9.27 @ 153 mph

It's hard to put the excitement into words, so for lack of a better word... AMAZING is what comes to mind! We are very very pleased to have pulled out a beautiful...

9.277 @ 153.308 mph

With minor mods - some nice smelling fuel and a power commander this baby wants to scream. She loves the track and luckily so does her owner. With big thanks to PCP Motorsports for sponsoring us, we can't wait to see more!

Overall it was a fun night, with lots of bikes out for a test-n-tune! Our friends Lloyd & Shelly were up from Fresno, Cuda brought the beast out and there were many other styles of bikes out... playin! It was a great night with FANTASTIC results! ;)

http://w217.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w217.photobucket.com/albums/cc288/bumblebeezx/TNT 5-23-08/68bf7d51.pbw" height="300" width="400">

Until next time... BEE safe and have fun!

NHRA Chassisworks ET Race - 5/3/08

As the seasons change, the weather follows! It was beautiful outside! Lots of sun and a little breeze! The ET race was after the Junior Dragsters double elimination race, which means we waited and waited... but that's just the way it works.

Overall, it was a good day! Not too many cars so the wait between rounds was not crazy. It was a fun day, filled with good friends and racing!

CONGRATS Mona! You brought home the win! We are so proud of you! WooHoo!



The day ended in wondeful ways! Till next time...bee safe and have fun!

The first GRUDGE FEST of the season (4/26/08)!

What an amazing day! The weather was truly Spring like, mid-to-high 80's with a slight breeze! It was gorgeous and that kinda weather brings great track conditions! It was the first Grudge Fest of the year and it was packed, they said there were over 200 cars in attendance and approx. 10 bikes! The down side to that many cars is the bikes sit for long periods between runs. Gotta take the good with the bad!

We had a GREAT night! We pulled some amazing numbers out of the bike! Babe, don't doubt your ability, I DON'T and NEVER have! You did GREAT! It seems like everytime we get her out there she just continues to shine more & more! Its no secret that Busa's were created with the drag strip in mind, but they outdid themselves this time! This bike continues to impress us each time we go out!

Here are the stats:

9.51 @ 150.4 mph (w/ a 1.61 60' time)
9.37 @ 151.3 mph (w/ a 1.59 60' time) Now that's what we are looking for, we knew she had in her!
They say its not a solid run (especially if its a great number until you back it up, well...) our next pass did just that!
9.36 @ 150.6 mph (w/ a 1.57 60' time) WOOHOO! Simply amazing!
9.49 @ 144.7 mph (w/ a 1.60 60' time)
9.53 @ 149.0 mph (w/ a 1.59 60' time)

Simply a PHENOMENAL evening of racing!

I'll keep y'all posted on the next time we're out! Until then...keep both wheels on the ground (at least for awhile) and BEE safe!

BB

Family Reunion - Redding 4/19/08

What a GREAT weekend! We had the opportunity last weekend to go up to Redding and ride/race with family/friends. One of our great friends came down from Colorado, a few others came up from Modesto and we made the trip from Sacramento to go play in Redding! Once upon a time we used to all ride/race almost every weekend. Life takes a funny turn every now and then, people move and start new beginnings. Then without notice those that are so important to you come back front and center! We are so excited to be able to rekindle those friendships!

Redding Drag Strip: It was our first time to their track, and it was great; very well prepared and the people were friendly! We'll definitely be making a trip back up there! A few people that have raced Sacramento Raceway and Redding Drag Strip said we should expect to lose a tenth off our times. Fortuntely, we didn't lose anything! We maintained our mph (150mph) and obtained an ET of 9.49, keeping in mind we ran a 9.47 at Sacramento.

We also managed to beat "THE KING" on his turf and fair-n-square! We're not being arrogant or cocky! Joe is a phenominal rider as is Joey! Joey has always admired Joe's ability and attitude towards racing! One of the best things about racing someone who runs a little better #'s then you is they push you, push you to perform better! This was no exception! Joe and Joey got up there, paired up with the intention of simply having some fun! It was a GREAT race, from launch to finish! Joey got Joe out of the hole then Joe out sixty footed Joey, but Joey pulled around him at the top end! Joey's ET 9.49 to Joe's 9.51, it really was a sight to see!

The following day we all got up, went to breakfast (like old times) and then proceeded into the rest of the day by enjoying great company and great riding! We have huge respect & big love for the England family! Thank you for letting us stay with you and have such a fun/wonderful weekend! We can't wait to do it again!

Funny Car Fever | April 12th 2008

What a wonderful weekend! The weather was beautiful, not too hot and definitely not too windy! It started off early and ended late, but we wouldn't have it any other way! There were many race day participants and tons of fans, which is very cool to see!

We have a full bike field (16 bikes) representing NorCal Dragbike Association. We also had two alternates (Joey and sorry I can't remember his name)! Fortunately and unfortunately, Joey & ? didn't get to compete but they did get to make time-only runs all day!



It was a super fun day! There were lots of people there enjoying the day! Lots of very fast cars, fast bikes and great people!







We are super proud of Mona Christiansen! She took out all but one dragbike, taking her all the way to the finals! You rock, girl! We are so happy to see you do so well, although we are disappointed in the finish (which had nothing to do with you). Keep smiling, you did great all day long!



Overall, it was a great day! Hopefully the final events of the day won't be an issue next event! Til next time...keep both wheels on the ground (at least for awhile) and BEE safe!

BB

Some additional photos!

I'm super proud of you babe!

Back with AMAZING results!

What a wonderful night!

It has been a long time coming… and I am SO happy to have been a part of last night!

A few years ago, a very important person to me lost something, something that at one time he was very passionate about. For those of you who know us, you know he is where my passion started. It devastated me to see him lose it… but I am elated to share with you that he FOUND it again! I’m speaking of the passion of DRAG RACING!

Joey recently purchased a brand new 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa and she’s a BEAUTY! She is a beautiful mix of black and charcoal. The color specs for the bike say its black black/gray, but it’s definitely not gray it’s a gorgeous deep tone of charcoal. When designing the new 08’ they seemed to have left nothing out. Joey took me for a ride not too long ago and it feels so good. It pulls hard and feels smooth through every gear. Equipped with a 1340 cc motor, 12.5:1 compression, 3 factory power settings (similar to the GSXR-1000) and a factory shift light to boot, Suzuki created a BEAST! When compared to the ZX-14, Cycle World Magazine reported “No word in the early press materials as to what kind of electronic hocus-pocus (if any) will be used to keep the new ’Busa from becoming a human fly-swatter at the dragstrip, but certainly the ZX-14’s production-record 9.78-second pass is in danger”. They were nothing less then accurate! This baby is BEAUTY and the BEAST all wrapped together in one killer package!



With nothing more then an aftermarket pipe, Joey’s first pass was a 9.80 @ 147 mph against a stretched ZX-14 who ran a 9.81. Quickly followed up by a 9.72 pass. His worst pass of the night (if you could call it that) was a 9.90 with MPH throughout the evening consistently between 147 - 150. After obtaining a strap from Alicia Karstens of GoMoto (www.gomotoriders.com), his best and final pass of the night was a 9.47 @ 150.9 mph. It was a BEAUTIFUL pass from launch to the ¼ mile mark. We got him in a fairly sticky patch at the line, he launched her good and she went straight as an arrow. Almost as if that was exactly what she had been waiting for. You could see her pulling hard the entire way, which is pretty impressive considering you typically don’t see that type of performance.



Keep in mind he hasn’t raced in a about a year-n-half and every rider questions if they remember “how to do this”. Without any more questions needed, he absolutely proved that this is in his blood to-stay. THANK GOD! We both feel VERY confident with the right day (good traction, good track prep, good air, sunny conditions, etc.) that we will see a .30 pass (low or high – that would kick ass for a bone stock Busa).

We are excited to just have fun with her and see what else she can do. I’ll keep you updated on her progress…

Till next time…watch out 14’s – no cryin’ because you bought an inferior machine! ;)

I LOVE YOU JOEY! Thank you for letting me be a part of your first night back!

Keep the rubber side down (at least for awhile) and bee safe!

Yet another TROPHY! WooHoo!

CONGRATULATIONS SARA!

You ROCK! You pushed out the following:

• Viper
• Mustang
• Corvette
• and...a truck!

Congrats on a your SECOND WIN!

Wednesday Night Drags - March 5, 2008

I LOVE YOU! Mom!

This makes your second WIN with (2) runners-up! You're the bomb!

So wonderful...

Every now and again, I get to spend a FABULOUS day with my daughter! It is ALWAYS so much fun and I always end up reflecting on how quickly she is growing. She just turned 16 and before I know it, she'll be off to college! She really is the most AMAZING person and I am just lucky enough to be able to call her my daughter! I LOVE YOU PRINCESS!





She is always there for me when I am racing and I'm just glad I can do the same for her!

NHRA Chassisworks ET Race #2 - 1/20/08

North-South Dragbike Challenge - June 2008

Hey Racers and Fans:

There will be a big race in June for ALL motorcycles. Hopefully we can get a huge turnout and a ton of fans to attend. Let's make this the biggest race the west coast has seen!

If you have questions about the race, please contact Charlie @ cp20046@aol.com

Regards-
Annette aka Bumble Bee

http://bumblebeezx.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bumblebeezx

Keep the rubber side down (at least for awhile) and bee safe!

New Year's Day Drags 2008!

The weather was COLD but the atmosphere was warm! We were cut down to a 1/8 mile all day due to the cold temps, but all-in-all it was a good day! We made it to second round and then I decided (apparently) to take a nap at the tree, I'll load the video soon. Its always a good day when you can race!

We are excited about the new season and ready to do what we do! Next race is scheduled for January 20th @ Sacramento Raceway!

Happy Holidays!

I hope each of you has a wonderful and blessed Christmas as well as a safe and joyous New Year!

This year has brought many changes in my life; some bad and some phenomenal! I lost love and found love (in my daughters passion), discovered a twist on my old passion, and learned that I have a lot to reflect on and be humble about. Overall, it was a very educational year both personally and professionally! Each New Year is a great opportunity to evaluate the past to determine how we can be better, stronger people for ourselves, our families and our friends!

I hope to start the New Year off at the track, looking to bring home the win! But regardless of the outcome…HAVE FUN! We plan on being competitive this season and achieving many of the goals we set! See ya at the track… pick a lane!!!

I wish each of you the best the season has to offer! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bumble Bee

The split second WRECK...

So this weekend we went out for some more testing, despite what the weather people said. It started out slow, we spun off the line fairly hard but outside of that it was a decent run.

9.22 @ 143.9 mph with a -.220 reaction and a 1.66 60’ time (she was creeping hard as soon as I got on the two step and wasn’t waiting for no light… ah well)

Our next run was better, still spun but not nearly as bad as the first run. We talked about testing some new things, so I could know what it feels like (i.e., the bike bogging). We decided to see what she would do the next round and then make adjustments as needed.

8.84 @ 147.86 mph with a .141 reaction and a 1.300 60’ time (Great ET, good 60’ time…not so good reaction)

We discovered our launch was up WAY higher then we normally launch at so we adjusted for that and away we go…

8.82 @ 149.36 mph with a .091 reaction and a 1.307 60’ time (FANTASTIC! This is our best ET to-date)

We decided to adjust the launch to attempt to make the bike bog this next pass… UNFORTUNATELY, it didn’t quite turn out as we had envisioned…

I got out there did my burnout, my normal routine, staged and… HOLY CRAP…

Let’s just say the bike got seriously wicked on me and well the “rookie” in me let us down (literally). I couldn’t get out of it fast enough (or at all in this case) and it got out of control and I wrecked. The video is pretty narly too. L Good news is I AM OK…I did a brief slide, my leathers hooked on something and began a brief but significant tumble. When I came to a stop it was mere mili-seconds before Jason and Eddy were at my side to make sure I was ok. THANK YOU GUYS! There were several others at my side and tending to our now wounded bike…THANK YOU to them as well. I am so sorry Eddy. In the end, I walked away with minor bruising. my spirit is ready to ride (right now)… my body needs a week or so to recover. I want to extend a huge I’M SORRY to my daughter, she was really freaked out. Baby, know that I love you and this is a risk we both take when we decide to race. I LOVE YOU ALWAYS!

So we have some minor repairs to make and we’ll be back out testing in preparation for the new year and new season! Till next time…have fun, be safe and Happy Holidays!

BB

8.87 with a Top speed of 150.35 mph

We went out to Saturdays Test N' Tune to see if we could back up our 8.90 from West Coast Motorcycle Challenge and to have a little fun on a beautiful day!

Here are our stats for Saturday:

• 9.26 @ 145.61 mph with a .406 reaction (CRAP) and a 1.51 60' time (this run was partially rider error & partial breaking the tire loose, we lowered the tire pressure a tad – no good)
• 8.92 @ 150.35 mph with a .182 reaction and a 1.31 60' time (we corrected the tire pressure and I got my head out of my dairy-ere) Our best MPH to date and back down to that 8.90 range!
• 9.29 @ 148.80 mph with a .028 reaction (FABULOUS!) and a 1.37 60' time (so our ET was not there but dam what a great reaction time, we spun a little off the line and got out of the groove a little)
• 8.87 @ 149.55 mph with a .173 reaction and a 1.30 60' time (WOOHOO! This is our best ET todate, but dam this means I'd break out of an 8.90 index…shoot)
  

Overall, it was a GREAT day, we accomplished three things…

1. Quickest ET (to-date)
2. Best reaction time (to-date)
3. Fastest MPH (to-date)

I'm very happy with our progress and look forward to learning more. I firmly believe in learning something from EVERY run and strive to do so every time we go out.

Till next time (probably when we go down to Infineon, November 25th…) keep the rubber side down (at least for awhile) and bee safe!

BB

Article from 1tail.com - Thank you Patti!

Annette Robb - A Hired Jockey Kicking Butt and Taking No Names
Patti Smith for 1Tail, Wednesday, October 31, 2007

California, USA - Annette Robb aka "Bumble Bee", mother of two, has now been officially racing for the past 2.5 years. She used to crewchief for an old boyfriend, for 5 years and decided to take the leap and jump into the rider’s seat. She loves the sport and the camaraderie that comes along with it. She feels it’s a “great community and wanted to be directly involved.” Now, it’s a serious passion and, Robb`s doing everything in her power to become an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider.

When asked how many other women raced around her area, her reply was “about 6.” Why it was still a 1-digit number, especially in California, she stated, “Women seem more intimidated by the machines and the guys. They lack the self-confidence to participate more actively. There are a few women rider groups in our area, such as Plush Racing and NorCal Chic Riders, that were formed to get more ladies involved in the motorcycle community from a hands-on perspective. They have track days to show these potential new riders safe practices in a safe environment. When a woman feels safe the intimidation subsides. With local companies like Go Moto, which caters specifically to women riders, the level of interest and confidence is bound to skyrocket.

When asked how she specifically felt about her sport, Robb emphatically stated, “It`s sooooo much fun, I LOVE IT. Regardless of what you do for a living, everyone needs an escape from the day-to-day drudgery and, I found mine. There’s nothing else out there like this. It’s you, your machine and the environment and, for those 8 seconds, nothing else matters. I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT I CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS INDUSTRY.

How was her first run? “It was exhilarating. I was racing my old street bike – an ‘03 Kawa ZX6. Having crewed for such a long time, I had no fear whatsoever I felt REALLY comfortable. I’m extremely competitive, which pushes me to perform better. My first run was a 12.78, in the ¼ mile on a 636cc bike. Every time I went out, for the first couple of weeks after that, I cut a .10 off of my times – eventually, reaching a time of 10.75, at 131 mph. At that point, you really start to push yourself, your skills and your machine.” Unfortunately, in June of 2005, she pushed herself a little too hard and flipped her bike at the track but, her desire to succeed healed her wounds and mended her spirit and, when asked by the ER tech if she’d race again, her instant reply was, “absolutely!” She was off the track long enough to repair her bike and, a month later she was out racing and riding like nothing had happened.

Due to financial reasons, in October 2006, she had to get rid of her street bike and was without a motorcycle for about 9 months. As Luck would have it, this put her in a position to be a “hired jockey” for her friends Eddy and Paula Palmer of the NorCal Dragrace Association. As she explained, “Instead of being a lone racer, I had the opportunity to ride for one person – one team.” When the offer came, she had to ask, “Why me?” "The response that I received was `because I know you can do it`", but, even with such an amazing opportunity, I had to discuss it with my family. One has to understand and accept the reality that all racers face, which is that every time you line up we intentionally put ourselves in harm’s way. If anything should happen to me, it would affect my family, permanently, and that’s something they need to understand, too.” What do her kids think of their mom’s racing? “My son is fairly removed rom it. It’s not something that he actively participates in or has an opinion about. My daughter, on the other hand, is very involved and, actually, races, also. There is a saying in racing circles which states, ‘The families that race together stay together’, and we are no exception.”

For those uninformed about drag-racing and, interested, Annette points out some differences between street bikes and drag bikes. Street bikes, for the most part, are stock and street legal, whereas, most drag bikes are not. The variances in bike set-up largely depend on the type of racing you do – i.e., Street E.T., Pro E.T., Super Comp, Super Gas, etc. Almost every event you race will have it’s own set of rules designed to make the class fun and competitive for all. Know your machine, your set-up and always have fun!”

Her latest time and personal best-to-date is an 8.90, with a top speed of 149.5mph. Thus far, her best 60’ time has been 1.28 seconds. She is currently racing an ’86 Suzuki GSX-R with a 1340cc motor and 13.5:1 compression. “It’s like riding a rocket but sooo much fun, In fact, we’ve made that the team’s motto – ‘LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!” she stated, laughingly. Robb credits the owner of her ride, Eddy, for being a huge part of her success, to date. “He is a phenomenal teacher – always very good about telling me what the bike should do after we make tuning changes which, ultimately, helps us perform better.”

Recently, the team participated in a local event, The West Coast Motorcycle Challenge at the Sacramento Raceway. “We were very excited and optimistic. Essentially, going into this event, we were the underdog but we managed to rise through the ranks and take home 1st Place in the Super Comp Category. For those that are learning about drag racing – a Super Comp is an 8.90 time index, which means you have to run as close to 8.90, without breaking out. We had a lot of fun and walked away with the win. Now, that’s a great way to end the day!” she stated. “We are working very hard to put together a strong, competitive season for 2008, and plan on bringing home 1st Place, as frequently as possible!”

Annette Robb, Eddy and Paula Palmer, and NorCal Dragbike would like to thank their sponsors: AEC Cycle (Sacramento, CA), AERIS-West (Sacramento, CA), Pac-West Trailers, (North Highlands, CA) and Natinal Down Syndrome Coalition (Roseville, CA)

The team is currently seeking additional sponsors for the 2008 season. Annette may be reached at bumblebeezx@yahoo.com. To check out what she’s been up to, visit: NORCAL DRAGBIKE ASSOCIATION AT http://www.norcaldragbikes.com/, http://bumblebeezx.blogspot.com/ and at www.myspace.com/bumblebeezx.

To check it out at the source go to: http://www.1tail.com/sa/news/s/default.htm?g={0BB984A8-7A2A-49D4-B38C-564A53347581}

To the finals - she went!

Everytime my daughter gets out there and races, it brings me so much pride! She has found something that she enjoys, much like mom, but really for her own reasons!

She made it to the semi-finals the last two Wednesdays in a row and last night (10/24/07) she made it to the finals! WooHoo!

She ran good and had some luck thrown in there too but overall she kept the pedal down and her eyes on the prize!

She got one qualifying pass:

• 16.01 @ 84.45 mph with a .215 reaction and 2.49 60' time

As she entered eliminations she was cool, calm, collected and ready...

• 16.06 on a 16.00 dial-in WINNER
• 16.16 on a 15.97 (but she got a bye run) automatic WINNER (thank goodness on that run)
• 16.01 on a 15.97 dial-in WINNER (her opponent red-lit)
• 16.14 on a 15.97 dial-in (hole shot win) WINNER we are on to the FINALS
• 16.01 on a 15.97 dial-in had she cut a better light she would have walked away with the win

Overall, she got a great runner-up trophy (her first drag racing trophy at that)! I will post a pic soon! I am SUPER SUPER proud of her...it took me 2 years of racing to get a trophy! You rock princess! She ran her personal best reaction time of .033 and I believe her personal best 60' time of 2.45! WooHoo!

I love you baby, you rock!

Rock & Race @ Redding Dragstrip!

Come one...come all! Let's have some fun at Redding Dragstrip this Saturday, October 27th. Gates open at 6pm!

Wednesday Night Drags – October 17, 2007 @ Sacramento Raceway

Well Sara has found her element - Wednesday nights thus far! She admittedly said she likes racing in the evening better! I am so proud of her, she is doing so good!

§ 16.21 @ 84.63 mph with a .189 reaction and a 2.61 60’ time (qualifying pass)
§ 16.13 @ 84.13 mph with a .132 reaction and a 2.57 60’ time (1st rd) WINNER on a 16.15 dial in
§ 16.39 @ 80.03 mph with a .169 reaction and a 2.52 60’ time (2nd rd) WINNER on a 16.10 dial in {hole shot win}
§ 16.07 @ 84.26 mph with a .046 reaction and a 2.50 60’ time (SEMI-FINALS) on a 16.10 dial in {she broke out}

Regardless she made it to the SEMI-FINALS twice now! ROCK ON!!! She also learned a little more about bracket racing too! Its all about seat time and she is LOVING every minute of it!

I am so proud of her (WOOHOO!!!) and really appreciate Jason allowing her to beat on his truck week after week. THANK YOU!

In addition, I like to say CONGRATS to my girl Alicia of Go Moto for winning in the finals against her husband Ira! Good Job girl, display that Trophy you earned it! WooHoo!!!

TRUCK DRAGS – October 14, 2007 @ Sacramento Raceway

My pride continues to grow as my daughter, Sara, continues to get better and better at her new adventure! Jason and I had been working with her in hopes of getting her ready to run Truck Drags on October 14th. It was a great weekend of racing, both Saturday and Sunday!



Big thanks to Fred for organizing this event, it was fun and a lot of trucks showed up to run. Even a few volkwagens and el camino’s came out…although I still haven’t figured out the correlation between them and the TRUCKS… It was a TRUCK drag, but whateva!

They gave them numerous practice runs, starting around 10 am. Giving her plenty time to get comfortable and ready to roll.

§ 15.38 @ 88.36 mph with a .257 reaction and a 2.38 60’ time
§ 15.78 @ 92.07 mph with a .247 reaction and a 2.54 60’ time
§ 15.56 @ 88.02 mph with a .195 reaction and a 2.44 60’ time
§ 15.98 @ 90.04 mph with a .264 reaction and a 2.57 60’ time
§ 16.03 @ 84.62 mph with a .209 reaction and a 2.50 60’ time
§ 16.02 @ 85.47 mph with a .127 reaction and a 2.52 60’ time
§ 15.99 @ 85.16 mph with a .137 reaction and a 2.50 60’ time
§ 16.03 @ 83.85 mph with a .174 reaction and a 2.50 60’ time

So lots and lots of practice passes! And she is pretty darn consistent….how does she do that? So now we break for a quick lunch and we’ll jump into the action a little after 1pm.

Unfortunately, she broke out 1st round and was eliminated with a:

§ 15.92 @ 85.24 mph on a 15.98 dial in

Yikes, so darn close. Her opponent was off by a lot on his run vs. dial time too! Oh well, that’s racing but she was hot when she went out. She cooled down a bit and we bought into Jackpot… let’s see how we do here!

Not so good…

§ 16.07 @ 84.82 mph on a 15.90 dial in

She needed that pass on the previous round, darn it! Ah well, it was all good fun and great practice… Not to mention her first competition! Good Job princess! She is excited for the next race…