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| The 1990's |
| The Next Century |
In 1990, CIFCA’s contingency program was formed which now boast annual postings over
$40,000. CIFCA’s Youth Program was also formed that year. This program assists
youngsters seeking to explore opportunities in the motorsports industry. CIFCA teams take
youngsters with them to the races and allow them to be a crewmember, performing duties as
such packing parachutes, engine maintenance, and assisting on the starting line. Dave Hix
won the Championship over Pete Mark.
In 1991 the index was reduced to a 7.75 and the membership reached 32 teams.
Jim Maher of Whittier, CA won his first championship over Dave Hix.
Several changes were made for the 1992 season. The index was lowered to a 7.50 and a
Burnout Contest was added. The Burnout Contest is conducted during qualifying and is
judged by the spectators and track announcer. This program add value to the overall show.
Jim Maher’s Good Vibrations Corvette dominated the 1992 season winning 7 out of 10 races.
His Whittier based team successfully defended their 1991 title. Tony Rishton of Ontario,
California finished second in his Family
IROC Z.
1993 opened a new chapter for CIFCA with racing Mexico. The schedule consisted of 4 & 8 car
shows with dragstrips in Mexicali.Tecate, and Aqua Prieta, along with over 12 races in the
United States. CIFCA is now firmly established as an affordable and reliable funny car show to
West Coast promoters. Maher's Good Vibrations Corvette clinched his third consecutive
championship followed closely by Steve Tryon of Phoenix, AZ.
During 1994, the CIFCA experienced a growth spurt. The teams now number over 40 and the
racing has become very close. Media exposure is becoming commonplace after most events.
Publicity ranges from printed results to coverage in professional commercial videos. The
CIFCA funny cars are now the featured act at over 95% of their races. The teams are known as
professional showmen. Mike Hilsabeck of Phoenix, Arizona won his first CIFCA championship
edging out Jim Maher.
The 1995 season was aggressive. With 13 series races and several match races, the teams
were very busy. Sponsor support and opportunity also hit an all-time high. Rookie Jeff
Seraphine won the points championship over Mike Hilsabeck. Publicity and exposure
continued to grow as the association wrapped up its 11th season.
1996 was similiar to the previous season. A very smooth and successful year.
Mike Hilsabeck won his 2nd championship over Tony Rishton.
Ditto for 1997. Mike Hilsabeck wins 3rd championship over Jim Maher.
1998: Mike Hilsabeck continued his dominance winning an unprecedented 4th
Championship over Jim Maher.
1999: marked CIFCA's 15th season. Many new faces were appearing on the scene and
wrecking havoc on the veterans. Robert Lee won the Championship Title in just his second
year over veteran Mike Hilsabeck.
$40,000. CIFCA’s Youth Program was also formed that year. This program assists
youngsters seeking to explore opportunities in the motorsports industry. CIFCA teams take
youngsters with them to the races and allow them to be a crewmember, performing duties as
such packing parachutes, engine maintenance, and assisting on the starting line. Dave Hix
won the Championship over Pete Mark.
In 1991 the index was reduced to a 7.75 and the membership reached 32 teams.
Jim Maher of Whittier, CA won his first championship over Dave Hix.
Several changes were made for the 1992 season. The index was lowered to a 7.50 and a
Burnout Contest was added. The Burnout Contest is conducted during qualifying and is
judged by the spectators and track announcer. This program add value to the overall show.
Jim Maher’s Good Vibrations Corvette dominated the 1992 season winning 7 out of 10 races.
His Whittier based team successfully defended their 1991 title. Tony Rishton of Ontario,
California finished second in his Family
IROC Z.
1993 opened a new chapter for CIFCA with racing Mexico. The schedule consisted of 4 & 8 car
shows with dragstrips in Mexicali.Tecate, and Aqua Prieta, along with over 12 races in the
United States. CIFCA is now firmly established as an affordable and reliable funny car show to
West Coast promoters. Maher's Good Vibrations Corvette clinched his third consecutive
championship followed closely by Steve Tryon of Phoenix, AZ.
During 1994, the CIFCA experienced a growth spurt. The teams now number over 40 and the
racing has become very close. Media exposure is becoming commonplace after most events.
Publicity ranges from printed results to coverage in professional commercial videos. The
CIFCA funny cars are now the featured act at over 95% of their races. The teams are known as
professional showmen. Mike Hilsabeck of Phoenix, Arizona won his first CIFCA championship
edging out Jim Maher.
The 1995 season was aggressive. With 13 series races and several match races, the teams
were very busy. Sponsor support and opportunity also hit an all-time high. Rookie Jeff
Seraphine won the points championship over Mike Hilsabeck. Publicity and exposure
continued to grow as the association wrapped up its 11th season.
1996 was similiar to the previous season. A very smooth and successful year.
Mike Hilsabeck won his 2nd championship over Tony Rishton.
Ditto for 1997. Mike Hilsabeck wins 3rd championship over Jim Maher.
1998: Mike Hilsabeck continued his dominance winning an unprecedented 4th
Championship over Jim Maher.
1999: marked CIFCA's 15th season. Many new faces were appearing on the scene and
wrecking havoc on the veterans. Robert Lee won the Championship Title in just his second
year over veteran Mike Hilsabeck.
CIFCA entered the new millennium on a roll. The highest percentage of teams (30 out of 44)
actually made it to the racetrack during the 2000 season. The ladder at the majority of the
races was increased from an 8-car show to a 16-car. The competition was very fierce with the
championship title coming down to the very last round of the year! Jim Broome won the title
with Mike Savage at the wheel. Mike Hilsabeck and Steve Tyron finished a very close second
and third, respectively.
2001: All but one race was a 16 car ladder. CIFCA is very strong in car count. The
championship came down to the very last race again. Jim Maher won his 4th CIFCA
championship. Jim Broome finished a very close second. Gary Dale placed third, his best
career finish. Jim Scott moved into fourth and Steve Tryon rounded out the Top Five.
2002: An influx of new teams coupled with many veterans remaining on the sidelines resulted
in rookies ruling. This new blood showed up with their game face on and posted competitive
numbers. Dave Smith won his first CIFCA championship with Adam Sorokin at the wheel.
Rookie Dennis La Charite finished second in his very first season in a funny car. Gary & Sean
Dale placed third. These up and coming racers are the lifeblood of the association.
2003: CIFCA's 19th season was a smooth and successful year. A high percentage of teams
(36 out of 43) actually made at least one race. Jim Maher won his 5th CIFCA championship.
Dennis La Charite duplicated his 2002 performances with a 2nd place finish. Jim Broome
held down the 3rd position.
2004: A milestone was reached as CIFCA entered it's 3rd decade of racing. The membership
mirrored 2003 levels with exceptional performances. Dennis La Charite won his first CIFCA
Championship. The AMP Motorsports team had their best season finishing in 2nd. Dennis
Murphy/ Jack Beckman place third while the Good Vibrations of Jim Maher held down the
fourth spot. Jim Scott rounded out the Top Five. CIFCA will enter 2005 with a new leader.
Jamie Leppanen became your CIFCA President when Maher stepped down after 16 years.
The future looks very bright.
actually made it to the racetrack during the 2000 season. The ladder at the majority of the
races was increased from an 8-car show to a 16-car. The competition was very fierce with the
championship title coming down to the very last round of the year! Jim Broome won the title
with Mike Savage at the wheel. Mike Hilsabeck and Steve Tyron finished a very close second
and third, respectively.
2001: All but one race was a 16 car ladder. CIFCA is very strong in car count. The
championship came down to the very last race again. Jim Maher won his 4th CIFCA
championship. Jim Broome finished a very close second. Gary Dale placed third, his best
career finish. Jim Scott moved into fourth and Steve Tryon rounded out the Top Five.
2002: An influx of new teams coupled with many veterans remaining on the sidelines resulted
in rookies ruling. This new blood showed up with their game face on and posted competitive
numbers. Dave Smith won his first CIFCA championship with Adam Sorokin at the wheel.
Rookie Dennis La Charite finished second in his very first season in a funny car. Gary & Sean
Dale placed third. These up and coming racers are the lifeblood of the association.
2003: CIFCA's 19th season was a smooth and successful year. A high percentage of teams
(36 out of 43) actually made at least one race. Jim Maher won his 5th CIFCA championship.
Dennis La Charite duplicated his 2002 performances with a 2nd place finish. Jim Broome
held down the 3rd position.
2004: A milestone was reached as CIFCA entered it's 3rd decade of racing. The membership
mirrored 2003 levels with exceptional performances. Dennis La Charite won his first CIFCA
Championship. The AMP Motorsports team had their best season finishing in 2nd. Dennis
Murphy/ Jack Beckman place third while the Good Vibrations of Jim Maher held down the
fourth spot. Jim Scott rounded out the Top Five. CIFCA will enter 2005 with a new leader.
Jamie Leppanen became your CIFCA President when Maher stepped down after 16 years.
The future looks very bright.
| History Part 2 |
| CIFCA 8305 Boron Way Sacramento, CA 95828 phone 209-992-8007: fax: 916-681-8036 jamie@cifcaracing.com |
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