Red hot Thomson wins again

From Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada

GRAND BEND, ON – The Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada-sponsored V-Rod Destroyer Drag Race class made a guest appearance at the IHRA Mopar Nationals for round three of the Eastern Series Drag Race season, and although this is primarily a car series, the V-Rod Destroyer motorcycles were a popular attraction for fans, young and old alike.

In Saturday's qualifying sessions, Rocky's Harley-Davidson-sponsored Pete Thomson continued to have a stranglehold on the series, besting the field with an impressive best low ET of 9.517 and a top speed of 141.47 mph. However, Thomson had company at the top of the ladder, with Chris Fox of Fox Harley-Davidson/Buell in Owen Sound, ON. Motosport Plus of Kingston rider, Mitch McCallum struggled early on but looked to challenge later, posting an ET of 9.599 and a top speed at 138.46 mph. Paul Guerrieri, sporting a unique pair of new riding boots, enjoyed a great qualifying day with consistent runs in the 9.7 range.

In Sunday's first elimination round, top qualifier Thomson, had a bye run but, instead of taking an easy one, Thomson threw down the gauntlet, besting his qualifying time by 0.013 of a second for an ET of 9.504.

"I probably could have done better but the air is really thick right now and I think that was all I could get out of the motor," commented Thomson.

Next up it was McCallum against Guerrieri. In a surprise upset, the surging Thunder Road Harley-Davidson-mounted Guerrieri defeated McCallum to earn a chance to enter the final. Fox then sent Ray Philp to the sidelines with a good run at 9.623 seconds and a top speed of 134.75 mph, despite having to wrestle the big V‑Rod motorcycle most of the way down the track.

With Fox earning a bye in the semi-finals, Guerrieri had his chance and lined up beside Thomson. Thomson left nothing to chance and unleashed a great pass at 9.460 and a top speed of 138.30 mph. Despite a poor jump at the line, Guerrieri made it close at the finish line with a top speed of 136.88 mph.

The final challenge of the day turned into a marathon wait as the IHRA ran every class to the finals before the V-Rod motorcycles could take the track for their final. An overheated and tired pair of riders lined up at the tree with current champ, Thomson getting lane choice against Fox. As the tree finally counted down, Thomson had a marginally better jump and that was enough of an advantage to set off the white light at the finish line in his lane. Thomson's last run netted him an ET of 9.500 and a top speed of 139.21 mph. Fox gave it his all and actually shot over the finish line with the best top speed of the weekend at 143.02 mph.

With the win, Thomson now enjoys a healthy lead in the Eastern V-Rod Destroyer series.

Fox remained positive after the final, saying, "I don't mind losing that way. I did all I could do and I left nothing out there."

The next stop for the eastern V-Rod Destroyer motorcycle racers will be July 30-31 at the Napierville Dragway in Napierville, QC.

For further information on Canadian Drag Racing, please refer to www.cmdra.com.