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THE 2004 BIG TEXAS CHOP-OFF–The 2004 Big Texas Chop-Off is a unique competition focused on discovering and showcasing the new and talented faces behind some of the best looking bikes and best kept secrets around the country. You will be competing amongst 17 other hand picked builders who will be competing in this year’s event. You will be unveiling your work-of-art at this year?s Lone Star Biker Bash on September 16, 17, 18 & 19th vying for a large cash prize as well as lots of media attention. This event is really about showcasing you and the bike you build.
The only people truly qualified to judge an event like this are other Master Builders that know what to look for and that are respected in the industry. The current panel of judges for 2004 are Donnie Smith, Dave Perewitz, Tim Edmondson, Roger Bourget, Jerry Covington, Jim Nasi, Joe Martin and Rick Fairless. Three more judges will be added to the panel.
Additionally, we’re putting together an autograph book featuring each of the builders and judges that will include a photo & brief bio on each of the contestants. Couple this with substantial media exposure and we?re convinced the 2004 Big Texas Chop-Off will soon be considered the most prestigious bike building invitational in the country.
Remember, the bike you build must be kept away from the public eye until the unveiling at the Lone Star Biker Bash. This is very important in keeping the media attention at a high level. This is also one of the things that make this event different. No one can enter a bike they have already shown.
The 18 competitors for 2004 are (in no particular order) Jesse Jurrens & Mike Prugh (Independent Cycles), Jesse & James Rooke (Rooke Customs), David Covington (Covington Cycle City), Tony “Torch” & Mike “Ziggy” (G Spot Choppers/Beaberbuilt), Brice Judy (Outlaw Customs), Bill Rucker (Rucker Performance), Ray Salas (Salas Ultra Custom Bike Works), Gypsy (Thunder Press & Independent builder), Matt Edmondson (Edmondson Custom Cycles), Ken Kirkpatrick & Kevin Brown (Sattler V-Twin), Jason Crump (Texas V-Twin), Kent Weeks (Lucky Devil), Mike Ballew (Ballew’s South Central Customs), Mike Cheek “Grumpy” (Grumpy’s Customs), Mike Stafford (MGS Custom Bikes), Erick Ackley (Tempest Cycles), Alex Mardikian (Von Dutch Kustom Cycles), and Wild Bill (Pro Street Customs).
These builders are competing for cash prizes up to $50, 000.
LAUGHLIN TOUCH–Sounds like your trip was a lot like ours, including the ticket! Saw those 2 babes in the SGV booth and followed them for a while. Channel 8 Las Vegas was doing a “Blues, Bikes & Babes” special at the American Ironhorse booth. Caught these 2 on one of the bikes and in front of the channel 8 cameras…thought you might enjoy these.
Roger
F-USA THUNDERBIKE TITLE-CHASE TIGHTENS AT SUMMIT POINT–Estok Disqualified but Retains Slim Lead in Series Points.
SUMMIT POINT, W.Va. (May 31, 2004) – The top contenders for the Formula USA National Thunderbike championship faltered at the third event of the eight-race series at Summit Point Raceway yielding a new winner and tightening the points chase. Harding Harley-Davidson rider Dave Estok was disqualified during the post-event technical inspection, but still left the event leading the series by a single point, as just seven points separate the top four riders.
Summit Point regular Dave Yaakov took the pole as Estok, the defending Thunderbike national champion, qualified a disappointing 13th aboard his Buell Firebolt. Estok said it was the worst qualifying result of his career, adding that last-minute tuning changes aimed at reducing his horsepower to suit the class power-to-weight rules made his bike run poorly.
Yaakov and Harding Harley-Davidson rider Bryan Bemisderfer led from the start, but Bemisderfer was forced to retire when his Buell Firebolt developed an oil line problem. Yaakov then cruised to victory aboard his CAD Cycles Suzuki. Hal?s Buell rider Dan Bilansky crossed the finish line second, but was demoted three positions after his Buell Firebolt exceeded its allowed power/weight ratio limit by less than 1 horsepower in post-race testing. Hoban Brothers Racing-Appleton Buell rider Jeff Johnson was thus promoted from third to second position in the final standings, with CAD Racing rider Darren Danilowicz moving up to third. Estok crossed the line fifth but was disqualified entirely after his Buell Firebolt tested 2.5 horsepower over its allowed power/weight limit. Bilansky was credited with fifth place, with Blue Springs Buell rider Walt Sipp sixth aboard his Buell Lightning X1.
When the results were finally sorted out, Estok left Summit Point with 41 points after three Thunderbike events, just one point ahead of Bemisderfer. Bilansky is third with 36 points, followed by Kosco Buell rider Joe Rozynski with 34 points. The next stop on the Formula USA National Thunderbike Series is June 18-20 at New Hampshire International Raceway in Loudon, N.H.
The Formula USA Thunderbike series is a horsepower-to-weight ratio restricted class, open to a variety of production-based motorcycles. Buell-mounted riders competing in the eight-event 2004 Thunderbike series are racing for a share of the $70,500 contingency fund posted by Buell Motorcycle Company and Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG).
ART OF HARLEYS– The 8th Art of Harleys event was a great success again this year.
We all have known that Harley?s have been an Art Form ever since the first one was modified to fit its owner?s preference. Through the years they have gone through many changes. More and more people are starting to realize that also.
One organization is the Brevard Cultural Alliance of Florida. Some time ago they realized that some of the Custom Motorcycles in fact had the same things done to them as other art forms they were promoting. Completed motorcycles were an art form that included design and engineering. The use of metal work, sculpture, painting, and all the other things that go into creating a custom are in fact art.
The event this year was held at Wickham Park in Melbourne Florida and will benefit youth at risk programs in the area. It is a family event with some thing for all ages. Besides the Bike Show there was food, music, vendors, raffles, games and other forms of art displayed.
Lynne Brezina who works for the Alliance contacted me to help out on the Bike Show some months ago. We modified the classes and forms were made for the judges to give an even vote to all in each category. The Judges were all Bikers from the area.
The voting was close. I had to really look at a few to decide a point or two differences. I did also get to see some people that I had not for awhile and spend time with or talk to them which I always enjoy.
I hope all of you had as good a time as I did this Memorial Day weekend.
–Rogue
12 OUTLAWS CONVICTED–Outlaws trial ends with 12 convicted; most found guilty of racketeering.
After a two-month trial filled with testimony about murders and drug dealing, a federal jury found 10 members of the Outlaws motorcycle club – including its former international president – guilty of racketeering yesterday in U.S. District Court in Toledo.
The jury, which deliberated for about four days, also found 12 of the 14 defendants guilty of conspiracy to participate in racketeering through their involvement in the infamous motorcycle club.
–By DALE EMCHBLADE STAFF WRITER, Argus Leader
DON’T MESS WITH PIZZA MAN– A pizza deliveryman won’t face charges for fatally shooting a would-be robber several times when he was approached in a high-crime area, but his employer, Pizza Hut, has fired him for violating a company policy against carrying firearms.
Ronald B. Honeycutt, 38, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, says he’s been delivering pizzas for 20 years and has always packed heat on the job.
According to a report in the Indianapolis Star, prosecutors announced Friday the Carmel, Ind., man will not face criminal charges.
“It’s a clear case of self-defense,” Deputy Prosecutor Barb Crawford said. “He did what the law allows him to do to protect himself.”
Jerome Brown-Dancler approached Honeycutt at around 11 p.m. on May 17 just after he had made a pizza delivery in Indianapolis. According to the report, Brown-Dancler pointed a 9 mm handgun at the Pizza Hut employee as he was entering his van.
Brown-Dancler’s gun carried a loaded 14-round clip but had no bullet in the chamber, Crawford told the Star. When confronted, Honeycutt pulled his own 9 mm from the back of his pants and fired until it was empty. He says he fired 15 times in about eight seconds. An autopsy revealed Brown-Dancler was hit at least 10 times.
–WorldNetDaily.COM
–from Rogue
BIKERNET STAFF TAKES FISHING TRIP–Two Cajun commercial fishermen, Boudreaux & Thibodeaux went out inthe Gulf of Mexico fishing. They were gone a couple of months.
On theirreturn, they noticed a Taco Bell had been built while they were away.
Boudreaux turns to Thibodeaux and says, “Look at dat, we not goneno time and dem Mexicans done come over here & built a telephone company!”
–from S&C
PRISON POPULATION GROWING–America?s inmate population grew by 2.9 percent last year, to almost 2.1 million people, with one of every 75 men living in prison or jail.
The inmate population continued its rise despite a fall in the crime rate and many states efforts to reduce some sentences, especially for low level drug offenders.
The report issued by the Justice Department?s Bureau of Justice Statistics attributes much of the increase to get tough policies enacted during the 1980s and 90s, such as mandatory drug sentences, ?three-strikes-and-you?re out? laws, and ?truth-in-sentencing? laws that restrict early releases.
I have said for a long time that there is Big Money being made by the Penal System and Those Involved In It.
–from Rogue
TAKE A BREAK–Here’s the front end for Bandit’s Ultimate Chopper Project. It’s a tapered leg Paughco Springer that 9 inches over stock. This springer has hollow legs and a more classic design. It’s lighter and came black powdercoated. Paughco recommendes that you spray the powder coated unit with a Pledge like product to protect the finish. I’ve been preaching to use Pledge for years. It has no abrasives, creeps into hard to reach areas and is slick as snot. Very protective for paint and chrome.
I’ve got to hit the showers and roll into West Hollywood for the 2005 Victory Motorcycle Launch. Next week H-D is introducing their new model line-up. I’ll pray for open carpool lanes during rush hour traffic and an open bar once I get there.
Damn, another weekend is almost upon us. It’s almost party time, again. I need to hammer at the Keyboard. We have writing assignments hanging over us. Hang on Bikernet will pop with new material over the next couple of days.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
