, which broke seven bones and nearly blew my eyes out of my head. Movies The track is about 3/4 mile on the left. It started to lift into the air before it turned on its left side and nosed into the water. He was transported to a Starkville hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. In 1987 at the NHRA Chief Auto Parts Nationals in Ennis, Texas, where he finished runner-up, Hill blazed the quarter mile at 285.98 MPH; becoming the only person in history to hold speed records for both land and water simultaneously. He was from Fresno, California. An excellent way to have your name seen all weekend long! He broke his neck on impact. It was thought that he may have broken a rudder. The car went out of control and was completely destroyed. Edd Mathews and Rene Alpi for identifying. On April 9, 1988, he set the first foursecond elapsed time (4.990seconds) at the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Texas Nationals in Ennis, TX. ". "It was one of those fireballs that you couldn't see through," Hill said. NATIONAL DRAG BOAT ASSOCIATION: CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT CORPORATION - CA - MUTUAL BENEFIT: WRITE REVIEW: Address: 620 Charles St. Moorpark, CA 93021: Registered Agent: Frank D. Dade: Filing Date: March 04, 1964: File Number: 466707: Contact Us About The Company Profile For National Drag Boat Association After he quit drag racing in 1966, Eddie opened a motorcycle dealership in 's Fun Cycles. " after seeing one thrown from a boat during a high speed crash. throughout our childhood). [2] The machine ripped up the starting line at the 1961 NHRA Nationals at Indianapolis. WWW.DRAGBOATCENTRAL.COM WHERE WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU WITH ALL YOUR DRAG BOAT NEEDS Drag Boat Central THE PLACE TO FIND ALL YOUR DRAG BOAT, JET BOAT, V-DRIVE, STERN DRIVE AND ALL AROUND PREFORMANCE PARTS BE SURE AND CHECK OUT WWW.RACETALK39X.COM FOR ALL THERE LIVE FEEDS FROM YOUR FAVORITE EVENTS SPECIAL THANKS TO LUCAS OIL FOR Linda L. Jenkins on July 30, 1976 in Harris Co. [9] He built two more Top Fuel Hemi-powered dragsters before he had an engine fire at Green Valley Race City in 1966. "Once I hit the water with the boat, I never went back to motorcycles. He was thrown clear of the boat and his emergency parachute opened, but hit the water at a bad angle on his neck. He also won Top Gas at the 1959 AHRA Championships in Biographical: He was racing Dan Pastorini when his boat became airborne and flipped over. In fact, the car dug holes in the starting line at the 1961 NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis. "Fast Eddie Karnack, [7], He stopped racing and opened a motorcycle dealership in Wichita Falls in 1966. The shoreline runs perfectly parallel to the track. Buzz Coats Stevens hull with two injected Chevys on fuel. 2022 DRAG BOAT NATIONALS. Flat Bottom drag boats cannot be designed with a tunnel bottom, although a modification called a runner bottom is now accepted. From Austin: Take Hwy 71 West approximate 45 miles to Hwy 281 (North). The November The projected number of teams and spectators make this event a marquee event for all motor sports fans . The next year he was back and was leading the points with two races left, but a terrible spill at the Grand River event . Come celebrate the crowning of our 2022 Champions and Runners-ups. [7] Before he quit boat drag racing, he had an elapsed time of 5.16seconds in the wet quarter mile at Firebird Lake in Chandler, Arizona. This venue can be pretty humid and hot. '&utmxhash='+escape(h.substr(1)):'')+'" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8">')})(); 80s Funny Cars In 1982 at His parachute pulled him free of the disintegrating boat, but he suffered severe injuries, from which he died a decade later. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a Waco hospital. 2022 DRAG BOAT NATIONALS - Welcome to Wild Horse Pass - Wild Horse Pass. But age was not a barrier to Eddie Hill. It was a record listed in the Guinness Book of World Record for 11 years. 608 talking about this. On gasoline? Built by De Silva. [17] After he was notified of his nomination, he said, "It's so much more satisfying to get this award now than posthumously. Skillful control of the cavitation plates keeps the boat from flipping. Additional tickets can be H O M E. A B O U T. L O C A T I ON S . [7][11] Hill quit boat racing in October 1984 after a crash at 217miles per hour. when he drove the quarter mile in 8.84seconds to break the previous 9.40-second record. 24 posts. But with encouragement and support from wife Ercie and advice from fellow racer Gene Snow, Eddie saw light at the end of tunnel. Eddie once tried to ride an unbroken horse bareback. Houston. as a 150 with a Bud Meyers Chevy Nova engine, then as a 266 with a sbc., Sat Apr 15, 2023. "[3] His other nicknames include "The Thrill",[2] "Holeshot Hill",[4] and "Fast Eddie". Only full annual members qualify for points. 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