October 6, 2009

Las Vegas, Nevada

On September 19th and 20th, the team travels to Vegas to compete with the Motorcycle Drag Racing Association. MDRA provides venues primarily on the West Coast for all makes of drag bikes. Check out www.mdra4u.com for the latest results.

“Test’n’Tune”
Danny climbs aboard the Destroyer and makes a pass down the track posting a 10 second pass. Next, he makes a pass with the Pro Gas V-Rod putting up a 9.45 pass. After that pass JR realized that something was wrong with the bike. A quick inspection and JR finds a vaccuum line off. Now the bike is back in the 8's.


Saturday Qualifying

Karen Wagner visits the pits to discuss our options as to which classes we would like to compete in. After understanding the index classes the team decides on Pro ET for the Destroyer while the Turbo Charged V-Rod would race in the Super Comp and HD Pro Gas classes. A quick sprocket change on the Pro Gas bike was needed to be competitive in the Super Comp bike as the team realized we would not be competivie in the Pro Gas class at this time. Both Karen and Stan Shepard had bikes much quicker than ours. 

Pro Gas
Round 1- 9.255 seconds at 147.15 mph
Round 2- 9.324 seconds at 145.17 mph
Round 3- 9.078 seconds at 146.70 mph

Super Comp (9.05 index)
Round 1- 9.309 seconds at 145.67 mph
Round 2- 9.251 seconds at 145.14 mph
Round 3- 9.055 seconds at 147.47 mph

Pro ET (Destroyer)
Round 1- 10.048 seconds at 133.78 mph
Round 2- 10.095 seconds at 129.98 mph
Round 3- 10.029 seconds at 133.67 mph

Danny qualifies the bikes in all three classes (1st in Super Comp., 2nd in Pro Gas and we're not sure how he placed in Pro ET on the V-Rod Destroyer)

Sunday Eliminations

The team learns that Karen Wagner was forced to remove herself from the Pro Gas class as her bike litterly exploded in the water box on the very first round of qualifying. Karen is always a very tuff competitor and would have won the event if her bike could have been fixed.

Round #1
Pro Gas, Dannys paired up with Fred Love in the first and Semi Final rounds. This would be the very first time racing against Fred in any class so the team is not sure what to expect. When the lights turned green Danny gets the Hole shot with a .201 reaction time against Fred's .370. By half track the turbo charged bike had almost a full second advantage with Danny taking the win at the strip with a 9.109 pass to Fred's 10.328 

Super Comp (9.05 index), Danny’s paired up with bike #27. Danny's back on his game while he cuts a .067 light at the tree. Danny's competitor breaks just shortly after launch giving Danny an easy win with a 9.331 second pass at 122.23 miles per hour.

Pro ET, Danny is up against bike # 7099, (the MDRA model to the left of Danny in the "Winner's Circle" picture). This lady is riding a very fast bike and is currently in the lead for points in the MDRA Pro ET class. Danny dials in at 10.00 while she post a 8.97 dial in. Just prior to the run we noticed she was having trouble getting her bike into the staging beams. Not sure about the setup on the bike but was obvious she was not focused due to her difficultys. Danny got off the line with a .055 reaction to her .152 and by the end of the pass, Danny got the win light when she broke out of her dial in with an 8.906 pass when Danny posted a 10.022

Finals
Pro Gas, Dannys paired up with Stan Shepard in the final round. Danny's a bit late at the tree with a .103 reaction time against Stan's .047. Stan's 160 cubic inch motor powers down the track to take the win with a 8.340 pass to Danny's 9.086.

Super Comp, Danny's paired up with bike #90 in the final round of Super Comp. When the light went green both bikes launched off the line side by side. At the 60 footer the bikes both ran the same exact time but by half track the turbo pulled ahead by 3 tenths. Danny backs off the throttle at the strip to take an easy win. Danny's time, 9.292 seconds at 123.96 mph to his competitors time of 9.598 at 138.70 miles per hour. Danny gets his first win on the new turbo charged vrod.

Danny gets a "bye run" in the next round of Pro ET. Danny puts down a 10.057 second pass against his 10.00 dial in. The Destroyer has been very consistant all weekend long and has truly demonstrated it's ability to run with the bracket bikes.

Semi Final
Pro ET, Danny dials in at 10.00 seconds while bike #7618 dials in at 8.50. Dannys matched up against a very fast Pro Street "busa". Danny's out first with a good reaction time of .029 to his competitors .133 and looked to be close to the 330 before the "busa" gets off the line. But when the bikes cross the line, Danny had broke out of his index the very first time by .017 seconds. Danny had crossed the line almost a full tenth ahead of the "busa". Danny is normally very good at "Wheel Racing" his competitors but this time the voices in his head would not allow him to back down from the very quick "busa". Danny state later that this would not happen the next time (check out the pictures by Hooligan and you make the call).

Additional News

The team has decided to attend many more of the MDRA (Motorcycle Drag Racing Association) events. This organization provides many opportunities for the team to gain exposure as well as meet more interesting people across the western unitied states. Running against the many different makes of bikes also proves the capabilities of the teams Harley Davidson V-Rods.

Special Thanks!
To Karen Wagner and Brandy Matterson for all the help getting us started with the MDRA orgainization.

August 24th, 2009

Woodburn, Oregon

AHDRA finally finds their way “West” for the first, last and only “West Coast” event of the year. The AHDRA racing series has made concessions to overcome the current economy.  Based out of North Carolina, scheduling races close will minimize traveling expenses for AHDRA.

“Test’n’Tune”
The new “Turbo Charged” V-Rod was placed in the “Pro Gas” class as expected by the team. Danny moving into the “Pro Class” must pass the certification process in order to race the new bike over the weekend. The team utilizes the “Test’n’Tune” sessions to do just that. After the new bike passes technical inspections, Danny starts making passes down the track following instructions provided by Tim, the AHDRA technical director. Two “Half Track” passes and a “Full Track” pass and Danny gets the “Green” light to qualify the bike. Danny still must remain within 1 and ½ seconds of the #1 Qualifier during the event in order to achieve his license.

By the end of the event, Danny gets his Pro Class license.

Saturday Qualifying

Pro Gas
Round 1- 8.780 seconds at 153.00 mph
Round 2- 8.963 seconds at 152.05 mph
Round 3- BROKE- just shortly after the boost kicked in a part from the bikes starts bouncing down the track. Danny immediately lets off the throttle and pulls over to the wall and shuts down the bike. The rear axle nut did not have sufficient torque to hold the axle in place.

Super Gas (9.70 index)
Round 1- 9.775 seconds at 111.87 mph
Round 2- 9.794 seconds at 133.43 mph
Round 3- 9.578 seconds at 138.95 mph

Destroyer
Round 1- 9.603 seconds at 137.42 mph
Round 2- 9.620 seconds at 137.76 mph
Round 3- 9.620 seconds at 138.46 mph

Danny qualifies the bikes in all three classes (4th in Pro Gas, 5th in Super Gas and 7th in V-Rod Destroyer)

Sunday Eliminations
Sunday morning provided sunny skies and good weather. Due to the very low “Bike Count” at the event there were no “Elimination Runs” prior to opening ceremonies.

Round #1
Destroyer, The team has serious reservations about the new rule changes for the Destroyer class. The rules, specifically; 1) increase the rider/bike weight from 730 pounds to 770 pounds, 2) run the stock fuel map and 3) run the VP fuels were all implemented in an attempt to increase the bike count at each event. This year the AHDRA has seen a serious drop in “Bike Count” in the Destroyer class but the number of Destroyers at the Woodburn event was impressive, so, why so many V-Rod Destroyers and so few in the Destroyer class?

Adding an additional 40 pounds increased the amount of weight we had on our bike from 34 to 74. Danny weights in at 145 pounds, add the additional 74 pounds to Danny’s weight is 219 pounds. Basically, AHDRA is catering to riders that weight in at 220 pounds or so.

Anyway, back to racing action. Danny’s paired up with bike #11, Jeff Stevens. Danny gets the hole shot but Jeff quickly makes up the difference by the 60 footer. By ½ track Jeff has over a 10th of a second advantage and takes it out the back with the win. Danny looses first round, 9.552 seconds to Jeff’s 9.324.

Super Gas (9.70 index), Danny’s paired up with bike #2, Wanda Poff. Sporting the #2 plate signifies that Wanda is ranked second in the Nation in the Super Gas class. Wanda has reaction times unsurpassed by any rider in the series. As the light turned green both riders left the line. Only this time, Danny has the better reaction time (.024 to Wanda’s .049). As the bikes cross the finish line, it’s apparent that both riders broke out of the index. The rider that breaks out the least amount will take the win. Danny broke out with a 9.687 second pass to Wanda’s 9.692. Wanda gets the win.

Pro Gas, Danny is up against bike # 199, Matt Spencer. Matt qualified his bike with an 8.931 leaving the team to believe that we actually had a chance in the first round. Danny launches the bike and makes a respectable pass with an 8.847 run at 151.77 miles per hour but looses the round to Matt’s 8.243 seconds at 160.08 miles per hour. The team has its work cut out for them in order to compete in this class.

Additional News
The team would like to thank those in the Pro Class division for all their assistance with tools and parts to get the Pro Gas bike repaired so we could compete during Sunday’s eliminations. Special “Thank You” to Karen Wagner who visited our pits to ensure we had what was needed to make the repairs.

The team has decided to attend the MDRA (Motorcycle Drag Racing Association) event currently scheduled September 19th and 20th in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event provides another opportunity to figure out the new rule changes for the Destroyer as well as getting more time on the Turbo Charged Pro Gas bike.

Special Thanks!
To this years sponsors, Durango Harley Davidson, JOY Mining Machinery, Pillar Innovations and Planet Beach of Rio Rancho for the financial support that allows us to travel to these events.

Rockingham, North Carolina

Friday Qualifying

Super Gas (9.70 index)
Round 1- 9.484 seconds at 134.98mph (team decided to use this pass looking for improvement for the VRD class, realizing the same results, the team has got to work hard to find the problem, Harv believes the motor is hurt from the previous race, JR thinks the problem lies within the clutch).

Super Sport (10.30 index)
Round 1- 10.266 seconds at 108.91mph

Screamin’ Eagle Performance (11.50 index)
Round 1- 11.656 seconds at 98.67 mph

Destroyer
Round 1- 9.440 seconds at 138.30 mph

Saturday’s Events

“Screamin’ Eagle East Coast High Stakes SHOOTOUT”
Once each season, the AHDRA and Screamin’ Eagle put up $15,000 dollars for this event ($12,000 to the winner and $3,000 to the runner-up). Any Harley Davidson “Sportsman Class” motorcycle and rider can enter the event for $100 per rider. This is the only time that JR (the crew chief) gets to run his 2003 Softail down the track. Danny chooses to ride the Turbo V-Rod for the event on this occasion.
Both JR and Danny each get one pass down the track to determine the dial in for the next run. JR spins out violently but doesn’t let off the throttle on his test run. Danny’s pass is slower than normal as he to faded to the right

leaving the line.JR is first out when he “Red Lit” at the starting line on his very first elimination pass. Danny breaks out of his dial in but only to get the win when his competitor broke out worst. Danny dials in with a lower number for the next pass realizing the bike is coming around as conditions improve. The turbo spools up and produces yet another 10.06 pass while Danny dialed in at 10.25 (the “ole man” said it was a 10.0 bike but someone felt different, hmmmmm). Now the team switches focus back to qualifying the bikes.

Saturday Qualifying

Super Gas (9.70 index)
Round 2- 9.770 seconds at 113.87mph
Round 3- 9.385 seconds at 136.41mph
 
Super Sport (10.30 index)
Round 2- 10.345 seconds at 104.96mph

Screamin’ Eagle Performance (11.50 index)
Round 2- 11.486 seconds at 100.88 mph

Destroyer
Round 2- 9.373 seconds at 134.58mph

Rain moved into the area and shut down the track for the rest of the evening. Most teams only got two qualifying sessions under their belt. Fortunately for our team, Danny was able to get all three bikes in all four classes qualified before the rain started

Sunday Eliminations

Sunday morning provided sunny skies and good weather. However, it rained most of the night leaving the track in bad shape for eliminations to begin as scheduled. Track crews worked hard all morning long to improve the conditions of the track. Around 11:00am conditions started to look better for racing action to continue. The “ET” bikes were called to the line for

“Round Robin” eliminations to begin. After that, Opening Ceremonies would start at noon then back to racing action.

Round #1

SG, Danny is paired up with bike #74, Frank Genzal. Danny not so good at the tree on this run with a .120 over his competitors .093. Both bikes are fast but Danny takes the lead by ½ track. Fearing the inevitable Danny lets off the throttle so as not to break out of the index allowing his competitor to pass by right at the finish line. Danny looses the round with a 9.756 to a quicker 9.738 (If this pass sounds familiar your right, Danny looses to the same bike during Semi Final round in Virginia) Danny looses this pass by only .04 hundreds of a second.

SS, Danny’s paired up with bike #47 Wendell Overcash. Both bikes go green with nearly the same reaction times. Danny crosses the strip at 10.140 seconds at 118.98 miles per hour that should have cost him the race. Bike #47 was way to quick as he crossed the strip at 9.823 at 106.66. Danny gets the win light but that’s not the way to win races in the 10.30 index class.

SEP, Danny is up against bike # 140, Curtis Talbott. Danny’s a bit late at the tree with a .103 reaction time to Curtis .067. Both bikes are side by side all the way down the track for Danny to loose by the smallest of margins during the entire event as stated by the trackside announcer (.001 seconds). Imagine loosing a race by one thousands of a second?

Destroyer, Danny’s up against bike #24, Bob Pettit. Both riders have near identical reaction times as they leave the line. Danny is quicker at the 60-footer but Bob is picking up speed. By half-track both bikes have the exact same time posted at 5.939 seconds but Danny’s speed was 4 mph less than Bob’s. This proved to be our downfall as Bob wins the round by another very close race. Danny looses the third race of the event by less than .04 hundredths of a second. Very close racing action throughout the event.

Round #2

SS, Danny is up against bike #78, Sergio Zenobi. Danny wins this round by reaction time. Danny cut a .066 light while his competitor went .454 at the tree. Danny crossed the strip at 10.550 vs. his competitors 10.536 to take this win.

Round #3 (Quarter Finals)

SS, Danny lines up beside bike #275, Dean Druschel, only this time his competitor is quicker at the start and gets out in front. Danny makes up the difference but is way to fast for the 10.30 index class loosing the round with a 10.190 second pass to Deans 10.262. Dean goes on to win the event as well as clinching the National Championship for the Super Sport class.

Congratulations Dean!

Additional News
During the “Riders Meeting” Danny was acknowledged for his record-breaking performance at the Virginia Motorsports Park. Danny received a certificate signed by the AHDRA president, Craig Thorpe and Bill McGrew the Head Tech Official. Pictures were taken and copies of the certificate will be distributed to all of our sponsors for supporting our team.

Looking Back
As I’m writing this final article of “Racing News” for the 2008 season I think back at how far this team has come in only 3 years of competition with the AHDRA drag racing series. Our teams accomplishments over this year included: 1) Qualifying all bikes in all classes during each of the 6 events, 2) Recording two wins on the turbo bike, one at Dallas and the other

at Woodburn, 3) Taking the “West Coast” championship in not one but two of the four classes we compete in (Destroyer and Super Sport), 4) Acquired enough points to managed a top 10 National rating in the Destroyer class (9th in the Nation), and 5) set a new Nation Speed Record for the 1/8 mile on the Destroyer at 121.50 miles per hour. Both Danny and JR have worked

very hard this year to achieve these results. I personally can’t wait to see what they accomplish next year.

Special Thanks!
To Doug and Rebecca DeWitt (Marla’s brother and sister-in-law) for traveling to this final event to watch our team compete. Thanks so much to all of our sponsors, Durango Harley Davidson, Border State Electric of Farmington, JOY

Mining Machinery, Pillar Innovations and Planet Beach of Rio Rancho for the financial support that allows us to travel to these events. Thank you NOS energy drink for believing in this team to represent such a fine energy

drink.

What’s in store for Next Season?  PRO GAS! Please stay tuned while the team builds the very first 8-second, 150+ mile per hour AHDRA “V-Rod” DRAGBIKE.