Fri, 5 Oct 2007, 03:02 PM Nitro Harley Qualifying Notes, Session #1

By Dan Bennett

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Second annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals listing lane, rider name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

---

Left Lane: Joseph Sternotti Jr Runs 6.868/166.60, Now #2
Right Lane: Bob Malloy Runs 6.549/206.89, Now #1

2:42 p.m. We're doing a quick track groom to get ready for the first session of the Top Fuel Harley exhibition class. I'm told that these riders are the cream of the crop for the class, so we should see some exciting races. The bikes weigh 800-1000 pounds depending on the bike, and the horsepower is roughly the same as the weight range.

The track crew is finished and the riders are standing beside their respective motorcycles as the crew chiefs connect the starter cart. They hit the button, the engines fire, and the riders climb on.

The bikes leave with a surprising lack of noise. You certainly can hear then but it's not the body slam a Top Fuel car provides.

Sternotti moves toward the center line down track and finally has to lift. Malloy lays down a run without any visible problems.

---

Left Lane: Doug Vancil Runs 9.988/90.47, Now #3
Right Lane: Phil Schmidt Runs 11.870/83.67, Now #4

Vancil holds the record for the quickest pass ever - a 6.23.

Both bikes leave with the rider hanging hard off the left side. Schmidt doesn't really start to accelerate hard as the engine doesn't seem to build rpm.

Vancil's ride takes him very close to the center line before half track and he finally gives up.

---

Left Lane: Takeshi Shigematsu Runs 19.405/48.41, Now #6
Right Lane: Jay Turner Runs 6.804/192.44, Now #2

Shigematsu's engine noses over at the hit. Turner gets in a good pass and goes all the wayinto the second position.

---

Left Lane: William Furr Runs 10.088/84.71, Now #6
Right Lane: Tommy Grimes Jr. Runs 9.037/106.05, Now #4

Both motorcycles shut off before half track and coast across the finish line.

That's the final pair.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink



NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Oct 25- LAS VEGAS - Event Preview
Oct 22- NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino
Oct 22- NHRA Breakfast at 2026 SEMA Show Features Legends, Champs & A Rookie Talking Funny Car Showdown
Oct 22- DALLAS - Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Wrap Up
Oct 22- Five NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Drivers Currently Eligible for 2026 Rookie of the Year
Oct 22- Lucas Oil and NHRA Celebrate 25-Year Partnership with Multi-Year Extension
Oct 19- DALLAS - Sunday Video
Oct 18- DALLAS - Sunday Wrap Up
Oct 18- DALLAS - Summary of Eliminations in Super Stock
Oct 18- DALLAS - Summary of Eliminations in Competition Eliminator