By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Oct. 27, 2003
Trent Blocker has always loved to go fast. Only recently did he grow tired of roads, and the lifelong drag racer started going fast on the water.
The Meridian native recently began competing in the Outboard Drag Boat Association, and even as a rookie, has made quite a splash.
Transitioning from races on asphalt strips to flying across a quarter-mile of water at over 100 miles per hour took time, Blocker admits.
In fact, the expense is what got Blocker started in drag boat racing.
One of drag boat racing's top teams, Blocker joined up with Team Boatworks and was privy to 11 years of experience and research. For the rookie Blocker, the team's assistance proved invaluable as he won the ODBA's World Championship for modified production in Jasper, Tenn. on Oct. 11.
Normally a super stock racer, Blocker entered the modified production competition to test a new boat in anticipation of the 2004 season and found instant success.
Blocker's old boat was an open-capsule boat, while the new boat has a closed capsule. Blocker admits the chances of being seriously injured in an open-capsule craft are high, but the closed capsule provides far greater protection.
Getting it ready will not be a cheap venture, though. Preparing a competitive drag racing boat costs big bucks, and while the rewards fall far short of the preparation costs, Blocker said he remains committed to the sport.