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TONGLET EARNS SECOND VICTORY OF THE SEASON IN A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO SCREAMIN’ EAGLE V-RODS–Tonglet Takes Top Qualifying Honors for the First Time This Season.
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2005) -When GT Tonglet earned the victory at the third NHRA POWERade Drag Racing event in May at Commerce, Ga., he nearly jumped off his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson before it was stopped.
When Tonglet posted his second victory of the season and third of his career on Sunday, beating teammate Andrew Hines in the final at the 24th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the usually reserved 22-year-old had a different reaction.
“That was such an awesome win and I screamed as soon as I saw the win light in my lane,” Tonglet said. “And I have never screamed like that before. I was just so excited. It’s always great when Andrew and I race each other because it’s a win for the Screamin’ Eagle team, but he has beat me the last few times. This win will just give me more confidence for the rest of the season, and it is great to be at the top of the points race.”
With the victory, Tonglet took over as the Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader. He was third going into the race and now has a six-point lead over teammate Andrew Hines. Tonglet posted a 7.179-second pass at 187.68 mph over Hines’ 7.268 at 180.62.
“Overall, both of our V-Rods were just awesome all weekend,” Tonglet said. “Anytime we can both advance in the rounds just proves how hard this team works. For me it is even more important to get past the second round because mentally I just get more and more confident with every round.”
Hines – the 2004 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion – said the final round matchup was the best possible scenario.
“It’s a win-win situation because we are both in the hunt for the next championship and all that matters is that we go as far as we possibly can each weekend,” Hines said. “With just five races left this season, we’re up front in points and looking really good. It really can’t get any better than having both Screamin’ Eagle V-Rods in the final.”
Tonglet also earned top qualifying honors for the first time this season and second in his career, posting a 7.011 at 192.96. Once again, Hines was right there too, finishing second in qualifying with a 7.024 at 196.82.
“We came out here thinking it would be a little hot but the conditions were just awesome,” Hines said after earning his sixth consecutive Full Throttle Award (given to the most consistent team in qualifying). “We took advantage of the good weather and the very idea we ran so many passes in the 7.0-range just shows how consistent the crew is.”
Tonglet beat Michael Phillips (Suzuki) in the first round with a 7.067 pass at 190.32 over Phillips’ 7.205 at 187.00. In Round Two action, he beat Angelle Sampey (Suzuki) for the fourth time this season. Tonglet went 7.091 at 194.38 over Sampey’s red-light foul. In the semifinals against Geno Scali (Suzuki), Tonglet posted a 7.105 at 187.70 over Scali’s 7.232 at 181.25.
Hines topped Tom Bradford (Buell) in the first round with a 7.063 run at 185.49 over Bradford’s 7.238 at 182.11. Then Hines rode his Harley to a 7.136 at 188.67 to beat Suzuki rider Matt Smith’s 7.228 at 182.38 before Hines beat Antron Brown (Suzuki) in the semifinals with a 7.126 at 186.61 over a red-light start by Brown.
“To see the guys work so hard throughout the weekend to earn a spot in the finals was just amazing,” crew chief Byron Hines said. “I am so proud of the team and the boys for the way they responded to all the challenges of this race, and they proved how dedicated they are. The bikes ran well, the boys did really well. It was a great weekend.”
“We’re so impressed with GT, Andrew and the entire Screamin’ Eagle team for their remarkable performances this weekend and all season,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. “The team is very dedicated and has put in many hours of development and testing to keep the bikes as competitive as possible. The Harley-Davidson V-Rods continue to improve each week, and GT and Andrew keep honing their skills as well. Being one and two in the points race shows how all of their hard work is really paying off.”
In reaction to the recent NHRA rule change announcement (giving Suzuki models a 10-pound weight reduction) that goes into effect with the next race, Paluso said the team is surprised.
“This season has seen some great and close racing in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, with several different winners, a good mix of brands in the finals and a tight championship points chase,” said Paluso. “We were very surprised and disappointed by the rule change given the level of competition and parity that already existed.”
The next NHRA POWERade event that features the Pro Stock Motorcycle category is the O’Reilly Mid-South NHRA National at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 19-21.
STURGIS SHOVEL GAS CAP–I had a couple of tough times with that ol’ Shovel on the road, but no problem with that cool Speedster Gas Cap from Crime Scene Choppers, or the Brembo Brakes, or the list goes on. I received a number of comments on the Speedster cap.
–Bandit
RULES OF THE ROAD FROM BIKERNET–Some people are like Slinkies …Not really good for anything,But they still bring a smile to your face whenyou push them down a flight of stairs.
–from Drew Jack
BIKER CRUISE SHIP–I wanted to send this info along for a Bikers Break taking place on a cruise ship called Mariner of the Seas doing a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise on December 3, 2006. I have put this together since my husband and I both ride and I thought it would be something a little different to get bikers involved in
The Full BikerParties August 2005 Newsletter can be found at: http://www.bikerparties.com/august_2005.htm
–Trishsharleyd@aol.com
BIKERNET PARTY PLANNER–September Events: http://www.bikerparties.com/EventsCalendar.htm
Thursday, September 1, 2005 Four Corners Rally in the Rockies Ignacio/Durango CO
Friday, September 2, 2005 Tea Party, motorcycle rally, Montour Falls, NY.
Friday, September 2, 2005 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Bike Ride
Tuesday, September 6, 2005 Brothers Of The Creed Mc Labor Day Bash CA.
Friday, September 9, 2005 HAWG HOLLER FALL BIKERS BASH ATWOOD, TN.
Sunday, September 11, 2005 Lost Wheels MC 30th Anniversary PR
Thursday, September 15, 2005 Las Vegas Bike Fest
Saturday, September 17, 2005 Scooters 4 Hooters Run Syracuse, NY
AUSTRALIAN BIKERNET READER SHOW PRIDE–Pic is of my brother Chris (left) after receiving his “Gong” for 40 yearsservice in the Queensland Police Force.
I am very proud of his achievement!
–RayR
THE INTERNATIONAL BET–Two Muslim families moved from Saudi Arabia to America.When they arrived, the two fathers made a bet:in a year’s time whichever family had become more Americanized, would win.
One year later they met again.
The first man said, “My son is playing baseball, I had McDonalds for breakfast and I’m on my way to pick up a case of Bud, how about you?”
The second man replied, “Fuck you towel head
–from WeaselDave
NEW STEALTH STARTER AND K-9 DRIVE DEFINES CLEAN DESIGN AND STRENGTH IN STARTERS– Spyke Stealth Starters are now ready to strut with a shell for style! Custombuilders and bikers looking for a starter that doesn’t stick out like a sorethumb have to look no further. Concealed bolts and minimal lines give way toa smooth, sleek design like none other.
In addition, the Spyke StealthStarter utilizes brand-new, cutting-edge components with dependable gearsand gear ratios. Spyke Stealth Starters are available in polished or chrome1.4kw configurations for ’89 and later models with an optional super-strongSpyke Krypto-9 Starter Drive pre-installed.
The revolutionary Krypto-9 Starter Drive features an unprecedented lifetimewarranty. The drive is made from space-age composites that are much strongerand more durable than conventional starter drives.
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THE DOUG KEIM PERFECT COMBINATION–Due to the overwhelming popularity of the bike built for the Hard Rock Roadhouse tour, Doug Keim Creative Cycles (D.K.C.C) has decided to once again make available to the public one of the parts designed and created during the custom build. Although the D.K.C.C. 3-inch Open Belt Primary was created to steal the show, like any Doug Keim Creative Cycles’ product it will withstand any abuse the road tries to give out.
The 3-inch belt has a completely CNC-machined motor plate with a swept top and bottom along with fully radiused sides for looks. For strength, the unit features forged and milled front-and-rear pulleys and a Primo Brute clutch assembly. Available in both polish and chrome finishes, keep an eye out for the outboard supported version, coming soon.
For more information. contact: Doug Keim Creative Cycles
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BIKERNET AMBER ALERT-RIG STOLEN–8.03.2005 Chip Ellis parked the Star/G2 rig last night in Omaha Neb. about 10:30 pm, when he came out this morning it was GONE!
Please help us find it! Any suggestions would be appreciated. 229-924-0031 or 800-841-7827
It is the whole rig: truck, trailer, race bike, engines, pit bikes, 2 street bikes, tools, EVERYTHING!!
1997 T2000 Kenworth Truck with Competition Trailer it’s White and Blue with Orange Star and Yellow Flames. Please call everybody you know that may be able to help!
Thanks, Jackie and George Bryce, George Smith
Please use whatever resources you may have to help the G2 Motorsports Team. As many VTwinPlus.com fans already know this is the bike that we have our name on. The team is currently in a tight point battle and have had their share of adversity this season. Let’s all group together and lend a hand in righting this terrible wrong! Speed is essential here
-Greg Guarinello
MORE TO COME–I could have doubled the news today, but I need a break and time to work on Sturgis Reports. I’m still finding notes in vests and boots from the Full Throttle Saloon. I’ll hit it hard again on Sunday. We have Sturgis reports, fiction (the Unforgiven), Bike Features from Hawaii and Texas, Lucky Devil to post. Next week I’ll work on my freelance assignments and drive features onto Bikernet. We may never catch up.
Sometime this weekend I’m being banned from the headquarters as 23 women converge on the teetering premises to touch one another and drink Pink Panty drinks. I may putt to the House of Hayden bar in downtown Long Beach and drink myself under the table. Then again, how about the House of Blues, if they have a good band. Then like a wharf rat I’ll try to sneak back to the headquarters and check the action. There’s so many rodents around, they won’t notice another one clinging to a window frame and smirking, two stories up.
Now it’s back to the Sturgis reports. Have a helluva weekend.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
