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TAK SHIGEMATSU LANDS FIRST EVER JIMS TOP FUEL WIN AND MULTIPLE RECORDS SET A SCREAMIN' EAGLE PERFORMANCE PARTS RACE OF CHAMPIONS!

Maple Grove, P.A., May 21, 2002 - The AHDRA completed a weekend of racing at Maple Grove Raceway on Sunday, May 19th with a first ever win for Tak Shigematsu of Japan, and a score of new national records.

The Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Race of Champions got underway Saturday after a rain delay cut qualifying down to two rounds. The low 50-degree temps held off spectators but heated up the competition as track conditions and good air provided the quickest numbers on record in several classes throughout the weekend.

The competition was fierce in the JIMS Top Fuel field, and it was Orangeburg, South Carolina's Bill Furr and Japan's Tak Shigematsu of Japan making the final round appearance. Shigematsu started off the day in the #1 qualifying spot and opened up eliminations with a 6.556 at 203.95 miles per hour, the quickest and fastest pass of his life. Both riders were consistent in the 6's in the following rounds, and it was Shigematsu coming out on top with a quicker light in a battle to the finish.

Seasoned rider, Furr says the track surface was good. "We had great air. "I'll take the runner-up and congratulate Tak on his win." At the top end, preparing the bike to tow back, Shigematsu learned of his victory and raised his arms in celebration. Turning to Furr, he said, "I can't even believe I got to race my hero in the final. To win, this is great."

The record books were changing after every pass in the Joker Machine Pro Modified class. Leading off the record-breaking day was an 8.470 out of Tulsa Oklahoma's, John Hammock. The celebration was short when fellow rider; Mike Lozano of San Antonio, TX blistered the record with an 8.375 at 155.63 miles per hour. The seesaw of records continued through out the weekend, but it was Lozano finishing with a solid new national record of 8.254. Hammock and Lozano provided one of the many side by side finishes of the day, when Hammock cut a near perfect .412 light to Lozano's .487, but Lozano caught him, finishing with a 8.307 to Hammock's 8.384.

Tom Bradford's Thunder Eagle Racing team threw twice the celebration in the winner's circle after accomplishing the "quazi", four in a row Pro Stock win and a new 7.475 national record in a nail biting finish against tough contender, Dirk Higgins. Higgins and the Jon Miller/Thiel's Wheels team had the early advantage with a .413 tree, but a determined Bradford made the difference with the quickest Pro Stock pass ever in AHDRA competition.

The Spyke Street Pro class had impressive entries on the roster, but it was no secret the eyes were on rival competitors, Travis Lummus the reigning champion and Florida's, Doug Morrow of Carl's Speed Shop. Both led off qualifying off the pace, but by the final qualifying round Lummus came out with force, firing off a 9.405 national record pass taking the number one spot and Morrow coming in with a 9.760 for the #2 spot. Lummus backed up the record pass in round two of elimination's with a 9.439 and Morrow answered with a 9.483 sending the pair to the final round battle. Proving they were both worthy of the 9.40 marks, it was a mind game at the tree that determined the outcome when Lummus jumped early for the red light, and Morrow finished with a 9.495 at 141.45 miles per hour. Lummus said he knew it didn't feel right after he rolled into the beam further than usual. "I messed up the routine right off the bat and screwed up my timing." Both teams came away with their own bragging rights, Morrow with the event win and Lummus with 3 national records.

Over 225 competitors entered the competition at Maple Grove Raceway including the largest field ever in the Screamin' Eagle 11.50 index class.

For more on the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Race of Champions, log on to www.ahdra.com.