This past weekend 799 motorcycle drag racers ran down the Maryland International Raceway (MDIR) quarter mile for the 20th annual Platinum Fleet Repair Bike Fest with the Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA). Only 1 shy of that round number of 800.
The temperatures over the weekend were in the 90’s with a minimal breeze making the track an oven, but that didn’t keep the XDA racers at home; they were ready to compete, and they showed despite a forecast with the threat of thunderstorms. For XDA, this race was their official season opener for 2020.
On Friday we tested all day long but on Friday night, rain washed out the first qualifying session of the weekend. We completed Sportsman Qualifying and Eliminations on Saturday, except for the last few rounds that were finished on Sunday morning. The Pros normally get three more qualifiers on Saturday, but a Saturday afternoon shower cancelled one of them, leaving the Pros with only two shots at putting down their best numbers for qualifying. We also completed the HTP Afterdark Underground Grudge program on Saturday night, along with the Running of the Bulls.
With a delayed season start due to Covid-19, racers were excited to finally see their racing family after 10 months away from the racetrack. And they made the best of the weekend with an added Cornhole Tournament and Squirt Gun Wars. But nothing felt as good as seeing quick numbers on the scoreboards and the win lights as competition was finally back underway.
Orient Express Racing Pro Street
Winner – Greg Wallace / Runner-up – Chris Moore
#1 Qualifier – Jeremy Teasley 6.564
My oh my was Orient Express Racing Pro Street a sight to see at the XDA season opener. The temperatures were hot, but that was nothing compared to how hot the Pro Street field was. Class champion Jeremy Teasley took the top qualifying spot on the DME Racing GSX-R1000 with a 6.564.
Ehren Litten, who holds the MPH record at 232.59 did not break his own record, but he did run an impressive 229.70mph on an entirely new set up for this year. And on his Litten-built and tuned Hayabusa, Greg Wallace also put down big MPH with a 228.89 that will earn him the #4 spot on the Pro Street MPH Goat List (Greatest of all Time).
Kenny Brewer finally brought his three year in the making ‘Show Bike’ to the track to prove he could run with the big boys. And he did just that with the biggest upset of the weekend taking out the class champion Jeremey Teasley in round one running a 7.071 to Teasley’s 7.259. Gamblers would have had their money on Teasley as the sure-fire winner of that round aboard the world’s quickest Pro Street bike. But the liter bike suffered a valve train issue and quickly slowed Teasley, sending Brewer to round two. Proving as tuners try to push the limits of their machines, anything can happen on Sunday.
In round two of eliminations Gaige Herrera ran a 6.667 to become the World’s Quickest Nitrous Hayabusa in Pro Street. Proving that even in the heat of July, the XDA and Maryland International Raceway can produce world record numbers.
Chris Moore won over his brother Alex in round one with a 6.60. Then in round two, he was ready for Rodney Williford running his personal best Pro Street pass to date, a 6.509. But Williford cut a red light when he couldn’t keep the power of his GSX-R1000 from wanting to launch like a missile down the track sending Moore to the semi-final. In the semi-final, Moore faced Justin Shakir, who had problems at the starting line, sending Moore to the final to meet Greg Wallace.
On his new Hayabusa, Greg Wallace was making impressive passes all weekend and looks to be a top contender for this season. Wallace qualified in the lower half of the field with a 6.95, but after seeing his passes on Sunday, you could see he turned around his game very quickly. In round one of eliminations, Wallace ran a 6.687 to take out Jason Dunigan. In round two, he ran a 6.59 taking out Darion Payne, and then in the semi-final, he took out his teammate Litten with a 6.643.
With Chris Moore running a 6.50 in round two, and Wallace on a steady descent on ET, everyone in Pro Street knew the final would be a good race. Wallace got the starting line advantage cutting a .047 light on Moore’s .132. As Moore attempted to catch up to Wallace, he was fighting for control over the literbike as it pulled him over the center line taking out the 1000′ cone. Greg Wallace won running a 6.547 to take the win and hold the points lead in what will only be a three-race series this year. The next two events will mean everything for the guys now behind him in points.
DME Racing Real Street
Winner – Ben Knight / Runner-up – Spencer Claycomb
#1 Qualifier – Spencer Claycomb 7.531
Record – Spencer Claycomb 7.531
The drama-filled class of DME Racing Real Street saw some ProCharger action this weekend with a new entry from Ben Knight, while two of our female racers went MIA due to mechanical issues. Class champion Spencer Claycomb qualified #1 with a 7.531, which reset the class ET record held by Jeremey Teasley. Class champion Jeremy Teasley not only lost the ET record, but he lost in round one of eliminations to David Stewart, making it his second ‘round one’ loss of the day.
Ashley Sweeney was unable to compete as her bike needed last-minute repairs, and Alisha Malone was having issues in Friday testing and opted not to enter the race. This left only newcomer Brittany Bohne to represent the ladies. Bohne made a lot of clean A-to-B passes, but she wasn’t able to get around Cameron Teasley in round one of eliminations.
Champion sportsman racer Ben Knight showed up to Maryland on Thursday for testing with his new DAS Performance built ProCharger Hayabusa entry. And he was clearly ready to make waves in the class as he had the scoreboards turned off so no one could see his times. His bike is loud and fast and quickly became a fan favorite over the weekend. He qualified #3 with a 7.677 and took out Anthony Weindel, Mark Hylton, and Brandon Teasley on the road to the final to face his teammate and class champion, Spencer Claycomb. Team ‘Shake and Bake’ were ecstatic to be in the final together. Odds were on Claycomb to take the win, but instead, he turned on the red-light sending Ben Knight to his first pro class winner’s circle.
Pro Xtreme
Winner – Travis Davis / Runner-up – Rob Garcia
#1 Qualifier – Shane Eperjesi 3.969
Track Record – Shane Eperjesi 193.43 mph
This weekend Shane Eperjesi qualified #1 with a 3.969 in XDA’s quickest eight-mile category, Pro Xtreme. Eperjesi’s turbo GS looked to be the favorite for Sunday when he also set the track record to 194.43mph in qualifying. Unfortunately, he was unable to back up the number to make it an official XDA record, and we will have to wait to see if he can do it again next month at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Shane Eperjesi lost in round two of eliminations to Travis Davis running a 4.064 to his 4.068. Travis Davis went on to the final to take on Rob Garcia, who qualified #2 and ran the quickest passes in round one and round two of eliminations. In the final, Garcia ran the quickest ET again at 4.000 to Davis’s 4.050. However, Davis had a much better reaction of .047 to Garcia’s .189, and that win at the tree got him the win at the stripe to make Travis Davis our first winner of the year.
Pro Xtreme is presented by Ace Motorsports, Billy Vose Racing, Dunigan Racing, DME Racing, Grothus Dragbikes, Harley Haul, MaxxECU, Rob Bush Motorsports, Robinson Industries, Schnitz Racing, Timblin Chassis, and Worldwide Bearings.
HTP Performance Super Stock
Winner – David Fondon / Runner-up – Jyrec Givens
#1 Qualifier – Jyrec Givens 8.877
Record – David Fondon 8.742 at 161.32 mph
The turnout was phenomenal in the ‘New for 2020’ HTP Performance Super Stock rider’s class with twenty-five riders showing up to compete. The class features stock wheelbase motorcycles with a limited about of modifications. This class is all about the riders and what they can do to squeeze the most power out of these motorcycles with just their clutch hand in control. The challenge with a stock wheelbase motorcycle in drag racing is controlling the torque off the starting line to keep that front tire on the ground for a quick and smooth transition from launch to acceleration.
Jyrec Givens, on his 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000, took the #1 qualifying spot running an 8.877. Jyrec took that advantage and turned it into a final-round appearance to face David Fondon. Fondon set two records on his way to the finals. In eliminations round two, Fondon set the MPH record to 161.33, and the ET record in the semi-final with an 8.742 run. With all the record-setting, it was not surprising to see the Puerto Rico rider take the win with an 8.860 to Given’s losing 8.963. The riding in this class was impressive and fun to watch!
APE Nitrous Bulls
Winner – Jeremy Teasley / Nipsey Hussle
Runner-up – Matthew Dozier / Jimmy Hendrix
The APE Nitrous Bulls featured great final round action with two grudge bikes making clean, fast passes. ‘Jimmy Hendrix’ ridden by Matt Dozier took on ‘Nipsey Hussle’ piloted by Jeremy Teasley. Both bikes put down the power and shot off into the night for two fast passes, but it would be Teasley claiming the win.
Monster Bulls
Winner – David Page / Pickin Pockets
Runner-up – Howard Gerken / Son of Sam
In round one of Monster Bulls, Howard Green on ‘Son of Sam’ got a bye to the final while David Page on ‘Pickin Pockets’ had to earn his spot taking out Dave Martin on ‘Gobstopper.’ In the Final, Page put in work again as he and Gerken had a close race with Page taking the win by half a bike length.
Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls
Winner – Kevin Johnson / Quick Money
Runner-up – Cody Lowe / Sho Nuff
In round one of Tommie’s Motorsports, DMV Bulls’ Quick Money’ prevailed over Jermaine Proctor on ‘5th St Bully’ while ‘Sho Nuff’ took out ‘Da Setup’ to advance to the finals. In the final ‘Sho Nuff’ didn’t have enough and ‘Quick Money’ took the win.
Vance & Hines 4.60
Winner – Ronald Procopio / Runner-up – Steven Shriver
#1 Qualifier – Terry Tompkins 4.603
The Vance & Hines 4.60 sportsman were lean and mean at the first XDA event of the year and eager for domination. Terry Tompkins was the boss on Saturday when he took the #1 qualifying spot running a 4.603 beating out #2 qualifier Johnny Anderson’s 4.608.
On Sunday Ronald Procopio and Steven Shriver were unbeatable in the first four rounds of competition to meet in the final. Procopio went into the final with the better reaction time average and kept that pace cutting a .043 light to Shriver’s .076. Shriver ran quicker with a 4.611, but that reaction time advantage gave the slower 4.628 ET of Procopio the win. Procopio started the 2019 season with a win and he is opening the 2020 season with the same luck.
The FBR Shop 5.60
Winner – Dustin Lee / Runner-up – Spencer Claycomb
#1 Qualifier – Dustin Lee 5.600
The FBR Shop 5.60 index eight-mile was dominated by the DRR team riders from Tennessee. Dustin Lee took the number one qualifying spot with a 5.600. Lee would then meet teammate Spencer Claycomb in the final for a Hayabusa face off. Lee won the battle at the tree with a .015 to Claycomb’s .051 reaction time. With Lee getting the advantage on the tree, Claycomb pushed too hard at the stripe and broke out running a 5.570, handing the win and a 1K payout to his friend Dustin Lee.
Crazy 8’s
Winner – Tylan Beckelheimer / Runner-up – Andrew Ritchey
#1 Qualifier – Dustin Lee 8.884
In Shinko Tires Crazy 8’s, the 2019 champion Dustin Lee took the top spot in qualifying with 8.884 on Saturday. In Sunday eliminations, Tylan Beckelheimer took out the number one qualifier in round two, and would win three more rounds to make it to the final. Beckelheimer, on his 2016 Suzuki GSX-R1000 meet Andrew Ritchey and his 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa in the final. With both riders looking to run dead on 8.88 they both gave the tree a push and cut almost identical reaction times. Ritchey didn’t back off enough at the stripe and broke out with a 8.861 to give the win to Beckelheimer who ran 8.891.
Mickey Thompson Performance Top Sportsman
Winner – Jim Shifflett / Runner-up – Erik Phipps
#1 Qualifier – Kevin Manchester 6.990
The thirty-two quickest ET bikes on the property have the privilege of running Mickey Thompson Performance Top Sportsman on Sunday. With 154 riders looking for a spot, Kevin Manchester would take the top qualifying spot with a 6.990 E.T. and he did it on a GSXR 1000 with no bar. The field had less than a second and a half separation with the thirty-second spot going to Mike Charcalla with an 8.360 ET. Jim Shifflett and Erik Phipps would put on a show Sunday night that was a nail biter to the end. Shifflett dialed an 8.06 and Phipps an 8.01, and both riders would cut identical .060 lights. As both riders shot off toward the finish line, you could see them keeping an eye on the other as they gauged the finish line. Shifflett would get the win running dead on his dial with 8.069 to Phipps’ 8.043. Shifflet won 3K and then went on to compete in Pro ET for a chance at another 3K, however, Stephen Knight would take him out in the semi’s to end that chance for a double win weekend.
MPS Racing Pro ET
Saturday Winner – James Farmer / Runner-up – Bill Maturo Jr
Sunday Winner – Stephen Knight / Runner-up – Wilson Burkhead
Close to 200 racers showed up to compete for the weekend’s $9,000 purse in MPS Racing Pro ET. In Saturday’s race, James Farmer and Bill Maturo Jr won seven rounds to make it to the final. But the final would be uneventful as Maturo was broke and Farmer got an easy final round win.
On Sunday, the final would feature Stephen Knight and Wilson Burkhead. Both competitors entered two bikes, and would actually face each other in quarter-finals where Burkhead would win over Knight, who cut a red light. And when they met again in the final, the dial-ins would not come into play. In the most important round of the day, it was Burkhead who would turn on the reds this time to give the win to Stephen Knight and a 3K payday.
Brock’s Performance Street ET
Saturday Winner – Montrell Johnson / Runner-up – Laray Proctor
Sunday Winner – Derrick Milbourne / Runner-up – Tyrone Dale
Brock’s Performance Street ET racers were not daunted by the high temperatures of the weekend and flooded the lanes for their chance at the weekend’s $2,000 purse. This class also saw a rule change for 2020 that requires a True Hand Clutch, thus moving anyone with a lock-up into the Pro ET class. On Saturday, Maryland racers, Montrell Johnson and Laray Proctor, would win six rounds of competition before facing off. In the final, Johnson would wait at the tree for a full second with his 8.95 dial-in while Proctor left first on his 9.75 dial. With closely matched reaction times, the win would come down to who could gauge the stripe better. Montrell took the win and 1K in cash when Proctor broke out running a 9.748.
On Sunday, the game was the same; only the final contenders would be different. In the seventh and final round, Derrick Milbourne and Tyrone Dale would be the last men standing. On his 2005 Kawasaki ZX-10R, Milbourne dialed an 8.90 to Dale’s 8.96 on his 2008 Suzuki GSX-R1000. Dale took the advantage at the starting line with a .010 reaction time to Milbourne’s .032. With both racers looking at each other and working the throttle at the top end of the track, Milbourne would get the win taking the stripe first and running closer to his dial with a 9.126 to Dale’s 9.298 et.
For full qualifying and round-by-round results of the event, visit www.xdaracing.com.
The XDA will head back to Virginia Motorsports Park for the second annual Bike Bash on August 21-23, 2020. There will be over 700 Professional, Sportsman, and Grudge motorcycle racers in competition battling it out for over $75,000 in cash purse. Make plans now to watch the best drag racers in the country put on the premier horsepower show the East Coast has to offer.
About XDA Racing
The Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA) is an east coast motorcycle drag racing series with 700+ motorcycle racers competing at each event. Every XDA event hosts professional classes, sportsman classes, grudge racing and a vendor midway. Lifestyle activities such as bike shows, bikini contests, DJ and live bands are also held at select events. For more information on the XDA, please visit www.xdaracing.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @xdaracing
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