Copyright 2008 Simon’s Competition, Inc.
Simons Competition
100 Central Ave.
Fairless Hills, Pa.
19056 U.S.A.
Phone
215-269-5010
Fax
215-269-5011
April 21, 2008
Re: 2008 AHDRA GYPSY Rendezvous Nationals @ Gateway International Raceway, Madison, IL.
The 2008 AHDRA National Tour made its 3rd stop of the year in earthquake ridden area of IL. at the Gypsy Rendezvous Nationals.
STREET-PRO; Andy Simon qualified #1 with a 8.91 ET @ 153.33 MPH to claim the #1 qualifier position. While Andy was continuing to get faster and faster by each round, he was also starting to get the new clutch combination figured out. Andy took the win light in the semi-final round to advance to the finals, but as he was going through the traps at over 150 MPH, the pinion shaft on the crank snapped off. As a result of the broken pinion shaft, Andy was forced to report in broke for the final to claim the runner-up spot at Gateway.
HOT-STREET; Charlie Cannon was running consistent 10.0 second passes while getting his hot rod tuned in. Charlie qualified in the #3 spot in a tough field of bikes. However, throughout the race weekend, the motor just did not seem to have the power that it should, as his bike has run consistent 9.8 second passes before. After each pass, the crew noticed oil down the one side of his bike, this was the result of the rings loosing seal and blowing oil by the rings and into the combustion chamber. Needless to say, he lost a lot of power. Even with the ring seal problem, Charlie managed to advance all the way to the semi-final round running consistent 10.0 second passes. As this was being written, Charlie’s bike was on its way to Simon’s to have the top end gone back over, stay tuned...
SUPER-SPORT; WOW! In one of the weekends biggest surprises, Rookie Joey Thomson WINS in only his 3rd ever race! Joey qualified in the #6 spot and worked his way through the big field of bikes in one of the toughest classes on the tour. Hats off to Joey and Sharon on their big win at Gateway! Dan Hope on his 9 second Heritage Springer de-tuned his hot rod and took the #1 qualifier spot, however he had a problem after advancing though to the 1/4 finals. Danny Boyer, the man who has been so good on the lights qualifies # 8, and Gary DeGrange qualifies # 18 while going just way too fast and breaking out trying to slow the bike down to run within the index.
SUPER ELIMINATOR; AHDRA Hot Shoe Danny Boyer qualifies #4 and runs just a little too fast before getting to the 1/4 finals. Joey Thomson qualifies #13 and advances all the way to the 1/4 finals where he runs just a little too fast and breaks out. Like Super-Sport, this class is ultra competitive.
SYN3 ET; Bill Rowe Jr WINS in the ultra competitive ET class where there can be over 50 bikes at any given race. Winning this class is no easy task. Congratulations to Bill Rowe Jr on his win at Gateway.
RACE NOTES...
Dan Hope, rider of the famous 9 second street legal Heritage Springer qualified # 1 in the Super-Sport class, while his son, Dave Hope qualified # 1 in the Pro-Gas class. Congratulations on the father / son duo on their # 1 qualifiers. Both were able to participate in rider introductions at the pre-race opening ceremonies.
Top Fuel rider Steve Simmons, who rides the famous Ray Price Harley-Davidson Top Fuel bike took a wild ride during eliminations and had to be taken to the hospital. We wish Steve a full and speedy recovery.
The next race on the 2008 AHDRA National Tour is the AHDRA Lonestar Nationals presented by Kresto in Ennis, TX., just outside of Dallas. The Lonestar Nationals takes place on May 3-4. Preparations are already underway for the upcoming event at Gateway with several race bikes coming back to the shop here in Pennsylvania.
A special thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters… Lucas Oil Products, Wimmer Custom Cycle, H-D of Bloomington Indiana, Horne Concrete, Works Shocks, and the staff and crew at Simon’s Competition.
Keep up on all the latest racing news from the shop at www.simonscompetition.com
Simon Says… Don’t Let the Competition Leave You Behind!
2008 Results Archive
Feb 29—March 1-2, 2008 Gainseville Raceway / Gainesville, FL. (CLICK HERE)
March 29-30, 2008 Speedworld Dragstrip / Whittman, AZ. (CLICK HERE)
April 19-20, 2008 Gateway International Raceway / Madison, IL.
May 3-4, 2008 Texas Motorplex / Ennis, TX.
May 24-25, 2008 Atlanta Dragway / Commerce, GA.
June 14-15, 2008 Summit Motorsports Park / Norwalk, OH.
June 28-29, 2008 Cecil County Dragway / Rising Sun, MD.
August 9-10, 2008 Bristol Dragway / Bristol, TN.
August 23-24, 2008 Woodburn Dragstrip / Woodburn, OR.
September 20-21, 2008 Virginia Motorsports Park / Dinwiddie, VA.
October 10-12, 2008 Rockingham Dragway / Rockingham, NC.
S&S Super-Sport Winner
Joey Thomson
SYN3 ET Winner
Bill Rowe Jr.