anyone who drove the cheez monster without crashing is the best .

T-dawg gets the nod on this one!!

Hey Tod, do you remember watching the Cheez Monster flop down the track at Irvine?? That was exciting!! I think the drivers name was Price or something like that.

Funny someone should mention the Cheeze Monster. I hope the person who owns this picture doesn't mind me posting it. Take care everybody,

See Top Wop if that guy did not crash then he is the best flat bottom driver , Hi EK , Yes I do remember that hence my post , Oh by the way HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody !!!!!!

Here's one that hasn't been brought up yet, Chuck Noriega in his BGF

Tod I have to agree 100% on that. Eddie, have you found your blower gremlin yet???

Happy New Year everybody...

Haven't really looked yet Bruce, been taking a break from working on the $hit-box!!!!!
Hopefully we'll find that Gremlin before the season starts.
Happy new years!!

OK off the top of my head, my Top 5 favorites, here we go;

#1  Johnny Heideman - You have to give the King his due, the undisputed fastest, 179 MPH, More runs over 170 than anyone ever, the best boat save at Red Bluff I have ever seen, This guy is Bad to the Bone.

#2  Dino Warda - The most natural talented, funny lunatic you could ever meet. The 360 at Red Bluff in the BGF, The Barrel Roll @ Red Bluff in Dan's TAF, The boat save @ Firebird, I have never laughed harder than the time I spent with him and his family.

#3  Sunny Jones - Just had it going on, What couldn't he drive and make it look easy?

#4  Al Bush - The Crazy Horse was one Bad Ass Ride, head and sholders above their competition in their day and Bush drove the propeller  off that thing.

#5  Toby Slagle - Northwest BGF guy from way back, Black Gas, Little Thunder, Itialian Stallion, Spooky

OK off the top of my head, my Top 5 favorites, here we go;

#1  Johnny Heideman - You have to give the King his due, the undisputed fastest, 179 MPH, More runs over 170 than anyone ever, the best boat save at Red Bluff I have ever seen, This guy is Bad to the Bone.

#2  Dino Warda - The most natural talented, funny lunatic you could ever meet. The 360 at Red Bluff in the BGF, The Barrel Roll @ Red Bluff in Dan's TAF, The boat save @ Firebird, I have never laughed harder than the time I spent with him and his family.

#3  Sunny Jones - Just had it going on, What couldn't he drive and make it look easy?

#4  Al Bush - The Crazy Horse was one Bad Ass Ride, head and sholders above their competition in their day and Bush drove the propeller  off that thing.

#5  Toby Slagle - Northwest BGF guy from way back, Black Gas, Little Thunder, Itialian Stallion, Spooky

Great thread!! Certainly I agree with nearly all that have been prevously posted. I'd would like to add one of my favorites; the late Jim Benson. Seems he with his brother tuning, could win anytime they were on the rope.

The Best Flatbottom Driver of all time??? "Ray Caselli" But you may also want add to the list, Phil Heckondorf UFF/TAF, Dale Sonabend UGF, Bob Morgan and Wayne Mettler.

I agree he is a lunatic.  Anyone that can barrel roll a flat then try to start it as it is floating next to the island is a nut job.  How about the save at Chowchilla in 1999 at about 3/4 track.

Hey there guys , nice picks but what about robby sanders and jerry davis ,these two guys have made more baf passes than any body ever i think. robby was unbeatable in the sdba for years!! than jerry continues to win or place everywhere and he has thrilled us all with his unending support and enthusiasm!!

Ray Capaldi is truly one of the greats. I can remember Ray in the early years when it all started, even before the runner bottom. He and Ted Faggart started about the same time. He has done it all and set numerous records in the process. I can't recall ever seeing Ray get wet in a flat. Let us not forget Tommy Robbins BGF Chestnut, Robert Jordan BGF and BFF Tasmanium Devil and Virgil Fields BGF Little Beaver

Ray got a little damp at Orovillle . If you are out there : Hi Ray !!! TT

How about some of my favorits some mentioned and some not.  Ted Faggart ugf, Dozen Dale Sonnabend ugf, Wane Mettler ugf, Dennie Vashale comp flat,  Tonny Scaraltta, good friend helped me get my first Canyon, I don't believe that Larry Peto and his Comp. Flat. Drag-on,  the only flat driver that I know to make a living driving Comp. Flat., has been mentioned yet. All except for Wayne I got to race them all and They always gave me Hell, but it has been a great Journey!

How about my favorite Vince Nelson in Hellbound Train. I guess that might be a little bias!!  Ah Larry Peto, Like you said how many actually made a living like him driving boats!!!!!!

I'll have to agree with 'Boat Guy' - Wayne Mettler is among the greatest flatbottom drivers list!! He is also #1 at making flatbottom boats!! Many flatbottom drivers
that have driven "CANYON" boats will tell you that they not only are the best flats but also the safest.
Here's a few names for you - Bob Dice #505, Don Ermshar #210, Fred Passoth #075, Greg Snyder #824
FYI - Wayne's got flatbottom records that to this day have not been broken, Frantic Rat #210 UFF

You might also want to add Bill Kuhns (Porky Pig) to the list. He owned BGF for many years and used to pick on the fuelers at the end of the day!!! He's probably been mentioned already but Jim Ermshar has to be one of my favorites. Great Driver Great guy. He was always very kind to me and a lot of moral support when I started. Between he and Kuhns they may have been the best "GAS" tuner/drivers of all time.

without a doubt Eddie Knox !

i think your talkign about my dad wayne barrett from killeen texas if this is the same guy can you contact me as me and him have split ways but i am interested in things he acomplished my email is maayne@aol.com
Corey Wayne Barrett