Rough-N-Ready Racing basked in glory after clinching their third California Independent Funny Car Association championship at the weekend.

The funny car drag racing syndicate, owned by Bermudian Harvey Williams Jr, were crowned champions competing at last Saturday’s season-ending Governors Cup held at their home track at Sacramento Raceway Park.

Williams’s team led the season points standings heading into the event over nearest rival Junior Vibes, the only other team in contention for the overall championship.

Despite having confidence in their 1986 Corvette body funny car, “Happy Hour”, which runs on methane alcohol, Rough-N-Ready Racing’s championship hopes hung in the balance after they were disqualified in the first round for a foul start.

This meant that a win for Junior Vibes would see them pip Williams’s team for the championship series at the final race of the season for the second straight year.

However, Rough-N-Ready Racing would not suffer the same fate as they did twelve months earlier as Junior Vibes lost in the final to No More Alimony.

“When we saw the win light come on for Troxel (No More Alimony driver Mike Troxel) we automatically started jumping up and down crying,” Jacqueline Williams, the Rough-N-Ready team member, said. “We hugged everyone and got congratulated.

“Harvey [sibling and team owner] and I both said we had God and our grandfather, Harold Williams, looking down on us.”

Rough-N-Ready Racing won three races of the six-race CIFCA championship series en route to the title.

“We wouldn’t have won the championship without help and support from ATO Transmission, Crackaway, State Farm, River Valley Construction, Williams Boat Craft and everyone else who helped out big time this year,” Harvey Williams Jr, the team’s owner, said.

“We are all entirely grateful for all the people who supported us this year.”

The team’s successful campaign did come without its share of setbacks which put their resolve and character to the test.

“This season was one of the toughest seasons we’ve had in a very long time,” Jacqueline Williams said.

“Considering we had major motor issues along with transmission issues we persevered, even if it meant staying up late nights before the race even started the next day.”

Team owner Harvey Williams Jr already has his sights on the next season.

“We will be returning next year with a brand new funny car body, a 1965 Mustang GT,” said Williams Jr.

“As a team we will come out swinging in full force and ready to go fight the good fight as usual.”

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 quarter-mile.

Members compete for points, cash and contingencies and take great pride in their operations.