CANADIAN MOTORCYCLE DRAG RACE ASSOCIATION – EASTERN SERIES ROUND FIVE

From Deeley Harley-Davidson

CAYUGA, Ontario (August 12, 2011) – Toronto Motorsports Park

The final event of the Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada-sponsored V-Rod^® Destroyer^TM Eastern Series rolled out under difficult Ontario conditions. Early on, one of the hottest competitors in the battle was eliminated from competition before the racing even started. Chris Fox, of Fox Harley-Davidson®/BuellTM, who has been setting a blistering pace of late, suffered another catastrophic setback when his motor expired during a Friday testing session. A disappointed Fox was relegated to spectator status for the weekend event.

During Saturday’s qualifications, weather conditions limited the amount of track time the riders would get, and set-up time was at a premium. Best prepared for the conditions was points leader, Pete Thomson, riding for Rocky’s Harley-Davidson®.

Despite the conditions, Thomson continued to roll along, and he earned the top spot in qualifications with a very capable run of 9.591. Next fastest was MotoSport Plus of Kingston rider, Mitch McCallum, who has struggled as of late, but seemed to show more consistency with a very good run of 9.672 and a top speed of 136 mph to earn the second spot in qualifications. Thunder Road Harley-Davidson®-sponsored Paul Guerrieri has shown the biggest improvement of the season, and he continues his move up the V-Rod^® Destroyer^TM ranks with very good passes. In Saturday’s qualifier, Guerrieri did it again with a 9.727 and a top speed of 135.06 mph. Ray Philp continues his battle to break out of the tens and posted a 10.246.

The skies opened up on Saturday night, changing the landscape of the entire event for Sunday’s final. With humidity in the 80 percent range, water was literally sweating up out of the tarmac, and organizers decided to make the finals into an eighth mile contest.

First up in eliminations was Guerrieri, pitted against McCallum. Guerrieri had the better lane and it worked to his advantage. Although McCallum was a little quicker off the line, he struggled with traction and could not catch Guerrieri at the finish line, ending his challenge. Guerrieri had the quickest time of the first round of eliminations with a 6.130, earning himself his first opportunity for a final round challenge.

Next up was Thomson, pitted against Ray Philp. Thomson made no mistakes, but Philp kept him honest right to the line. Thomson completed the eighth with a time of 6.085, but Philp also had a good run with a 6.415.

In the final, Guerrieri had the better start, but Thomson got a good drive in his lane, ensuring his win and the Eastern Series Championship. Just to show that there are no losers in V-Rod^® Destroyer^TM racing Paul Guerrieri was thrilled with his opportunity to race in the final and commented, “I have to thank Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada, Alex and Peggy for a great Destroyer^TM Series, and especially my sponsor, Thunder Road Harley-Davidson®. Many thanks also to my crew chief, Dave Hodare, who made sure that my bike, as well as myself, were always ready to go and in top racing form.” Relieved with the win and another championship season, Thomson commented, “It was a tough weekend, and I know the motor is getting a little tired, but we managed to pull it out. It feels good to get the win and [the] championship.”

The final event of the CMDRA V-Rod^® Destroyer^TM Series will be at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, on September 10 and 11.