2007 Race Recaps
Race #9: IHBA World Finals in Phoenix, AZ
After taking a year off for the birth of the newest Bad Girl, Kylee (who, by the way, celebrated her 1st birthday on Nov. 7) the Kinsey Racing team made the trek out west to Phoenix, AZ for the IHBA World Finals. Twelve Top Alcohol Flat boats entered the event and IHBA only puts the top eight in eliminations on Sunday. The main objective of the weekend was to be competitive and to make the show on Sunday. Qualifying rounds started on Friday, and Marcus drove Bad Company to the #6 spot on the ladder with a 7.44 e.t. with two rounds of qualifying remaining. On Saturday, Bad Company's time improved to a 7.30 second e.t. By the end of the day, other drivers improved their times too putting Bad Company in the #8 spot, the final spot for Sunday's eliminations. On Sunday, Bad Company was paired with the #1 qualifier, Habit Forming. The lights began to flash as the engines roared and they took off. Marcus crossed the line a little too soon bringing out the red light and ending the race at the starting line. Habit Forming took the round win.
Race #8: SDBA Finals in Waco, TX
The 2007 SDBA Season ended where it began, in Waco, TX. The Bad Company team came into Waco hoping to end the season on a good note, and that they did. On Saturday, Marcus was definitely on his game when he cut an .035 reaction time to put him in the lead for the $500 prize money for the best reaction time in the TAF Class. Bad Company qualified 3rd with a 7.61 e.t. The Oklahoman (points leader) was on his game also when he set a new Top Alcohol Flat e.t. record at 6.619 seconds... taking the #1 qualifying spot. On Sunday, Bad Company was paired with War Party for the Semi-finals. Both drivers got a little antsy on the start causing both of them to red light. Because War Party left before Bad Company and had a worse red light, Bad Company was declared the winner, advancing to the finals to face The Oklahoman. In the finals, it was a match up between the #1 and #2 in the point standings. The Oklahoman continued his consistency, stopping the clocks in 6.63 seconds to take the win. Bad Company was the runner-up with a 7.31 second e.t. Marcus took home the prize money for the best reaction time in the TAF class. BAD COMPANY IS THE 2007 SDBA TOP ALCOHOL FLAT HIGH POINTS RUNNER-UP
Race #7: Lakefest in Marble Falls, TX
After a whirlwind week of media attention, the Bad Company team showed their star power in their hometown of Marble Falls. Bad Company got progressively faster every time the boat entered the water, qualifying 4th with a 7.36 e.t. In the first round of eliminations, Bad Company was paired with All Lit Up. Marcus cut an absolutely awesome reaction time to immediately take the lead, but the didn't take a good set in the water and he had to let out of it before half track. All Lit Up became the eventual runner-up of the event with Mako Force as the winner.
Race #6: Cowtown Nationals in Fort Worth, TX
After not being able to race in Oklahoma City, the Kinsey Racing bunch was itching to get down to business. Marcus qualified fourth with an 8.12 but was eliminated in the first round on Sunday as Night Moves advanced to the second round. Look for Bad Company to try to put on a good show in their hometown of Marble Falls this weekend.
Race #5: Bricktown Nationals - Oklahoma City, OK
The recent floods in Texas & Oklahoma caused too much debris in the water. The water was too unsafe for the boats to run.
Race #4: Showdown in San Angelo, TX
For the second week in a row the SDBA traveled to a new race site, and the races were a big success! Bad Company made it the final round for the second week in a row, and inched closer to first in points since the point leader was not in San Angelo. Night Moves took the win for the first time in 9 years, congrats to Bob Raber! Andy Dement (driver of Red Alert - TAF) will be on hand in Oklahoma City to help the Bad Boyz conquer Bricktown.
Race #3: Thunder in the Canyon - Lubbock, TX
The patrons of Lubbock showed their enthusiasm and sheer excitement as the SDBA brought the boat races to the Buffalo Springs Lake for the first time. Many of them roamed the pits and gathered autographs from the drivers. The Kinsey Racing crew tried their best to put on a good show for the fans. Many, many people came to visit the Bad Company pit area, getting Marcus' autograph, taking pictures and some even buying t-shirts. On Saturday, the Top Alcohol Flats only got one round of qualifying due to the windy conditions on the water, but Marcus was able to qualify in the second position. On Sunday, it was Bad Company vs. The Oklahoman in the finals. The Oklahoman took the win, Bad Company remained in SECOND in the points standings... padding the point cushion over third.
Race #2: Heart of Texas Thunder - Brady, TX
After what seemed like a long month off, the SDBA race season continued in Brady, Texas. Friday, June 1, the Kinsey Racing team put Bad Company on display at The Beer Barn and McShan's IGA in Brady. They had lots of fun and talked to lots of people about the races. Thanks to Mike & Cathie Harris from The Beer Barn and Kevin Vaughn from McShan's IGA. The fun continued at the Show and Shine on Friday night, which the city decided to move to the square in downtown Brady. For the second straight year the crowd voted Bad Company as the "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" of the Show and Shine. On Saturday, Bad Company qualified 2nd with an 8.33. When the day was over, the team discovered a broken rocker arm in the engine. They worked all night to try to get it fixed for Sunday, but no one had the part we needed. On Sunday, the team decided to make the call and try to run on seven cylinders. Bad Company faced Night Moves in the Semi-finals. The blower belt on Bad Company blew at the start and Marcus was un able to drive through the 1/4 mile course. Night Moves advanced to the finals to face The Oklahoman. The Oklahoman took the event win and the points lead, and Bad Company moved into SECOND in the points standings!
Race #1: Duel on the Brazos - Waco, TX
The SDBA kicked off the '07 race season in Waco, TX on April 27, 2007. After a long off season, you could just feel the excitement in the air. The Bad Company race team entered this race hoping to put last year behind them. Marcus needed to gain his confidence in the new boat, and the crew was just anxious to see what it would do. Marcus spent Friday & Saturday getting used to how the boat set in the water getting progressively better each time he hit the water. When the sun set on Saturday, Marcus had informed the crew that the fun had returned!! Bad Company qualified SECOND. On Sunday, in the Semi-Finals, Bad Company faced The Oklahoman (driven by Ken Singleton). Bad Company stopped the clocks in 7.66 seconds but the Oklahoman advanced to the finals leaving Bad Company to finish THIRD. In an Exhibition run later in the afternoon, Marcus drove Bad Company through the 1/4 mile in 7.57 seconds, proving he's only getting better.