Smooth Water
“Chaplains Blog Book … Marble Falls … part I”
By Craig & Beverly Garland, RFC chaplains from Ennis, TX
The IHBA race in Marble Falls, TX was as usual, a big success, and as always, a lot of fun too. Beverly and I started the journey Thursday evening after work. Seeing as we would be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary this weekend, she, like most women, just had to stop at the huge outlet mall in Hillsboro. I, like most men, would rather have teeth pulled than go shopping. But, it worked out in my favor because I was the one she was shopping for.
After shopping we had a romantic meal at none other than the Cracker Barrel. Hey, I’m a romantic kind of redneck. Then we rolled into town around midnight, eager for the next morning and the beginning of a safe weekend of racing.
What a great weekend we all had in Marble Falls. I look forward to this race for the simple reason its one big family reunion. This was Beverly’s first time to get to see the world renown, or at least the world known in Marble Falls, TX, Friday night “Show and Shine.” She even got to see Abe Lincoln (who by the way attends the “Lakefest” every year), and to think he came out just to see her on our 28th wedding anniversary. Thank you all for the anniversary wishes and a special thank you to my good friend Travis Tuttle.
I like getting to the track early on race day, especially since we had a new RFC chaplain from Port Lavaca TX coming to help for the first time. Randy Benes has been a drag boat racing fan for years and now he was getting to see another side of the sport, the ministry side. He would be getting a first hand look at why we love this wonderful drag boat family so much. By the end of the weekend Randy was in total amazement of the outpouring of love and support this community has for Team RFC.
Just the smell of racing fuel in the air and seeing the pits full can get anyone, fan, chaplain, or racer, pumped up. Seeing a lot of the IHBA racers for the first time this year was such a great reunion. I knew that just as you drive into the pits on the right hand side of the road there would be the sound of “tribal music” playing from the “War Party.”
We found out later that nine birthday's were celebrated on Saturday night, seven from the Jerry and Nancy Davis “War Party” TAF crew and one from Steve Westerfield’s “All Lit Up” TAF crew. Further up the road on the right was some “Bad Company,” what a family … we had to stop there first to see our God child, little Kylee.
Friday’s racing started off as scheduled with a test and tune day. It’s the perfect time for the racers to get prepared for Saturday’s qualifying, and for some driver’s license runs to be made. Congratulations to James Ray and the “Tequila Sunrise” TFH, for getting his full track license pass. Darrel (“Mad Max”) Ehrlich had to drive the bugs out first before James made the full track pass.
The “Tequila Sunrise” boat had been having handling problems and James needed Darrel to shake it down for him, and boy did he. Along with the tuning expertise of two greats, James Ray and Tim Stokes, it was just a matter of time until the yellow boat screamed down the liquid quarter mile.
Steve Prewit in his “Hold My Beer and Watch This” M/E boat wanted to try for his P/E license, and did it. Way to go Steve, he was all smiles in the pits after his run.
After a full day of test and tune I went back to town to get Beverly for the famous Marble Falls “Show and Shine.” As always, it brought out the whole town. While walking around the pits, a good friend that I don’t get to see much, Frank Carter stopped us, and invited us to eat at their pit. They had Tex Mex catered in that you can’t get anywhere else like you get here in Texas. Remember, fellowship is always better on a full belly. I also noticed a familiar big rig rolling in; it was the “Nitro Chicken” TFH of Doug Verstuyft, who was supposed to be busy?
Saturday morning started out with Kelly Russell crashing his M/E Mirage boat. Kelly was transported to the local hospital and released shortly afterwards. Beverly made the trip to the hospital with the family and crew for support. The next day he was sore and had a nice shiner on one of his eyes. That is always our worst fear, a crash, but we know that God is in control and thankfully He had His hands upon Kelly that day.
That afternoon Phyllis Ermshar came up to us at the in ramp and said to come by their pits when we had a chance. Again we were blessed with a catered barbecue lunch that was brought in by one of their sponsors. It’s always good talking to Phyllis and Don. We also had the opportunity to visit with the Speed Channel film crew and talk about the RFC ministry.
Sunday morning came early, with the first chapel service starting at 7:15 am. God has placed on my heart all year the topic of blessings. We want to see each and every one of our racing families blessed. So the message was “Don’t Serve the Problem,”and the three steps to be victorious with your problems. God wants us all to be blessed and not look at the problem but look at the Solution … Him.
We had great numbers at both services, as usual. We found out that next year we may be teaming up with a new church in the area. They are starting a church at the new Lakeside Pavilion and they would love to worship with us. So next year look for some awesome praise and worship.
Here again, our new Team RFC chaplain Randy Benes, was amazed by the response at our chapel service. As he put it, “Brother, I just can’t get over this.” We are so blessed to be able to minister to such a great group of believers in the whole drag boat community.
After Chapel it was time to get ready for the day every racer looks forward to, RACE DAY. I felt so bad for the “Bad Company” team, home track, but a broken boat. Shawna put it best when she said, “Everything happens for a reason, but this is so hard not getting to race.”
Again it was a great weekend, getting to see our racing family is always worth the trip. John Haas, you are the man; winning top fuel with a 4.77 and 243 miles per hour in the “Speed Sports.” Congratulations to all the winners, Mr. Don Bausher in Top Alcohol Flat with a 6.74 run over Don Ermshar‘s 6.84. Then Kebin Kinsley ran a 5.821 and 206.64 win over Kent Price who slowed to a 6.513 and 154.20 in Top Alcohol Hydro. And a hearty congratulation goes out to all the other winners too.
We are already looking forward to the IHBA World Finals in Phoenix this November, so until then, we pray that each one of you are blessed and stay safe the rest of the season. A special thanks to Bryan and Dorri Sanders for the golf cart during the weekend, it was a blessing!
