It was an unforgettable start to the 50th annual NHRA Gatornationals for motorcycle fans.
Making his season debut, Japan’s Takeshi Shigematsu rode to a jaw-dropping new NHRA Top Fuel Harley record with a 6.10 at 233 mph in Q2 aboard his Don “DJ” Johnson-tuned supercharged twin.
Shigematsu, known as a fearless rider, says he nearly lost his grip on the handlebar before the finish line.
Shigematsu, who has been 6.02 and 6.06 in consecutive seasons at the Man Cup finals, says the motorcycle did not sustain any dammage.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle defending world champion Matt Smith took the top spot after driving to 6.753 at 200.95 run on his Elite Performance/DENSO Auto Parts/Stockseth EB during the first qualifying pass of the day. Smith followed the pass up with a 6.78 at a rapid 201.76 mph in Q2.
Smith did not qualify for this event in 2018 and seeks to change history at the season opening event for Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“I’m just glad (the success from last season) is carrying over,” said the three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champ. “Sometimes, you do stuff at the end of the year and it doesn’t carry over in to the following year. But, we worked really hard. We made two more identical bikes to what mine is. We’re working the little bugs out of them for Angie (Smith) and Scotty (Pollacheck). Then hopefully we can get two more of these bikes just like mine and where we can have a three bike and a pretty awesome team.”
Eddie Krawiec qualified second in the field with a 6.792 at 199.91 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Street Rod while his teammate Andrew Hines rounds out the top three.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.753, 200.95; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.792, 199.91; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.812, 198.58; 4. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 6.820, 197.80; 5. Hector Arana, EBR, 6.847, 198.20; 6. Joey Gladstone, EBR, 6.870, 194.52; 7. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.871, 196.24; 8. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.872, 195.85; 9. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.888, 197.28; 10. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.909, 197.02; 11. Cory Reed, EBR, 6.918, 195.03; 12. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.929, 193.21; 13. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.939, 192.66; 14. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.957, 193.77; 15. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.960, 192.47; 16. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.961, 194.24.
Not Qualified: 17. Katie Sullivan, 6.976, 193.10; 18. Karen Stoffer, 7.034, 194.32; 19. Jianna Salinas, 7.092, 191.46; 20. Lance Bonham, 7.101, 187.16; 21. John Hall, 7.110, 190.62; 22. Melissa Surber, 7.144, 191.92; 23. Andie Rawlings, 7.256, 179.54.
Top Fuel Harley — 1.Tak Shigematsu 6.101, 233.68; 2. Doug Vancil 6.340, 232.75; 3. Beau Layne 6.395, 224.85; 4.Tii Tharpe 6.417, 213.77; 5. Jake Stordeur 6.527, 213.16; 6.Armon Furr 6.565 ,209.72; 7. Tracy Kile 6.813, 193.82; 8. Rickey House 7.186, 216.41; 9. Chris Smith 7.514, 190.57; 10. Bob Malloy 7.637, 183.27; 11.Billy Jackson 7.723, 174.3; 12. Jay Turner 11.051, 108.66
Flashback to Shigematsu’s 6.06!
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