Sampey won three NHRA championships aboard a Bryce-tuned Star Racing motorcycle and 41 races overall in NHRA competition. Bryce enlisted her services when Matt Smith, who was originally scheduled to drive the bike, opted out due to unexpected commitments with his current employer.

It didn't take Bryce long - about one minute - before he called Sampey to see if she would be up for the task.

"When George called and asked if I could fill Matt's spot, I said, 'if it's fun, I'll go,'" she said, "and George said it was fun and laid back. He said there was no pressure involved."

But things will be different. She will be driving the Star Racing V-Twin in ADRL's Pro Extreme Motorcycle category. It is equipped with nitrous oxide to provide a power boost, plus the race track is just 660 feet long, instead of 1320. And she won't get her first run until Friday.

"I haven't been on this bike before and I haven't been on any bike since last November, so that will be nerve-racking for me, I'm sure," Sampey noted. "I always have butterflies the first time I get back on one and on this one I'm probably going to have the biggest butterflies in my stomach that I've ever had. But it will be an adrenalin rush, and that's why I do this sport, so I'm looking forward to it."

The distance isn't a problem, either. "I've done eighth-mile runs, but not in competition," she added. "We used to do a lot of testing and we just ran to the eighth-mile because by then you already had all the information and data you needed.

"I know where the finish line is going to be, it's just that once I get into the excitement of the competition, I'm going to have to remind myself that I don't have to hold the throttle all the way to the finish line. I'm sure I'll probably go a little farther past the finish line than I'm supposed to, but it won't be on purpose."

Bryce, meanwhile, has a one-race ADRL head start over Sampey. Smith drove the Star Racing V-Twin at South Georgia Motorsports Park last month.

"George doesn't even know much about how the bike is going to run with me on it," Sampey said. "He knows what it ran with Matt on it and I probably weigh 30-to-35 pounds less than that. We want to get out there and see what the bike runs, and, of course, I want to win. I don't do anything without wanting to win - even if it's playing a game of checkers with my boyfriend at home. I am definitely going to be competitive, but this will be more laid back than what I'm used to."

She will be spending time throughout the weekend in the Star Racing pit area meeting with fans and signing autographs. Bryce and crew chief Ken Johnson will also be on hand to offer track support and answer questions.

"I am very appreciative of George and Jackie Bryce and Star Racing for giving me this opportunity, even if it's just to go out there and play for the weekend," said Sampey. "We have had a wonderful relationship from day one. George and Jackie gave me the opportunity to show my face at the drag races. Now they are introducing me to the ADRL, just like they did with NHRA."

New Star Racing performance parts on display.

Racers and fans can check out the newest in motorcycle performance parts for all late model sport bikes throughout the weekend. Star Parts Manager Doug Reed will be on hand with new product information and to answer all technical questions.

In 1980, George Bryce and his wife Jackie founded Star Racing to support the motorcycle drag racing community. Their high performance motorcycle company has evolved into a successful mail-order parts business, with engine building, and machine shop services. Their state-of-the-art machine shop houses a 5-Axis Haas CNC machine, Sunnen boring and honing equipment, a Spintron; DTS and Superflow engine dynos, and a DynoJet chassis dyno. Check them out on the web at http://www.starracing.com or call 800-841-7827.

Courtesy of Joe Sherk