Rough n Ready Racing warmed up for their upcoming California Independent Funny Car Association title defence at the Redding Dragstrip in Redding, California, at the weekend.

The amateur drag racing syndicate, owned by Bermudian Harvey Williams Jr, used the Cool April Nights exhibition event primarily to test their funny car ahead of the CIFCA season opener this weekend at the team’s home racetrack at Sacramento Raceway Park.

“It is more like a test-and-tune for us, but we also go up there to put on a show for the fans,” Jacqueline Williams, the Rough n Ready spokeswoman, told The Royal Gazette.

“It was just exhibition all the way around; just getting the car dialled in for Funny Car Fever. This event was all about going out and having fun.”

Female driver Madi Hanser and Chris Bates drove the team’s 1965 Mustang GT funny car.

“Madi made her first official first licensing pass in the funny car,” Williams added. “You have to make six good passes to get your licence in any car. She has five more to go before she is fully able to drive a funny car.

“Chris did a 125ft burnout for our exhibition pass that made the crowd go wild,” Williams added.

Rough n Ready Racing was also represented in the dragster division with Devin Huddlestun tending to duties behind the wheel of the team’s car.

“Devin ran against Rick Alvarado’s funny car and took the stripe,” Williams added.

“All around, we made huge strides and looking forward to starting off the CIFCA season on a strong note.

“Both funny cars are dialled in for our 5.90 index and are ready to perform this weekend at Funny Car Fever.”

The team’s funny cars are poised to undergo a new paint scheme in honour of Williams’s late father, Harvey Sr, who recently passed away.

“Later on this year there will be a reveal of the car’s new paint scheme in tribute to the late Harvey Sr,” Williams said.

The champions will be keen to capitalise on home-field advantage and lay a marker tomorrow at the Sacramento Raceway Park, the first event of a five-race series.

The venue will also host the season finale on September 17 and 18, with the remaining races taking place at the Samoa Dragstrip (June 18 and 19), Redding Dragstrip (August 13 and 14) and Medford Dragstrip (September 11 and 12).

Rough n Ready Racing won every event held last season, which was reduced to three because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a result, they were denied an official defence of their 2019 title, having fallen short of the regulatory five races required to declare a champion.

Williams’s team won the Funny Car Fever, the Battle at the Beach and a fourth Governor's Cup in five years.

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 whom compete in funny cars powered by super-charged, alcohol engines, which usually last a full season between teardowns.