Yes, Tom had the Cuckoo’s Nest Top Fuel hydro. They held one or two exhibitions on the Columbia River just a mile from here but had to discontinue due to an eddy in the river (real exciting at 200+). I was a customer of Mr. Wright’s motorcycle shop and a fan.
I first saw a drag boat race in the late 60s at SkiLand in Perris, CA. and I was hooked. My friends and I would travel anywhere to see them. I saw Smoke on The Water break the 200mph mark at Long Beach Marine Stadium. I saw that same boat crash at Irvine Lake years later. Lake Ming in Bakersfield was one of my favorite venues. I have many good memories connected with that place and with racing.