Father and son duel at TMP

From Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada

CONCORD, ON – The opening round of the Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada-sponsored V-Rod Destroyer Series got off to a promising start for the May 21 test runs at Cayuga Dragway, Toronto Motorsports Park.

Saturday’s weather was perfect with sunny skies and fresh, clean air to blow the winter cobwebs from the V-Rod Destroyer motorcycles. In the first run of the day, the long anticipated showdown between father and son set the mood for the rest of the day. Dan Thomson, son of current champion, Pete Thomson, took his first trip down Toronto Motorsports Park's drag strip aboard his new V-Rod Destroyer motorcycle, facing off against his father. To no one’s surprise, the younger Thomson lived up to all of the expectations, running a quarter-mile at 9.833 and a top speed of 137.50. Just ahead of him was the elder Thomson, setting the bar at 9.558 and a top speed of 143.17.

Up-and-coming rider Mitch McCallum, riding for MotoSport Plus of Kingston, ON, then had to contend with Jeff Pitre, who travelled all the way from Yellowknife, NWT, to take part in the Eastern Series opener. McCallum bested Pitre mid-race and pulled out a solid quarter-mile at 9.606, while Pitre settled for a 10.846.

Next up was Paul Guerrieri, who red-lighted with enthusiasm, giving the win to newcomer Ray Philp.

On Saturday’s next round, Rocky’s Harley-Davidson-sponsored Pete Thomson opted out of running to help Dan get in another pass. First up, however, was Pido Production Ltd. and Harleys Hardrock Saloon sponsored-Pitre against Ottawa’s McCallum. McCallum eked out a narrow margin of victory at 9.508 against Pitre’s 9.551.

Thunder Road Harley-Davidson racer Guerrieri then challenged young Dan Thomson at the line where Thomson showed his grit and consistency, pulling the quarter-mile at 9.941 and a top speed of 143.58. Philp then made a lone run edging close to breaking into the nines with a creditable 10.192.

After a long wait and in what may have turned out to be the first qualifier, the V-Rod Destroyer teams fiddled with set-ups while long delays at the track let the weather conspire against them as things started to cool rapidly. The next set of match-ups saw Thomson vs. Thomson. Dan showed his youth with a better reaction time, but when the white light flashed at the finish line it was in the opposite lane as Pete shot through the quarter-mile with an impressive 9.428 and a top speed of 140.27. Dan was right on his back, his front wheel crossing the line at 9.559.

Pitre then battled Philp, finishing ahead of the rookie who again flirted with breaking into the nines. Guerrieri continued to improve, this time chasing McCallum to the line with a 10.095, just behind McCallum’s 9.490 and a top speed of 140.14 in what would be his best-timed run of the weekend (because of a tree malfunction).

As conditions continued to deteriorate and with a cold mist in the air, the riders lined up for what would become their last runs of the weekend. Once again, Philp faced off against Pitre, and with both bikes desperately looking for traction, it was Pitre at the line with a 10.133 and a top speed of 139.79 against Philp’s 12.053 and a top speed of 125.89.

McCallum and Guerrieri faced off again, this time with both riders getting off to great starts and crossing the line in tandem in what could probably have been a personal best for both. Unfortunately, the problematic tree flickered and timing failed to register a run for either rider. Again, the Thomsons faced off for Saturday evening’s final run, and once again the younger Thomson had a brilliant reaction time at 0.002, but crossed the line at 10.274, battling a sliding rear all the way. Undaunted, Pete Thomson hung on for an impressive 9.455 and a top speed of 138.86.

Sunday morning woke up to slate grey skies and constant rain. The V-Rod Destroyer teams, although enthusiastic, were forced to pack up and head home when the remainder of the events were cancelled.

The next stop for the V-Rod Destroyer motorcycles will be on June 18-19 at Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, ON.