March 26, 2003
story and photos courtesy NHRA.com
After an extensive investigation by NHRA tech officials regarding
Pro Stock Bike participant Steve Johnson's disqualification at the
34th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, NHRA's technical department
has determined the engine did not exceed the specifications for two-valve
engines (maximum 1508cc, 92 cubic inch displacement).
As a result, Johnson will be awarded the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing
Series championship points he would have earned at the event as a
qualified first round participant. Those points include two points
for qualifying 12th at the event and 20 additional points for first-round
participation. Johnson currently has 32 points, which includes 10
points earned for participating in qualifying at the event. Johnson
is tied for 10th in the chase for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
championship in Pro Stock Bike. Johnson will also receive one hundred
and five (105) points towards the K&N Filters Pro Bike Klash,
a special event held during the Mac Tools US Nationals.
"After the event, NHRA officials had some questions regarding
the engine measurements we had observed and recorded," said Cary
Menard, vice president of technical administration. "In the interest
of fairness to the team, we visited Steve's shop in Birmingham (Ala.)
last week and conducted follow-up displacement measurements on the
engine. The results of the investigation determined that the device
used at the event to measure the engine displacement registered a
false reading, despite verifying calibration of the device at the
event. As such, the engine was legal at the time Johnson was participating
and thus led NHRA to award the additional points.
"This was clearly an extraordinary occurrence. We continue to
have the utmost confidence in our technical staff and equipment and,
moving forward, are taking every step we can to eliminate this sort
of situation in the future."
Joining Menard was Jim Collins, NHRA's Division 2 technical director.
The decision by NHRA will not adversely affect any points earned by
John Smith, who was inserted into the bike lineup upon Johnson's disqualification.
February 03, 2003
FLASH
Apparantly Angelle Savoie will be driving this year. She has signed
on with Team 23 (along side her cousin Antron Brown) to be a two bike
team.
You can add that to the Bike Zone Story. This does not change our
publisher's opinion that the Bike Class will be re-classisfied. See
link below.
Crisis Comment
With the crisis in the Pro Stock Bike ranks, and believe me it
is a crisis situation when the two most prominent riders (Angelle
Savioe and Matt Hines) are not competing, there are very strong
inside rumors that the Pro Stock Bike class will become re-classified
(along the lines of Pro Stock Truck). (more)
Motorcycle Madness program to debut at The Strip at LVMS April
12; All-bike program mirrors Midnight Mayhem's "safe streets"
concept
LAS VEGAS -- Officials at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced
a new program today. Motorcycle Madness, a five-event series, will
debut April 12. The series targets illegal street racers who compete
on motorcycles on the roads of Las Vegas and Clark county. Last year,
LVMS launched Midnight Mayhem, a program designed to attract illegal
street racers to the safer confines of The Strip. The program proved
so popular that the schedule was expanded three times. Last year's
movie The Fast And The Furious called attention to the problem of
illegal street racing. The new Biker Boyz motion picture is expected
to do the same for illegal motorcycle street racing.
"The illegal street racing of sport motorcycles has increased
dramatically in recent years and, with new movies glamorizing this
activity, we expect it to become a major problem this summer,"
said Chris Blair, LVMS' director of drag racing operations.
"We hope this new program will do for motorcycles what Midnight
Mayhem did for sport compact cars by getting them off the street and
onto The Strip. Anyone can purchase a sport bike capable of speeds
in excess of 180 miles per hour can be purchased for less than $10,000.
As a result, kids who might not be able to afford a high performance
car are turning to bikes as their outlet."
Event Dates:
Saturday, April 12
Saturday, May 10
Saturday, June 14
Saturday, July 12
Saturday, September 20
Event Format:
10 p.m. -- Registration opens, tech inspection
11 p.m.-1 a.m. -- Street-legal sport bike grudge drags
1 a.m.-closing -- Open freestyle exhibition and burnouts
Entry Fees / Admission:
Race or freestyle -- $20
Spectators -- $10 (includes 5:30ˆ11 p.m. Bracket Race admission)
Rider Requirements:
Must be 18 years of age with valid driver‚s license and proof
of insurance.
Safety Gear:
Full face helmet meeting SNELL 90, 95, K98, 2000 or SFI 31.2 or 41.2
Specs. Leather jacket, leather boots/shoes (above the ankle) and leather
gloves mandatory. Bikes running 120 mph or faster are required to
wear full all-leathers or SFI Spec 40 half-suit. Two-piece suites
must be joined by zipper at the waist.
Bike Rules:
Street legal, currently registered and insured motorcycles only. All
bikes must be driven to the track.
Racing:
Grudge drags only (no formal elimination process), no dial-ins or
handicaps. .4 Pro tree.
Freestyle:
Riders will take turns with two-minute sessions on racing surface.
"Street rules" will apply: riders must demonstrate stunt-riding
ability to rider council (which will be comprised of professional
riders from Project Mayhem Stunt Team) prior to performing on The
Strip. A designated „burnout‰ area will be marked for riders
to perform.
Awards:
Trophies will be awarded to best appearing bike and fastest bike of
the night. Freestyle awards will be presented by WestCoast Filmworks.
