North-South Dragbike Challenge - Day 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 14th: What a fun, full day! With some roll-over from Friday’s TNT, there were still plenty of people around to Test-N-Tune Saturday . The best part was TNT was not advertised as an open TNT, so the field was nearly all bikes. This allowed us to make as many passes as we wanted. Now for many this was exactly the time they needed to learn our track… while others (like us) used the time to dial in for Sunday’s event. It was the only real comparable we would have for our set-up (similar heat, track prep, etc.). We zero'd out the power commander and ran some MR11. We ran (once again) our best times on the bike:

• .048 R/T 1.59 60' time 9.31 ET 151.67 MPH
• .090 R/T 1.55 60' time 9.33 ET 151.46 MPH
• .119 R/T 1.55 60' time 9.24 ET 152.71 MPH (AMAZING!)
• .098 R/T 1.57 60' time 9.32 ET 151.87 MPH
• .069 R/T 1.58 60' time 9.29 ET 152.33 MPH
• .129 R/T 1.56 60' time 9.25 ET 153.08 MPH
• .091 R/T 1.59 60' time 9.31 ET 152.55 MPH

Seriously, this bike is amazing and what makes it more impressive is how great of a rider Joey is on it, really brings out the best in BOTH of them! While you look at those numbers remember he is still foot shifting, that is dam good!

In addition to our own best times, we watched Russell Neidigh (Big Rob's son) finally get that elusive 8 second pass. Now most people when they are achieveing a number that they have long awaited, scratch the surface of that number and then gradually make big jumps... not Russ. He jumped in with both feet and a quick ass 8.76. WOW, nice work! Did I mention he is only 17. We got to see the next generation of racers in full swing this weekend, with Russ (17yo), Katie (17yo), and Auggie's son (just turned 16yo). Simply cool!

I had my opportunity to finally test on Katie’s bike. I have so much fun helping Joey and learning from him, he gives me the confidence to do well or at least try. He was great and jumped right in to help me line up and get ready for each of my passes. Thank you honey, it was beyond wonderful to have your help again!

After talking to Charlie Sullivan about the bike (details like: how hard does it launch, does she go straight, what size is the engine, what do you launch at, what tire pressure do you run...etc) I was ready (theoretically). I have to admit I was a little nervous on the first pass, new bike, little different set-up then what I ran with Eddy, but overall let's go have some fun!

• .419 R/T 1.73 60' time 12.23 ET 126.94 MPH (I was in no hurry off the line, wanted to get a feel for the bike. Once I got out there I had to find the shift button and just overall get familar with the bike)
• .138 R/T 1.40 60' time 9.52 ET 135.13 MPH (Alright, I got this now... let's go!)
• .054 R/T 1.37 60' time 9.50 ET 136.89 MPH
• -.012 R/T 1.60 60' time 10.03 ET 135.26 MPH (Don't even ask...total brain fart)

I am super happy with my passes, after talking with Katie she seemed pretty jazzed and said her best pass to-date was a 9.43 and she's had that bike for awhile. Not to take anything away from Katie, because she rides the heck out of that bike. I'm just happy to have gotten a 9.50 on my third pass ever out on the bike! Plus it felt so good to jump back on a bike and felt even better with Joey there by my side. Huge huge thanks to the Sullivan Family for giving me the opportunity to ride your bike, I had a blast!

Now we transition into Grudge Fest, things start coolin down including the track.

• .074 R/T 1.60 60' time 9.34 ET 151.95 MPH
• .099 R/T 2.13 60' time 10.01 ET 151.98 MPH
• .144 R/T 1.63 60' time 9.45 ET 150.46 MPH

Throughout the day Russ continued to kick butt and pull out many 8 second passes, not sure his head would fit in his helmet anymore (HAHAHA) the bike humbled him out and threw in a few 9 second passes for good measure! Overall, there were lots of quick bikes out many with no wheelie bars putting down some crazy good numbers. I am always impressed to see these guys get out there and ride those monsters. Seriously they have balls of steel.

Now on to tomorrow for the BIG EVENT!