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MCBRIDE WINS SEASON OPENER

World record holder and nine-time Top Fuel Motorcycle champion Larry "Spiderman" McBride began his 31st season of racing with a victory at the AMA Dragbike Bikeweek Nationals from Valdosta, Ga., March 7-8.

"When I first started I never dreamed I would have been doing this 31 years," said McBride, who aims to win an unprecedented tenth championship. "To go out there and still be able to win is a great feeling. I love to race."

It was a busy off season for McBride Racing. The team began building a new motorcycle which features a longer wheelbase of 104-inches, four inches longer than McBride's current ride. McBride hopes to debut the state-of-the-art machine in July.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY AT DRAGBIKE.COM

The APE equipped Ninja 250 of Don Smith became the fastest gasoline powered 250 four stroke motorcycle in the world with a record 111.30 mph at the Maxton mile. Clalss record is in MPS/G-250-4 class.

Watch for a feature story on this little racer.

APE Equipped Ack Attack Sets New Record


360.913 MPH!

On September 26, 2008, after five days of pushing their streamliner motorcycle to new limits on the salt flats of Bonneville, the Top 1 Ack Attack team achieved what it came to do - topple the existing absolute FIM motorcycle land speed record with a blistering 360.913 mph run. At 8:58 MST, team owner Mike Akatiff, driver Rocky Robinson and crew shattered the existing 350.884mph record set by Denis Manning and Chris Carr in 2006. The new record was witnessed by an FIM official onsite, but is still subject to FIM ratification. The historic record was set during the first annual TOP 1 Oil World Land Speed Shootout taking place this week at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Bonneville, Utah. - http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=7126



PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOP 1 OIL - http://www.toponeoil.com/new-land-speed-record-sept-26-2008.html



APE Sponsors REAL STREET

CLICK HERE

AMA/Prostar Changes Name to AMA Dragbike

AMA/Prostar Changes Name to AMA Dragbike
Effectively immediately, AMA/Prostar has changed its name to AMA Dragbike. AMA Dragbike is the drag racing division of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the largest all-motorcycle drag racing sanctioning body in the world. The name change is the first for the association since it grew out of the IHRA motorcycle division in 1990.

"This has to do with awareness within the motorcycle community and outside the motorcycle community," said AMA Dragbike President Scott Valetti. "Within the drag racing community Prostar is a well-known and well-respected name. However there are motorcycle enthusiasts and companies outside the sport that have no idea what Prostar does and the name doesn't give them a clue. AMA Dragbike is more descriptive and is the highest level of competition for motorcycle drag racers and we want people know what AMA Dragbike does."

Accompanying the name change is a new logo and web site. The logo has been designed to represent both wheelie-bar and no-bar racers and merges the traditional Prostar logo with the logos for AMA's other racing division including Superbike and Motocross. The new look is intended to give AMA Dragbike a more professional presence in the motorsports community and within the AMA itself.

The new web site will be more informative and intuitive.

AMA Dragbike will continue to be lead under the management of Hammer Motorsports owned by Scott McKinney, Scott Valetti and Brandi Neithamer. The new name leads a list of enhancements scheduled for the association in 2008 as it strives to better serve its members, sponsors and fans.
Click Here to download the new logo for your website or contact Brandi with help for specific logo needs. www.amadragbike.com

AMA Dragbike is based Cincinnati, Ohio and is the Drag Racing division of the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association). AMA Dragbike has evolved of the past 17 years to become the largest motorcycle drag racing sanction in the world. The organization holds records and hosts riders for the fastest (243 mph) and quickest (5.86sec) motorcycles on asphalt. The 2007, eight-race tour will bring thousands of bikes in ten different classes down the finest race tracks in the world all to compete for prizes totaling over $1,400,000 in cash and contingency.

11/8/07

AMA/Prostar U.S. Drag Racing Championship series
Mickey Thompson Pro Street Motorcycles

Slowe Locks Up Second Pro Street Championship

Already maintaining a comfortable points lead, Mike Slowe's Mickey Thompson Pro Street championship campaign got a big boost in round 1 of eliminations of the AMA/Prostar Orient Express U.S. Motorcycle Nationals at Atco Raceway when points rival Kent Stotz went down hard on a holeshot. "After that there was no pressure," said Slowe. "The championship was already locked up."
 
It is Slowe's second straight AMA/Prostar Pro Street championship, and along with his three MiRock 60-inch championships and Pinks TV win makes him the currently most successful no-bar motorcycle drag racer on the planet.
 
After winning the Prostar opener at Valdosta in March, Slowe runner-upped in Atlanta and Indianapolis, and won Memphis and Columbus before racing at his home track at Atco, New Jersey. All the Pro Street competitors at Atco had a difficult and disappointing track surface to deal with in perfect air. "I went testing Thursday, rolled off the trailer and went 7.332 and put the bike away," said Slowe. "But on Saturday, I almost blew it up 'cause it was on the rev limiter so hard. The fuelers and Super Street bikes didn't seem to have near as much trouble as the Pro Street bikes, so I couldn't get it through my head how bad the track really was. The first part of the track was real good. It was when you hit third gear that it started spinning. It took me 'til Sunday morning to make the decision to shorten the bike to 65 1/2 inches, same as the slicker tracks like Columbus and Memphis." By this time, Slowe was uncharacteristically fifth in the qualifying order.
 
With Stotz out, Slowe rode the bike with a comical flair in round two of eliminations. "Basically, the bike left real hard and I wasn't ready for it," reported Mike, who spent half the run with his right leg stuck straight out like bullfrog. "It started pulling the bike to the left and I couldn't get my right leg up on the peg. It threw me off guard." Ron Hughes had redlit in the other lane, so Slowe didn't need to be in any big hurry anyway.
 
"The semis against Mr. Locklear was the most important round for me," continued Mike, referring to legendary North Carolina racer Johnny "Airtime" Locklear. "I was worried about cutting a light on him. I did that, but as soon as I let the clutch out it blew the tire off. I just sat up because I thought I was done. Then I looked up and he was within reach. I guess he had some tire issues too, so after that it was a real pedalfest. It's always good to beat a guy like that. It was good seeing him out there."
 


In the final, Slowe beat Lil' Curtis McDougald, racing in only his second Pro Street event. "Curtis is still new to the class and going through some growing pains with a brand new bike," said Mike. "I figured I just had to do my job. My bike just did what it usually does and it was nice and easy. I did what I told everybody I was gonna do-kick everybody's ass!"
 
With title in hand, Slowe heads to the AMA/Prostar World Finals at Gainesville Raceway November 9-11 in Gainesville, Florida. With nothing to lose and the last chance for record runs in 2007, you can bet Mike will have his Velocity turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa set on kill. "It turned into another tuners battle at Atco," noted Slowe. "Hopefully, Gainesville won't be that way."
 
In addition to his entire family and girlfriend Nicole, Slowe thanked American Suzuki http://www.suzukicycles.com, Velocity Racing http://www.velocityracing.com, Ward Performance http://www.wardperformance.com, Falicon http://www.faliconcranks.com, Vanson Leathers http://www.vansonleathers.com, APE http://www.aperaceparts.com, J.E. Pistons http://www.jepistons.com, Catalyst Racing Composites http://www.catalystracingcomposites.com, Hyperpro http://www.hyperproUSA.com, The Cycle Shop, Web Cam http://www.webcamshafts.com, Mickey Thompson http://www.mickeythompsontires.com, PR Factory Store http://www.prfactorystore.com, RPM Performance http://www.rpmcycleperformance.com, and World Wide Bearings http://www.worldwidebearings.com.
 
note to editors and webmasters: These photos are for editorial use only. For high-res images for print or for commercial use, contact Tim Hailey at timhailey@earthlink.net
 
this team report was prepared by Tim Hailey http://www.eatmyink.com


Mike Slowe team report
AMA/Prostar Pro Street motorcycle drag racing
 
Slowe on a Roll into Atco

AMA/Prostar Pro Street racer Mike Slowe heads into his home race at Atco Raceway (Atco, New Jersey, September 29-30) after laying down some sizzling performances recently in Milan, Michigan. Slowe took his Velocity Racing Suzuki Hayabusa to Race Warz III at Milan Dragway and dominated the Mickey Thompson X-Treme Pro Street Bike class.
 
"We tested at Atco just before we went over to Milan," said Slowe, the defending Pro Street champ, three-time MiRock 60-Inch champ, and Pinks winner. "We ran between 7.28 and 7.30 and went 206 mph, so I knew we were in pretty good shape for the $2000 race at Milan."
 
And Slowe was good right off the trailer, running 7.41 at 204 mph in test and tune. "The track was really, really good," said Slowe. "Probably the best track I've ran on since the Prostar opener at Valdosta. Two passes later we ran 7.28 at a high 204."
 
Slowe's blue 'Busa was set on kill and ready for Milan's one day qualifications and eliminations format. Through three qualifying
rounds, Slowe claimed the number one spot with a 7.24 at 204.57 mph. "After that, my bike was pretty much a bracket bike in eliminations," said Slowe, who had the first round bye and took round 2 when Josh Bricker redlit. Mikey then made his slowest pass of the weekend in the semis against Ron Hughes. "My bike spun in second gear, then stood straight up on the back end and still went 7.39 at 199," said Slowe, who none-the-less took the round. "My guys said it was at 10 o'clock!"
 
That win set up the final between Slowe and Milan-race-winning regular Phil Stoll. Phil, on Ronnie Mitchell's bike, recently won the Prostar race at Indy and is often Slowe's most competitive rival. Despite a poor light, Mike was able to pull out the win. "Phil told me he went for it at the tree," said Slowe. "The way he said he rides his bike, if he gets too aggressive with it at the tree, it blows the tire off. I told him he didn't have to go after the tree against me, with my lights!"
 
Race Warz III Mickey Thompson X-Treme Pro Street Bike final
(W)  Mike Slowe      .120     7.30 at 200.01 mph
        Phil Stoll          .040     7.99 at 194.17 mph


"My bike's been pretty much struggling all year," said Slowe, who none-the-less has three Prostar wins in '07 and leads Pro Street by 66 points over Kent Stotz. "But Carl Stieffenhofer at The Cycle Shop put a fresh motor in my bike before we tested at Atco, and I don't think the bike's been below 199 mph since. The combination of Carl's work and the Rick Ward head is really doing the job. I'd like to give Rick and Carl big props, because they definitely found some horsepower there. It's easy to control that horsepower with the Magneti-Marelli ECU, and the new Velocity swingarm keeps the bike going straight every time.
 
"I expect some really big numbers at Atco, hopefully a teen. That's what I'm shooting for. Of course we want to win the race, and stay ahead of Kent. But I'm really gonna try and lay a teen down in qualifying."
 
Slowe thanked American Suzuki http://www.suzukicycles.com, Velocity Racing http://www.velocityracing.com, Ward Performance http://www.wardperformance.com, Falicon http://www.faliconcranks.com, Vanson Leathers http://www.vansonleathers.com, APE http://www.aperaceparts.com, J.E. Pistons http://www.jepistons.com, Catalyst Racing Composites http://www.catalystracingcomposites.com, Hyperpro http://www.hyperproUSA.com, The Cycle Shop, Web Cam http://www.webcamshafts.com, Mickey Thompson http://www.mickeythompsontires.com, PR Factory Store http://www.prfactorystore.com, RPM Performance http://www.rpmcycleperformance.com, and World Wide Bearings http://www.worldwidebearings.com.
 
note to editors and webmasters: These photos are for editorial use only. For high-res images for print or for commercial use, contact Tim Hailey at timhailey@earthlink.net
 
this team report was prepared by Tim Hailey http://www.eatmyink.com

Fast Times will take a new and exciting turn in 2007 as AMA Prostar champ Chip Hunter takes you behind the scenes of his quest to win the 2007 championship in the hugely popular Super Street class aboard his APE-equipped Kawasaki ZX14.

FAST TIMES

AMA Brings Drag Racing In-House, Bruce Sauer Hired as Drag Race Manager.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and AMA/Prostar are pleased to announce the restructuring of AMA/Prostar Drag Racing.  Beginning with the 2007 season AMA/Prostar will come in-house as part of the AMA's restructuring of its racing operations.

Bruce Sauer, 8-time AMA/Prostar National Champion has been named as Drag Race Manager for the AMA and will work with newly appointed Road Race Series Director, Keith Kizer out of the AMA's headquarters in Pickerington, OH.

According to Kizer, Sauer brings a wealth of drag racing experience to the AMA not only as a rider, but also as an AMA/Prostar tech inspector and racing coordinator for local events at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, OH. 

"I am personally thrilled to have Bruce at the forefront of this groundbreaking change for the sport of motorcycle drag racing," said Kizer.  

Sauer's racing accomplishments include the AMA/Prostar 1999 Sportsman Rider of the Year, 9-time winner of the Mechanic of the Year award, and 52 national event wins.  As a mechanic he currently has 14 championships to his credit. "I'm excited to be involved in these changes because I care about Prostar and want to see it succeed," commented Sauer.

All current Prostar staff will continue as AMA officials at all AMA/Prostar events.  Kizer noted that racers and spectators should notice little difference in how everything looks and works at AMA/Prostar events other than a bigger and better program.

The 2007 structure will separate AMA and Prostar in their respective duties preceding each event.  Prostar offices will be relocated to New Jersey and operated by a staff lead by Prostar stockholder, Jack Musilli.  Prostar will oversee membership services, advertising and spectator promotions.  AMA, under the direction of Sauer, will oversee sponsorship programs including contingencies and series sponsorships.  AMA, similar to other disciplines, will also oversee all technical rules, event staffing, and logistics.  This new separation of duties will ensure a more productive system and a significant increase in staffing between events.

Prostar offices in Huntsville, Alabama will remain open until the end of December at which time all services will be split between the New Jersey office and the AMA office in Columbus, Ohio.  Additional information and contact information for Prostar and Bruce Sauer will be distributed shortly.

AMA/Prostar is based in Huntsville, Alabama and is the Drag Racing division of the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association). Founded in 1924, the AMA has an unparalleled history of pursuing, protecting and promoting the interests of the world's largest and most dedicated group of motorcycle enthusiasts. The AMA is also the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body. AMA/Prostar has evolved over 15 years to become the largest motorcycle drag racing sanction in the world. The organization holds records and hosts riders for the fastest (243 mph) and quickest (5.86sec) motorcycles on asphalt. The 2007, seven-race tour will bring thousands of bikes in fifteen different classes down the finest race tracks in the world. All to compete for cash and contingency prizes totaling over $1,400,000 in cash and contingency.

www.amaprostar.com

Story from dragbike.com


Photos: Matt Polito http://www.dragbikephotos.com
Report: Tim Hailey http://www.eatmyink.com

Velocity Racing/American Suzuki Team Report

event: NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals
dates: September 30 to October 1, 2006
location: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, New Jersey
 
Barry Henson Wins a Wally

American Suzuki sponsored rider Barry Henson stepped up to the plate and knocked one out of Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for his sponsors, winning the Pro Street Bike class (also sponsored by American Suzuki) at the NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals at the famed track in Englishtown, New Jersey. It was a clean sweep for Henson's Velocity Racing teams, as the top three qualified bikes were all Velocity sponsored, turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusas.

It was the first time that Henson has raced one of the 550 horsepower Pro Street bikes since an off-season leg operation kept him sidelined as a rider for much of this year. "I had a couple passes at Milan, Michigan before showing up, but I haven't ridden since the AMA/Prostar World Finals last year," said Henson. "I was a little rusty."

Not that anyone would have noticed. Henson was never less than third through three rounds of qualifying, finishing second with a 7.376 at 198.96 mph.


Velocity sponsored rider Mike Slowe led qualifying early aboard Anthony Navarro's bike-built to MiRock's Pro Sportbike rules. Navarro stretched the 'Busa's wheelbase out to 66 inches-the limit of his swingarm but 2 inches shorter than the Pro Street limit of 68. Despite the disadvantage, Slowe ran all three qualifying passes at over 200 mph, qualifying second with a 7.377 at 201.13 mph.
 
Fresh off of a win at Milan's Street Wars race, it was Phil Stoll on Ronnie Mitchell's Velocity sponsored "Casper" that took the top qualifying spot with a 7.353 at 197.10 mph. Dragging the clutch a little too long, Phil slowed to a 7.585 in round 1 of eliminations but still vanquished Glenn Stickels. Slowe beat Tim O'Neil with another 200 mph lap and Henson joined the weekend's 7.30 club with a 7.308 to sideline Sam Boles.

Barry lowered the ET standard to 7.277 in the semis-the quickest Pro Street pass since the bikes were raised to 3 inch ground clearance two years ago. That was enough to beat Slowe, despite Mikey's 202 mph blast. Kent Stotz redlit and slowed against Stoll, setting up what would be the fastest ever side-by-side Pro Street final.



Top to bottom: Phil Stoll, Mike Slowe
 Stoll buried Henson at the tree with an .011, but lost that advantage with a marginal 60-foot time. Henson made up for lost ground and took the win by 4 feet with a 7.308 at 199.05 to Stoll's 7.436 at 200.65.
 
Henson's won two AMA/Prostar championships and scored many race wins, but this was his first at an NHRA national event, and thus his first "Wally". It was a spectacular showing by the Velocity team, one that left the car racing crowd buzzing after each pass by the amazing bikes. "After the finals of Pro RWD, which is their marquee class, they held us up to check the track," said Barry. "I thought 'Oh no, now everybody's gonna leave the stands.' But nobody left.
 
"A lot of good, spectacular things happened this weekend. We were able to qualify the top three positions and that's pretty outstanding for our team. We were the only three bikes in the .30's, and we set numerous bests. We ran the quickest side-by-side pass, fastest side-by-side pass, it was the quickest field ever, and we ran the quickest pass since the 3 inch ground clearance rule.
 
"It was just one of the best weekends we've had racing together. We had so much fun and the hospitality of the track was awesome. We really want to thank Javier Ortega of the NHRA Sport Compact series, Eddie Krawiec at Englishtown, Morgan Broadhead at American Suzuki, and Matt Polito of Dragbike.com for the efforts they put into this event."
 
The next event for the Velocity/Suzuki team is the AMA/Prostar National Finals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, November 3-5, 2006
 
Henson thanked his sponsors American Suzuki, Velocity Racing, Ward Performance, Falicon, Vanson Leathers, APE, J.E. Pistons, Marvic, Catalyst Racing Composites, Motul, Hyperpro, Millennium Technologies, KWS Motorsports, Micron, Brock's Performance Products and World Wide Bearings.

Johnson Singing The Blues In Memphis After First Round Loss
Monday, August 21, 2006

MEMPHIS, TN 8/20/06 Last weekend's Lucas Oil Nationals in Minnesota included one happy man in the form of Steve Johnson. His first final round appearance of the 2006 season had the Birmingham, Alabama rider figuratively singing an upbeat tune. Now, after a tough first round loss in the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals, Johnson is singing the blues, for which Memphis is famous.

"I might be feeling a little down," admitted the popular Snap-on Tools Suzuki handler, "but by tomorrow morning I'll be all smiles again. The U.S. Nationals are just two weeks away, and we're the defending champions.

Read the rest here at Dragbike.com

Photo By Matt Polito, www.dragbikephotos.com


Greg Guarinello Passes

Veteran motorcycle drag racing photojournalist Greg Guarinello passed away suddenly in his Bergenfield, NJ home Friday, May 26. Guarinello, 53, dedicated his professional life to documenting and promoting motorcycle drag racing and his passion came through in all his work.

Guarinello's career spanned over 4 decades and he was instrumental in promoting the sport in its early years. His work appeared in practically every major drag racing and motorcycle magazine.
Most recently Guarinello served as editor of www.vtwinplus.com, an internet magazine dedicated to V-Twin custom and drag bikes. His is survived by his wife Pat.
Funeral arrangements are pending. More information will follow.

(Story from Dragbike.com)

Steve Johnson signs 3-year deal with Snap-on Tools

U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Steve Johnson announced Monday the signing of a major, three-year sponsorship agreement with Snap-on Tools. Johnson, who is also the defending champion of the upcoming 37th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, hopes his new deal with longtime sponsor Snap-on will help transform his team into a serious contender for the 2006 NHRA POWERade Championship.

"This is a dream come true," Johnson told Irondale mayor Tommy Joe Alexander, Jefferson County commissioner Bettye Fine Collins, and other VIPs assembled at his new Alabama shop facility for the press conference confirming the multi-year deal. "I've been racing with Snap-on Tools support for 14 years but this takes our relationship to a new level.


Read the rest at Dragbike.com