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MIKE ROMINE IS AWARDED TOP HONORS
IN SCREAMIN' EAGLE NITRO HARLEY NHRA EXHIBITION SERIES

WINSTON-SALEM, NC, December 12, 2005 - Mike Romine of Sturgis, MI, has a pair of championships to celebrate as a result of the 2005 points standings. Not only was he the winner in the AHDRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley points chase, but he has also been awarded the championship title in the NHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley Exhibition Series.

The Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harleys participated in three NHRA events during the 2005 season. Participants were chosen according to their standings in the AHDRA points series. Although the field was deemed "exhibition," the participants were awarded cash prizes and points that were calculated in accordance with the AHDRA points system.

"Screamin' Eagle is proud to showcase the AHDRA's Nitro Harley teams to the fans of NHRA. The AHDRA teams put on a fantastic show and we're proud of their efforts," said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso.

The first appearance for the Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harleys was at the Summit Racing.com Nationals in Las Vegas, NV. Romine was the #2 qualifier and advanced to the semis before being defeated by Greg Grove (then riding for Ray Price H-D). Grove qualified third, advanced to the finals, and had the performance advantage, but a red light resulted in the automatic win for Canadian Ron Houniet, who was qualified at #4.

At the O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN, Romine qualified fifth. In the opening round of eliminations he was paired with the #4 qualifier, Doug Vancil of Albuquerque, NM. Both had good runs. Romine was the obvious winner, but an object flying into a timing sensor left him with no clocked time. After review, he was awarded the round.

In the semis, he went on to advance over the #1 qualifier, Mike Lehman (W. Palm Beach, FL), but was reported to have big engine problems following that round.

Taking his chances with the injured bike, Romine came to the line against Larry "Drums" Brancaccio (#3 qualifier) of Nutley, NJ, in the finals and with nearly identical reaction times. Both left the line and both encountered mechanical trouble, but Romine's engine held out longer for the win light.

In the final appearance of three, the Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harleys headed to Joliet, IL, for the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals.

Romine qualified #3 at the event and advanced to the semis before Tommy Grimes (#2 qualifier) of Pfafftown, NC, took him out with a 6.290 at 222.51 mph. Grimes—the current rider for Ray Price H-D and Samson Exhaust—had a stellar day that included an earlier pass of 6.256 at 220.62 mph for an E.T. record.


Mike and Patti Romine
Tommy Grimes



Mike Romine
Doug Vancil

He went on to win the event in a close match with #1 qualifier Doug Vancil in the final. Vancil came up short with a 6.393 at 203.58 mph to a 6.336 at 220.04 mph from Grimes.

While Mike Romine and the H-D of Salt Lake City race team captured both championship titles, Doug Vancil and the Vance & Hines/Drag Specialties team finished second in both series.

For more information on the 2006 Screamin Eagle Performance Parts Championship Points Series, please contact 336-924-2095 or visit www.ahdra.com.

Photo courtesies - dragbikephotos.com and Claude McKee