Tommy Grimes and the Mid Continent drag race team have put over 4,000 miles under their belts to compete with AHDRA’s the most strenuous week of the season.
Grimes and Freddie Robbins left Pfafftown, NC early last week for the th Sturgis Rally which is a fun race with no points involved. They met up with Verl “Smitty” Smith, and Steve to do several pre race activities, including the Griz Robinson Memorial VA Drag Bike Show at the Black Hills Medical Facility in Sturgis. Then several autograph sessions including a daring and enthusiastically recieved Burnout at the Broken Spoke Saloon (one of Sturgis’ premier watering holes).
After several days of promotional activities, Grimes qualified #8 in the Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel grid on the 1/8 mile Sturgis Drag Strip. But his chance to repeat his 2008 victory at Sturgis was cut short, but his crewing abilities aided in a victory for part time nitro racer and team member Freddie Robbins who took a win for the Mid Continent Team of Mike Bainmayer in the Pro Dragster Class.
There’s not much time for celebrating at Sturgis as Mid Continent packed up their 5 nitro bikes and their red, black and white uniforms and headed back East for Thunder in the Valley at Bristol, TN. At Bristol, clutch issues persisted, and though Grimes qualified, he was unable to advance in the eliminations.
A quick turnaround had the Mid Continent Team in Kansas City for the 38th Annual Truett and Osborn Drag Race at Kansas International Dragway. Grimes qualified #8 at the track but was able with some expert tuning help to de-tune the nitro monster to accommodate the 1,000 foot track and win the event. Co-conspirators, Freddie Robbins and team owner, Mike Bainmayer both made it to the semi finals of the B Fuel class, both on Pro Dragsters.
For the next few weekends, the Mid Continent team will be doing Match races. August 29th the team will be at Carolina Dragway (www.houseofhook.com) near Jackson, SC and on Labor Day weekend the team will be joining the festivities at Jim Turner’s Piedmont Dragway (www.piedmontdragway.com) near Greensboro, NC.