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July 9, 2004 Sonoma Weekend wrap-up for Ben Harper:

Ben Harper and the Curt Schendel A/Fuel team went into Somona and their second Lucas Oil event of the year with a lot of confidence as the new motor program is making more power, the Sonoma track is one of the best on the West Coast. 14 cars were at Sonoma so it was gong to take a low 5.60 or 5.50 to just get into the field. On our first lap we were to aggressive and smoked the tires.
In round two, we were the last car down, and the car did one of those lousy a/fuel burnouts, but we stormed to a 5.63/262 which put us on the bump.
We wanted to run a little quicker to assure us a spot in eliminations on Sunday. Unfortunately, we basically matched our second session 5.60 with a 5.64 that kept us in the #8 spot. Being we were first pair out we had to wait and see if our time would hold. Five of the cars behind us ran and could not bump us out, so it was down to Johnny Ahten. He went out and ran a career best 5.550/267 to take away the final spot in qualifying. Two events in a row, and two #9 spots in the field!
"We ran much better this weekend at 5.630 seconds at 262.39 mph but still failed to make the show. We are very happy with our improvements but still have a long way to go to be on top of Division 7. These guys and gals are tuff out here and it a real battle just to make it to Sunday"!!
"Our NEW motor and fuel system combination is making TON'S of power and we just need to learn to manage it. The crew is doing their job FLAWLESSLY and we are becoming a better team every pass down the track. I want to thank all of our sponsors for hanging with us during our learning curve. Our car owner Curt Schendel is providing us with a great car and Craig Rohde is tuning us up better everytime we run "

The team would like to thank Accuflex Golf Shafts (www.accuflexgolf.com) and Cuesta Equipment (www.cuestaequipment.com) to our team of sponsors, that include major sponsors, INTEGRA Golf Company (www.integragolf.net) and Regal Advisory Services (www.regaladvisory.com)

AccuFLEX is the premier golf shaft on the PGA, LPGA, LDA and Senior Golf tours. AccuFLEX shafts have earned a total of seven victories on the PGA, Champions and Nationwide Tours. AccuFLEX shafts were used by Victor Schwamkrug, who set the record for the longest driving average ever on any PGA tour with a 339.3 yard average in 2003. AccuFLEX Golf Shafts have been used to win 10 major long drive championships over the last two years.

Cuesta Equipment is one of the largest industrial supply, commercial hardware and equipment providers to contractors, Agricultural companies, Wineries and Golf Courses throughout California. They are specialists in the business of winery tools, equipment and supplies. They stock many of the VERY hard to find tools, parts and products not found at your local home depot!

Ben and Curt would like to thank the other members of the team including Tom Tous, Leon Fitzgerald, Jeff Seraphine, Eddie Billet, Amy Conant and Jack Smith for all their effort on the weekend.

Out other associate sponsors include Golf pride Grips, UDC Corp, R&B machine, TSI - Titanium services, Billet PRO, Law Offices of David Tous, Lucas Oil, Shapeitup.com and Circus Circus Casino Las Vegas.