Mon, 20 Dec 2010, 09:00 AM Bahrain 1's Hernandez Leads the Team with PX Finals Appearance in ARDL Round 3

Courtesy of Matthew Brammer, Active Marketing

DOHA, Qatar -- Joshua Hernandez led Bahrain 1's performance with a runner-up finish in the Pro Extreme Finals of Round 3 of the Arabian Drag Racing League's Championship Series, contested at Qatar Racing Club in Doha. Teammates Rickey Smith (PX) and Kahlid Mohammed (Pro Nitrous) both exited first round, while Ali Aryan (PX) was sidelined for the event pending arrival of parts for a new car. Mr. Aryan is scheduled to race in Round 4.

Hernandez and his '57 Chevy finished qualifying in the top spot with a 3.653-second eighth-mile time at 206.76 mph and was paired first round with No. 8 qualifying Von Smith. Hernandez drove straight down the lane and beat Smith, 3.694 to 4.317. B1's Rickey Smith fell in the same round to JR Todd, 3.719 to Todd's 3.669, while Pro Nitrous driver Kahlid Mohammed left the starting line too early and fell to Shannon Jenkins.

Round two pitted Hernandez against Todd Tutterow, with Hernandez again taking the stripe, 3.694 at 205.98 mph to 3.734 at 207.05 mph, and setting up a battle of the Texans for the for the finals, Hernandez vs. Frankie Taylor. Hernandez beat Taylor the only other time the two raced each other this season.

At the line, Hernandez delivered a near-perfect .004 reaction time to Taylor's .058-second reaction, but even with five-hundredth's in the bank, Hernandez couldn't hold back the hard-charging Taylor, dropping the race at the stripe 3.712 at 205.60 to Taylor's quicker 3.634 at a blistering 210.41 mph.

"It was a disappointing loss in the finals to Frankie even though I had a .004 light to his .050-something," Hernandez said.

"Overall, though, we ran very consistently, two 3.69's and a 3.71, which is good. We really wanted to bring Sheikh Abdullah another trophy to top off the Bahrain National Day celebrations, but this time it wasn't meant to be.

"I really have to thank everyone at B1 Racing for their incredible efforts to give this hot rod a fighting chance against the best in the world. We are all looking forward to Round 4 of the ADRL in a few weeks right back here in Doha," Hernandez said.

The entire Bahrain 1 Race Team will return to the drag strip January 6-7, 2011 for Round 4 of the eight-race season. The Arabian Drag Racing League Championship Series features eight events in 2010-11 with drivers and riders in 11 classes fighting for the ADRL's championship.