Rough-N-Ready Racing produced another solid showing to keep their bid for a third California Independent Funny Car Association title on track.

The drag racing team, owned by Bermudian Harvey Williams Jr, finished runners-up at the Thunder Under the Lights at the Redding Dragstrip in Redding, California, last weekend.

Williams’s team was the top qualifier going into the final but came up just shy of defending their title after losing to rivals Junior Vibes in what was a repeat of last year’s final.

“The shoe was on the other foot this year,” Jacqueline Williams, the team crew member, said.

“Our driver Chris Bates pulled a 7.44 seconds at 179mph while James [Maher] ran a 7.51 at 181mph.

“All around our team qualified No 1 in both qualifying sessions and headed to the finals.”

The team’s car, which races under the name “Happy Hour”, and is powered by a 598 Big Block Chevy with powerglide transmission, showed early promise during a test run on the eve of the two-day event.

“Our first test run was a bit surprising but we landed a 7.17 at 190mph,” Williams added.

To date the team has a best elapsed time of 6.97sec and fastest time of 196mph.

Rough-N-Ready Racing presently hold a 188-point advantage over nearest rivals and defending Cifca champions Jr Vibes at the top of the championship points standings with two races remaining in the season.

“As it sits, we are No 1 in points and are hoping to take home two more wins to wrap up our 2019 season with Cifca,” said Williams, whose team finished runners-up to champions Junior Vibes in last season’s Cifca championship.

Originated in 1984, the Cifca is a West Coast drag racing association that specialises in affordable funny car shows.

Its membership boasts more than 36 teams, the majority of which compete in funny cars powered by supercharged, alcohol engines, which usually last a complete season between teardowns.

Approximately 1,200 horsepower is necessary for a 2,000lb funny car to able to run mid seven-second elapsed times in the ¼mile.