Alot Of Updates!

Wow! Time flies!

   A lot has been going down since I last made a post. I’ve been pretty busy here lately.

   Let’s start with the 27th of May. Fraggle, Frank, Drew and myself all hit the road heading to Richmond for some lunch. We had a killer ride up route 5. Stopped in at Sticky Rice and then proceeded to hit the road. We did some cruising around Richmond trying to find a road that runs down by the river. Well that was a mission unsuccessful. We did however end up back behind some kind of industrial plant on a gravel road. We stopped under a bridge to chill for a minute and up rolls the 5-0. We weren’t sure what he was doing back there either, but he just cruised on by and let us be. After that awkward little encounter we decided to pack it up and head on home. We rolled route 60 the whole back. It might not be quite as scenic as route 5 but it sure is fast!

   Now let’s hop right up to my birthday, June 2nd. Saturday was awesome! It was the day of The Lost Highways Chop Meet. For those of you not aware, I am a member of The Lost Highways. Check us out at www.thelosthighways.com. It was a killer day. The Lowside Magazine crew made it out, as well as Hooked MC, The Peanut City Geeks and a bunch more cool people. We hung around talking, checking out bike, the usual stuff. After the event a group of us hit the road for a 100 mile loop. We left Gloucester, VA and wound up at an ice cream stand in Kilmarnock, VA. It was an awesome time with old friends and new! Hope to see you there next year!

   Ok now we’re a little caught up. This past weekend we were out at Slades Park again so I could race the Buell! First round went pretty easy as I got the bye. It was defiantly needed to. My practice run went a little rough. Before the race Sunday, Junior and I switched out the rear sprocket for one with less teeth. We were hoping that by pulling teeth out the rear we could pull the motor down enough to get the bike to shift a little bit better. My practice pass I lined up and brought it to about 5000rpm and threw the clutch away. The bike shot to the right aiming for the fence. After getting it under control the bike was way down in the rpms. In my bye run I tried to launch with the motor about 4500rpm, only to get about same result though. The bike left well, but fell on its face. We rushed to get the old sprocket back on in between rounds so we could get a solid pass. Round two, with the old sprocket in place I lined the bike up ready to go. The bike came out of the hole a little right again but I was able to muscle into a lane and made a pretty good pass. I had the better reaction time but the time lost going right hurt me at the end of the track. Round three I lined up against one of the pros, 8 Ball. He’s riding a purpose built Iron Head 103 cui beast. He is one of the guys that schooled me at the last event. This time I was ready for him. We staged, I had the hole shot. That Buell was really screaming, but 8 Ball isn’t a local pro for nothing. That old Iron Head dug in and showed me how it’s done. He might have beat me, but I sure didn’t give it away.

   After that final round I was sitting at the end of track because I forgot my tools to remove the air shifter arm so I can put the bike in first. One of the older guys at the track had his golf cart and he agreed to give me a tow back to my pit. On our way back to the pits I hear the tower official ranting about security. Apparently the owner of my bike had shot some dirt on the guy he was racing after the race had finished. Something the guy who got the treatment is known for. Well just so happens that dude can dish it out but he can’t take. While I was getting towed in, that guy went to our pit area and threw a helmet at Juniors head. This is probably the worst example of sportsmanship I’ve ever seen. Long story short, you don’t do that. The guy got caught, and some of the guys taught him a lesson in playing nice.

   I want to make a quick congrats to Frank Capone and Shaun Reno! Frank took number 1 in Ohio with Reno right on his heels. Reno cut a .008 light in finals! That's a killer reaction time when you got that kind of pressure. Way to go to both of you guys! By the check the picture, you can see the FKRS sticker on Renos bike just behind the exhaust.

   Now into the future. Ooooooo TWIGHLIGHT ZONE!!! Next week is Smoke Out 13!!! Come on out and join the party! It’s going to be in Rockingham, NC as always. It’s going to be an awesome time. Hope to see you there!

Links!!!

Me Riding The Buell

Hooked MC

Peanut City Geeks

Lowside Magazine

It Sure Is Fun Playing In The Dirt

   Wow what a day! My buddy Junior, from Hampton Roads Harley, has been telling me for some time now he'd get me out on the dirt drags running his Buell. Well that came true today. We set out early this morning heading to Surry Virginia, home of Slade's Park.
   We met at Juniors and chowed down on some good ole Bo Jangles then we got straight to work. This little Buell has some serious character folks. For starters the motor is just some kind of crazy, we're not going to get into details ha ha. The swing arm has been stretched 6 inches and converted to a rigid, all done by Junior himself. We had to make a sprocket change and mount up the paddle tire and then we were on the road!
   When we arrived at Slade's there wasn't much time for screwing around. We off loaded the bike and I suited up for my one and only practice pass. Now just a little background, I've never raced in the dirt before. I get out to the line and stage. Bringing the bike to about 3500 rpms i throw the clutch out and off i go. Left, right, left again, this thing is a handful! Well to make a long story short my first pass was a little nerve racking, enough to where as I waited for junior to come get me at the end of the track my knees were shaking.
   With the first pass out of the way I realized there wasn't much to it. Yes it got to me some but at the end of the day it's still a motorcycle and I'm still the rider. The call for first round was made. This time I get to the line I have to go big or go home, because the Triumph in the lane next to me was a long time veteran. We stage, the lights fall and I'm off again! Floating the front tire and keeping it as straight as possible I cross the line for the win. What a rush! There's nothing like tearing down a dirt track on a Harley, it's just insane!
   Into the second and third rounds we ran into some technical issues. Second round we tried launching from second gear, which proved to be great until about 30 feet into the run. I caught some good traction and the motor just fell on its face. Third round I was ready to show these guys i came to do business. Again I staged up against an old pro. I killed the launch taking the hole shot! I was running it hard but when it came time to shift I kept hitting the button, but it was a no go.
   I may not have won this event but I secured a spot in that Buell's seat for the rest of the summer.

   I would like to make some special thank yous. First I want to thank Junior for the awesome experience. It's not often someone says, "Here take my bike and run the piss out of it!" Second I would like to thank Slade's Park for continuing to offer this great chance to have some fun. I would also like to thank Greg Mobley and all the great folks at Beach Ford for the amazing deal they got me on my new 2012 F-150. If it wasn't for them there's no way today would have happened! I saved the most important for last. I want to thank my wonderful girlfriend for being so understanding of the racing thing. She's a keeper!

Thanks to everyone!

See you at the track!!!

Its Been Too Quiet...

   Well its been a few days since I last made a post, so I figured I would check in. Its been pretty busy around here lately. My wonderful girlfriend of several years finally graduated from VCU, so a big congratulations to her. Me and some of the guys cruised up good ole route 5 to Richmond this past Saturday to see her walk and party.
   Today another wonderful semester of school started today, not really that exciting. I don't think I've mentioned it but I'm a designer and I am currently enrolled at TCC for my engineering degree. O well enough crap about my life let's talk a minute about racing.
   AHDRA will be in New Jersey this weekend! We all know Rockingham was a blast and I'm certain Jersey won't disappoint. As always The All Harley Drag Racing Association will be filled with fast bikes and good times! Cruise on up there and check it out. Unfortunately I wont make it to Jersey this weekend so I apologize in advance for no up close and personal pictures. Rest assured though I will definitely have some race coverage throughout the weekend.
   I would just like to say congrats one more time to my girl April, I love you lots and make me proud!
   By the way, I attached a picture of the bike in travel to the race track mode. Enjoy and have a awesome weekend!

I Guess Going This Fast It's Hard To Slow Down

   Wow, what a crazy day! The photographer who shot the picture of me found in my banner on the home page has asked me to help design his web page and do some reconstruction. It's been a little while since I've done any web design but I'm definitely excited to get in there and make it happen.
   That's only one half of the story. Upon leaving work yesterday I received a phone call from my buddy Reno. He was pretty stoked with the write up I did about myself here on the blog and he was interested in getting one together for himself and HeadBlade.
   What an opportunity, creating and running a blog for a pro racer. Needless to say I can't wait to see what kind of developments come of this.

Check out the blog for Shaun Reno here.

Time To Unwind And Relax

   This weekend sure put alot of stress on my body. Riding to the track, racing in the 90-100 degree heat, and then standing in the burn out box choking down nitromethane. Ahhhh the joys of racing.
   After my departure from the track Sunday instead if heading home I cruised on into to Richmond to be with my girl for the night. Monday rolled around to soon. We had an amazing breakfast at 821 Cafe and took the cats to get fixed. So now I'm just trying to cruise through the week and do as little as possible.
   Stay tuned because I can't lay around forever.
   Check out the little beasts and also I hope you noticed my new banner!

AHDRA Rockingham Saturday And Sunday

   Well the ride down went smooth and friday night I crashed in a Pro Fuel trailer that is owned by Mr. Sower. Saturday morning came quick and qualifying was right around the corner. After some breakfast with Ziggy, Top Fuel racer, and the guys it was time for my first pass.
   It was hot and humid as hell. The air was terrible and there wasn't one bike that wasn't affected by the climate. My first pass in qualifying went ok, I missed second gear but cut a .05 light and salvages a 13.45s run. The second pass went better with no missed gears but I red lighted and didn't really learn much from the run. My last pass of the day I got everything together, cutting a .021 light I hit every gear and ran a 13.22.
   Even though my times weren't great I qualified ninth out of 39 bikes thanks to the .021 reaction time. After my last pass I went into the pits to relax for a while and talk with the guys from Capone Racing.
   After some well deserved rest Saturday night in someone eldest hotel room I was ready to do some racing. Sunday morning was absolutely gorgeous, it was slightly overcast and the temperature only in the sixties. Today was going to a fast day.
   Opening ceremonies were held and then it was right into the Top Fuel Nitro Harleys. The air was great and some of the fastest passes of the weekend were made those first few minutes of racing.
   The E/T class was finally called and I was out on the line. My first race I dialed in at a 13.45. I wasn't sure what to do because I hadn't really learned anything from Saturdays runs. I was lucky and my opponent red lighted which opened the opportunity to see what I could do. I ran it as hard as I could and crossed the line at 13.05 running 100mph.
   The next race luck was on my side yet again. My opponent red lighted giving me another chance to run it hard. I set a new personal record at 12.87. I now had two rounds under my belt and was ready to send some more racers packing.
   After a good break and talking with the guys round three was about to start. I made my way to the staging lane and started to get focused. I found my opponent and we were off to the burnout box. After getting the tire warm we were pre staged. I brought the bike to 4500rpm and staged. The lights came down and off I went. It was my worst reaction time of the weekend, a shameful .221, but I was still in it because my opponents reaction wasn't much better. The time flew by, as I neared the finish line I checked behind me and saw I was being chased down. We crossed the line with him just a hair in front. When I got my time slip I was shocked to see I was beat by only 9 hundredths of a second.
   I may not have made it to victory lane this weekend but I did set a new record and learned an awful lot about the higher end Harley drag bikes.
   I would like to thank Reno, Kim, Ricky, Clarence, Ziggy, Junior, Pop, Nate, Gardner, the boys from Tennessee, all the great people at Capone Racing, and anyone I may have forgotten for a great weekend and the much appreciated support!

Day One: Carolina Spring Nitro Nationals

   Well my 300 plus mile ride from Hampton Va to Rockingham Nc went smooth for the most part. I had to make some minor adjustments along the way but nothing to serious.

   I got her in time to see some of the test and tune action. Just to make it quick, the smell of Nitro is heavy in the air. Besides the Nitro powered bikes there are numerous other very impressive bikes. The competition should prove to be fierce in every division this weekend. I have to admit there are alot of fast harleys out here.

   I've had the chance to make it around the pits and take some pictures. Enjoy.

See you tomorrow!

Sorry about the photos... They keep going in side ways i'll have to fix it later.

AHDRA Heads To North Carolina This Weekend

   Well I'm working on getting some interviews together to publish sometime in the near future, but on the other hand I'm gearing up to head down to good ole' Rockingham NC to participate in the second AHDRA event of the year. This will be my first AHDRA event so I'm not to sure what to expect. I am sure of one thing there's going to be some good competition in the Sportsman E.T. class. I'm pretty excited to head down, mainly because I'll be there with the man who built my motor, Shaun Reno. Reno used to race the Pro Stock division in AHDRA and is now on board with Capone Racing and Brancaccio Top Fuel. Reno is definitely an inspiration to me among many others. It will definitely be a special weekend to be racing with a legend in my pit.

   I'll definitely have some details up soon and some photos from the ride down. I might not have mentioned but the bike I race, i also ride it to the track. Rockingham is about 300 miles and 5 hours from my door step. I'll be riding my bike the whole way there, racing and then riding home.

See you soon!

MIROCK Spring Nationals Heating Up MIR

Unfortunately I didn't make it to Maryland International Raceway this weekend for the second MIROCK event of the year, but I will say things were definitely going good for a few select racers.

The biggest news is the new members of the 6 Second Club. Two riders in the Orient Express Pro Street division made sub 6 second passes this weekend. I'm hoping to get a word with these gentleman sometime soon so we can know just how it feels to go 6 seconds in the 1/4 mile.

Stick around, more racing news is soon to follow.

Hello World

Well this is the first post to the blog. If anyone happens to stumble upon this blog this early I will promise you it's going to get interesting. Basically to sum things up I drag race a modified streetable Harley Davidson Sportster. Ok so that's not very exciting. On the other hand I know quite a few pro level racers and I plan on bringing you closer to the action of motorcycle drag racing then ever before. I don't just like Harleys so if you think you'll be reading about v-twins every day well you're wrong. I run the MIROCK Superbike Series and AHDRA. I hope I can bring some excellent coverage from the track and show you how its done.

Just a side note the picture shown is me at Virginia Motorsports Park a few weekends ago.

Stick around this should be a fun ride.