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GAINESVILLE, FL, February 29, 2008 - After fine tuning, rebuilding, waiting for parts, chasing sponsors and all the other prep work that goes on during the brief break from racing each year, the countdown has ended, the wait is over, it's time to go racing!
AHDRA is set to go for the opening round of the 2008 series at the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Bike Week Nationals presented by Gainesville Harley-Davidson at Gainesville Raceway.
After unexpected cold temperatures greeted the early birds at the raceway, mother nature has now turned things around and the skies are full of sunshine and the thermometer is expected to reach the mid-70's today and the rest of the weekend here in Gainesville, FL.
Temperatures were so unseasonably cold here yesterday that racers Dana Housaman and Kelley Smith, who traveled from a wintery Wisconsin arrived with their truck still blanketed with snow that would later provide some winter fun in the pits - complete with a snowman to greet folks and later a good old fashioned snow ball fight. In Florida?
While racers are still flowing in the gates today and setting up for today's opening qualifying round at 4:00pm, we caught up with a few familiar faces in the pits preparing for today's action.
Notably pulling through the gate early after off-season reports questioning his return, was defending Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel Champion, Doug Vancil. The Vancil team hasn't missed an AHDRA point's race in 5 years, but after learning they would be minus the support from one of their primary sponsors, (Drag Specialties) the champ had doubts about his plans to compete here in Gainesville. Still carrying the Vance & Hines banner however, the team worked things out, at least for now, and made their way here from New Mexico.
The Vancil's plan to continue competing in 2008, although they indicated that they may scale things back when it comes to traveling in the big rig they have been driving for many years and opt for a more economical transport with the escalating fuel costs.
Campaigning four bikes with three riders for the 2008 season is Mike Bahnmaier's -Mid Continent Racing team. The roster includes Tommy Grimes who climbed aboard Bahnmaier's Top Fuel bike late in the 07 season and it appears that the North Carolina rider is set for a full season on the team for 2008.
After a break from actually riding and instead putting time in as a crewmember, Chuck Jones returns to riding in the Pro Drag category and will ride for Mid-Continent Racing. Jones from St. Pete, FL is a proven performer with plenty of wins on his resume.
Rider No. 3 AND No. 4 in the Mid Continent camp is Rick Moore! The Pro Drag champion returns to defend his title on the Pro Dragster and we'll see him on a Mid-Continent Pro Fuel bike as well. Moore won't stop with the two bikes he'll be riding for Mid-Continent, this 98-pound jockey will also be back on his Pro Gas ride for Banky Racing too. Moore made his way to finals in both the Pro Drag and Pro Gas categories at last year's opener here in Gainesville and he will start the season with plenty of seat time competing in three categories to lead off a brand new season today!
S & S Pro Stock Champion, Junior Pippin set a string of records here in Gainesville last year on his way to the event win and eventual championship title. Pippin plans to campaign an NHRA Pro Stock bike for the 2008 season, with a few appearances on the AHDRA circuit. He makes his season debut this weekend, defending his 07 win and getting some test time in for the NHRA debut here in 2 weeks.
Pippin was visibly excited about his plans for the 08 season when we caught up with him in the pits.
The multi-time champ from Conyers, GA says he has been dieting and fitness training to prepare for this year's competition. His choice of exercise is a stationery bike. "I've ridden that bike 4000 miles and never left my living room", a humorous Pippin commented.
Pippin will also unload his Pro Gas bike from the trailer and put it on the track here this weekend. He finished 3rd in the Pro Gas standings in 2008.
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