John Hipwell Correspondence

1995 ADBA Annual Awards Winners
Best Crew Chief of the Year, John Hipwell
Best Asst. Crew Chief of the Year, Rocky

 
From the Desk of John Hipwell, January '99
Triple Digit Racing - Letter of Thanks

1998 - Wow, what a year!!!  When the webmaster tells me we need to write another special thanks letter for the website I don't even know where to begin. We moved on after the Greenwood Lake incident at the same rapid pace as the start of our Top Fuel adventure, and finished the year with the new Triple Digit IV boat. And as always, I owe much thanks to my sponsors, my wife, and core crew (Richard, Mike, & Richie).

With that out of the way, I still have a mile long list of personal thank you's that need spread around so here goes...

The sponsors first of course - much thanks to Bill Spresser from Phoenix Airport Days Inn, Colon Abbott from Abbott's Landscaping, and to Tom Walker from Walker Heating and Air Conditioning.

The Family second - many more thanks to Eileen Hipwell (can't forget Mom), and Jo-Ann Hipwell my wife.

The boat's family Next (aka The Crew) - Thanks to Don Frazee and Matt ("Spike") from Landing Auto Body, Mike Miscovits, Richard Martin, Mike Eden, Chip O'Connor, and Richie Seibert.  And most importantly to Roxanne Seibert, the webmaster of this site who I'm convinced has some sort of Triple Digit magic up her sleeve at all times.  Six months ago when she said "website" I was excited - I was picturing a virtual one page Ad on the internet. What I got instead was a showpiece (and a lot of homework assignments from the boss).  The "website" ended up being an inspiration, and even more encouraging was the fact that we took 1,000 hits the first month and kept that number as an average for six months running!!!  Who would of known there was that much dragboat interest out there just waiting to be tapped. Thanks Rox, you made it all happen.

I owe so much gratitude to all these people, because of all of you there is a Triple Digit IV in my garage and another Top Fuel season on the horizon.

 
From the Desk of John Hipwell, May '98

Over the last 13 years, I've become addicted to drag boat racing and now it is my way of life.  I owe a lifetime worth of thanks to my wife Jo-Ann for her patience and support.  I also owe a great deal of thanks to my sponsors who have stood by me, and to Rocky who was there to see me through all the times both good and bad.  But most importantly, I have to thank my crew for helping me take my never ending need for speed, and turn it into a top fuel reality! 

In 1997 when I went from blown alcohol to running fuel, I came to realize none too easily who my true friends were.  Here I was in the top fuel pits, and facing 7 other boats in the class.  Doug and Sharon McManus (original owners of Money to Burn), were at my side after making their own graceful exit from the drag boat arena.  And on my other side stood drag boat bracket racers Richie Seibert and Richard Martin.  Plus I had something even better then a second set of hands, I had Mike Miskovits spending almost as much time caring for my engine as I did.  Also, I can't forget to mention that Roger Wray was there for me too whenever I needed anything. 

But I have to say this, I put together a crew where none of us ever worked on a fuel deal before.  We got together and everything just clicked as if we had been doing it for years.  I think after the 2nd Run out on the boat we were able to pull the engine, replace all exhaust valves, replace 8 pistons and rods, remove all the underwater hardware and check for cracks, put her all back together, and we did it in Under 2 Hours!!!  By the time we hit Highpoint for my second race running fuel, the crew always had Triple Digit first in line when our class was called, and sometimes even without me being suited up.  We now have the between rounds work down to under a hour and a half, and I couldn't possible ask for a better crew.  Thanks guys, without you I don't know what I'd do!