Top Fuel Hydro Drag Boats - Problem Child Wins 2011 World Championship

Benicia, Calif. (November 28, 2011) – Following a string of breathtaking victories at over 240mph, Darryl Ehrlich piloted the Eddie Knox Racing "Problem Child" to a final 2011 victory at the NAPA Auto Parts World Finals on November 20th at Firebird Lake in Phoenix, securing the Championship in the Lucas Oil sponsored series in the Red Line Oil equipped Top Fuel Hydroplane.

Problem Child dominated the finals with a stout number one qualifying pass of 3.49 @ 254 mph, backed up with a string of passes 3.4 second range, thanks to meticulous preparation of the boat's 8,000 horsepower, nitromethane-burning engine. Ehrlich capped the season with a 3.55et @ 240mph against Scotty Lumbert in the Spirit of Texas TFH for the win. Knox's team now holds the Top Fuel Championship title, as well as the class record of 3.39 seconds @ 261mph at 1,000 feet.

"We're thrilled, it has been a storybook season," said team owner Eddie Knox. "The boat ran well all season, Daryl did a fantastic job behind the wheel, and both Red Line Oil and Kalitta Motorsports helped tremendously both with power and reliability. We can’t wait until 2012."

The race for the championship was an exciting one, as headed into the World Finals the team had a 91 point lead (less than one round) on the Rockstar Spirit of Texas. After qualifying #1 with Rockstar’s entry qualifying #2, Problem Child only gained 2 points, still less than one round win apart in points. After the Lucas Oil Speed Sport Special broke in the first round, it meant the winner of the final heat would win both the race AND the championship. In the fateful final round, the Rockstar boat lost its supercharger and Problem Child took the win with a 240mph pass. Problem Child relies on a full complement of Red Line Oil products, including 70WT Race Oil, Heavy ShockProof gear oil, Liquid Assembly Lube and more. These are the same products used in Del Worsham’s Al-Anabi Top Fuel Dragster, which won the 2011 NHRA Championship the week prior.