|
|
Date: 31st January 2000
Headline: The comeback king comes back....
Honda CBX Funnybike rider Barry `Baz' Eastman, the man with more comebacks than Frank Sinatra (and probably more friends in the Middx Mafia) is looking good for his return to competition this season. Despite rumours that the ACU want to see one of his birth certificates before he can compete, Baz is just about ready with his 6 cylinder Honda CBX powered Funnybike sporting an all new integrated ignition / fuel injection system. Baz claims it sounds fantastic, although anything that drowns out the noise of your kids must sound good too....
Date: 31st January 2000
Headline: Elimination ladder for Calder Park
CALDER PARK RACEWAY TOP FUEL ROUND 1 # Rider Reaction E.T. MPH 21 JOHN MANCUSO 0.512 7.084 196.24 516 STEVE LITTLE 0.476 7.81 165.68
45 WARREN HILL 0.5 7.4 184.31 873 IAN ASHELFORD 0.49 7.706 144.92
2795 JIM MCCLURE 0.593 8.993 109.43 SINGLE 3 TON PELS 0.617 7.391 157.61 2845 KIM LEONARD 0.873 9.121 98.29
4 ANDERS KARLING 0.577 7.748 125.9 1651 BRETT JONAS 0.65 15.192
6 STEVE MOORE 0.544 7.33 170.22 1 BILL FURR 0.541 9.409 91.52
13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 0.478 6.947 202.74 7 MARK CONNER 0.489 8.521 105.55
3841 KEN KENT 0.475 7.592 181.01 649 BRETT STEVENS 0.492 7.742 148.63 ROUND 2 21 JOHN MANCUSO 0.494 6.915 202.2 45 WARREN HILL 0.555 8.021 149.37
2795 JIM MCCLURE 0.484 6.899 201.38 3 TON PELS 0.547 7.656 180.9
6 STEVE MOORE 0.493 7.181 183 4 ANDERS KARLING 0.586 11.229 71.22
13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 0.51 6.97 200.4 3841 KEN KENT 0.497 7.41 188.71 ROUND 3 2795 JIM MCCLURE 0.446 7.474 167.81 21 JOHN MANCUSO 0.493 9.852 100.4
6 STEVE MOORE 0.481 7.86 179.89 13 ROB VAN GEFFEN 0.863 14.998 48.79 FINALS 2795 JIM MCCLURE 0.511 7.215 196.07 6 STEVE MOORE 0.495 7.347 188.04 WINNER - JIM MCCLURE
Date: 31st January 2000
Headline: Karling press release
The dearth of information from the ADBA World Championship first round in Australia has been most disappointing. However, we have just received a press release from Charlie Karling who told us that he qualified #2 behind John Mancuso from Texas US. The bad news is that Charlie overpowered the track and went up in smoke in the second round of eliminations. The series continues at Willowbank Raceway, Brisbane on the fifth of February.
Date: 30th January 2000
Headline: More ADBA World Championship news
News courtesy of Ben Beneke: -Quoted Peter Salmon at the ADBA Nitro World Series "It's some tough racing. But there are no big numbers. The Europeans have been running some 6.9's and 200 mph. I think the cold air has knocked everyone. Unfortunately, the crowd was pretty poor. It just hasn't worked. The weather's got us." When we talked to Salmon, they were in elimination rounds. In qualifying, one bike went down, one of the Australians, and he had to be air lifted out. Salmon said, "We didn't even have opening ceremonies. There's a curfew here. So when it's that time, you're done. So we went right into it. Buford's out there hammering them through." In spite of the dismal sensations mid-round two, Salmon noted, "All of the racers have had a ball. Besides the Top Fuelers, other classes have been pretty competitive. The street bikes,too." At the moment, it was threatening to rain and very cold. We'll ring back in two hours to check out the results.
First round eliminated: Brett Stevens, Bill Furr, Mark Conner, Brett Jonas, Kim Leonard, Greg Matthews, Ian Ashleford, Steve Littleford. One last note from Salmon. "Furr had the ride of the night! When he launched, his left hand handlebar broke off, he kept going, hit the shift button, and rode the pass out with one hand to a seven something pass."
Date: 29th January 2000
Headline: McClure wins
News from Calder Park Raceway reaches us from Angelo Ganitis and courtesy of Ben Beneke and Dragbike.com discussion forums: - Jim McClure won the first round of the ADBA World Championship in Melbourne today. Riding an Australian bike owned by the Excessive Force team, he faced Mancuso in the final. Both riders were on and off the throttle as they smoked the tyres and posted mid seven passes despite running high sixes in preceding rounds. Ton Pels apparently made the semi's until overpowering the track to lose out on a final position.
Date: 28th January 2000
Headline: Rumble down under.....
News reaches us of Ton Pels first shake down pass at Calder Park Raceway in the Easyriders World Finals that saw a respectable 7.26 @ 196 posted.
Date: 28th January 2000
Headline: Prostar makes exception.....
Keith `Scooter' Kizer, President of Prostar, has just written to all past participants from outside of the US to inform them that from now on, entry to events will be free for all non US riders, and will also include two free crew tickets. This will save foreign entrants at least $209 compared to last season. In addition, the Prostar competition membership fee has also been reduced for foreigners based outside of the US. Benefits are copies of Motorcycle Performance magazine (incorporating the Prostar report), rule book etc. and will now cost $50, a saving of $60. Those wishing to join and receive Motorcycle Performance magazine etc. can do it by e mailing: info@amaprostar.com.
Date: 27th January 2000
Headline: Just don't mention it
Ex Fuel Twin pilot and crew chief of reknown Karl Thiecke from Holland has confirmed the sad news that Willem Been has been refused entry to race in Australia for disclosing membership of a motorcycle club, but that he wisely did not disclose membership of that shady organisation, SPRC.
Date: 26th January 2000
Headline: Piggies in Space!
Our ageing lothario reporter in Cape Kings Lynn, Chris Tumbledsome, has informed us that one of his cousins, Nick (call me Space Cadet) Pepper, has accepted the ride of his life. Apart from that offer from another of Christophers cousins, Nicks wife Sandra, Drag Racings Visionary Leader of the 70's, Tony Huck has acquired an all new Rocket Bicycle and wants the Space Cadet to pilot it at the epicentre of Drag Racing in the UK, North Weald. Resplendant with wheeliebars and parachutes, Nick is sure to be a big attraction. No stranger to speed (or strange rides), he will be launched from a sophisticated gantry (fabricated in Maitland Racings own high tech raceshop in London) from the startline. Expectation is hyperspace within 5 seconds, but tyres and stability could be a limiting factor. Chris has graciously sponsored the efforts of the team by donating four stabilisers from young lothario Jack Tumbledsomes bicycle. Good luck from all Nick, it sounds right up your street. Just don't ask to borrow any of our tools.
Date: 24th January 2000
Headline: Straightliners - straight up!
Craig Mallabone reports that the Pirelli Streetfighters Straightliners Championship (phew!) awards presentation took place on Saturday. The PSSC is the latest in a line of streetbike based series, originally the working concept of Superbike magazine with the Ultimate Streetbike Series that spawned (?) many of todays (toads) top riders, and some others like yours truly. Ex - ACU Streetbike Champion Dean Williamson took the honours in Top Bike (heads up), Craig himself won the 9.90 class, Martin Greathead 10.90 and noisy Alan Tinnion (known as Alan Tinnitus to us four strokers) took the 11.90 class. Details of this years championship can be found at www.straightliners.co.uk
Date: 23rd January 2000
Headline: Cooper supports ankle biters.
In what we're all sure was an unrelated proposal to the one made last week by Treasurer Ken Cooper, he today proposed that a Junior Dragbike class be formed along the lines of the NSA rules for young riders i.e. for those at least twelve years old. Rumours that he will propose that class regulations will follow ProMod specifications in an attempt to add further members to the Promod riders association are as yet unconfirmed.
Date: 23rd January 2000
Headline: Cooper hits out at ankle biters
At last weeks APIRA riders meeting, Vice Chairman Ken Cooper asked that the track marshalls cracked down on the number of dustbin lids riding around on pushbikes unsupervised. The response from Terry Gibbs, Avon Park supervisor, was that it was `music to his ears' and thanked the assembled throng for supporting him in taking a firm stand for this season.
Date: 23rd January 2000
Headline: All run fields
At the same meeting, the chairman of the meeting, Ken Cooper and his right hand man (sic) Steve French expressed their displeasure at the reintroduction of all run fields for this years ACU Championship with the claim that `all riders were against it'. Although it's too late to revert to the old format for this season, the ACU Sub commitee will review the success (or otherwise) of this format and take a decision at next year's rule making forum.
Date: 23rd January 2000
Headline: Cooper proposes increase to entry fee (!)
At todays APIRA/SPRC riders and drivers meeting, that well known philanthropist and member of the massed ranks of the unemployed, Ken Cooper, proposed that despite an argument over entry fees that would have resulted in the status quo being maintained, that entry fees would increase to £55 for the coming season. Thanks Ken........
Date: 23rd January 2000
Headline: NHRA makes Top Fuel Bike announcement
The NHRA has confirmed that following the success of the four round exhibition series for Top Fuel bikes taht they will expand the series to seven events for the 2000 season. The Top Fuel bikes are scheduled to run at: - Gainesville Houston Englishtown Joliet Indianapolis Topeka Dallas With Tony Lang's retirement, Tommy Smith on the ex-Elmer Trett Mountain Magic takes his place. However, either Dan Butters of Canada or Germany's Norbert Kutzera also look set to make up a pool of five bikes for the exhibition series.
Date: 22nd January 2000
Headline: Tentative FIM European Championship dates for 2000
For the benefit of those wishing to organise their race season for 2000, I have listed the proposed dates and venues for this season : - 27-29 May - Santa Pod, England 9-11 June - Alastaro, Finland 15-16 July - Drachten, Holland 28-30 July - Mantorp Park, Sweden 4-6 August - Gardermoen, Norway 19-20 August - Hockenheim, Germany 8-10 September - Santa Pod, England
Date: 22nd January 2000
Headline: ACU Championship dates for 2000
Subsequent to the meeting last week with Terry Gibbs, Gossip can now confirm the dates for this years ACU Championship as follows: -
22-24 April - Santa Pod (includes Top Fuel Bike) 29 April - 1 May - Avon Park 27-29 May - Santa Pod (Superstreet only) 17-18 June - Avon Park (includes Top Fuel Bike) 1-2 July - Santa Pod (includes Top Fuel Bike) 29-30 July - Avon Park (includes Top Fuel Bike) 26-28 August - Avon Park 8-10 September - Santa Pod (Superstreet Bike only) 23-24 September - Avon Park 7-8 October - Santa Pod
Date: 22nd January 2000
Headline: Spiderman promotes Twins
The first rider to make a five second pass, Larry McBride, has been invited to travel with the ADBA team to make exhibition passes on his Puma engined machine and help promote the finals for the Twins only series. We can only hope that McBride, still smarting at his first round loss to the King Racing Yamaha that denied him a chance of the Prostar Championship at Gainesville in November, will prove an asset to the ADBA finals and pave the way for further Four Cylinder Fuel Bike participation within the ADBA in the future.
Date: 22nd January 2000
Headline: Still no Aussie entry for Been
Willem Been still has made no progress in his attempts to get permission to enter Australia for the ADBA World Finals. Dutch Hells Angel Been has been refused an entry visa along with two other riders from Canada. They had won an all expenses paid trip to Australia by virtue of finishing in the top three in their respective regions (Europe and Canada). Australian ADBA officials are still appealing against the decision, but time is fast running out.
Date: 21st January 2000
Headline: Steve Martin in Championship!
Steve Martin has announced plans to return for this seasons Superstreet class after taking a year out. It's not known if filming for `Father of the Bride 3' will affect the rounds at which he can attend.
Date: 21st January 2000
Headline: Steve Martin in Championship!
Date: 21st January 2000
Headline: ACU Champions Honoured
Last Saturday, the ACU British Champions were honoured by receiving their trophies and end of season prize money at the ACU Dinner. Despite the low profile of our Sport, this is one of the opportunities where dragracing is considered as equql amongst all other motorcycle disciplines. The British Champions in Road Racing, Motorcross, Trials, Sidecar Racing, Grass Track and others were also in attendance to receive their trophies.
Date: 18th January 2000
Headline: Tyne Blights best friend news
Dave `Ten Bellies' Brown reports that due to an extreme engine explosion at the end of last season that he is unlikely to be ready for the start of this one. Promoters at both main UK venues are known to be devastated by the news that their favourite rider will not be gracing their tracks by his presence for some time.
Date: 18th January 2000
Headline: King Racing fund manager news
Paul Knapp, collector of King Racing memorabilia and owner of both the ex - King Racing and M&B Racing Funnybikes, has radical new induction plans for the M&B machine for the coming season. With the assistance of K3S he is installing an intercooled blow through alcohol injected turbo system (a la Prostar champion Gary Clarke) to replace the ageing Hahn Racecraft draw through system currently used. However, he plans to continue developing the new fuel system developed by Dragbike Engineer and Deliverance star Dave Branch for the Ex King Racing machine.
Date: 17th January 2000
Headline: Proposed FIM Championship dates
The dates proposed for the FIM European Championship are as follows: -
29th May - Santa Pod, England 11th June - Alastaro, Finland 16th July - Drachten, Holland 30th July - Mantorp, Sweden 6th August - Gardermoen, Norway 20th August - Hockenheim, Germany 10th September, Santa Pod, England
These dates are subject to ratification by the FIM / UEM, but pencil them in your diaries in any case !
Date: 16th January 2000
Headline: Adrians Mum hits out
We've just received a statement from Ben Benekes mother stating that we have misrepresented her views on what to call him. She said that she NEVER calls him by the name she originally gave him (!) and insists that both she (and we) MUST call him Ben. However, she WOULD like us to pronounce the family name as we pointed out. We're happy to set the record straight and request all follow his mothers wishes by calling him by his pseudonym of Ben (at least his mother uses a name printable in this column - most of us at Gossip have mothers who call us less endearing names).
Date: 16th January 2000
Headline: You can call me Ben
Adrian Beneke has asked that we at Gossip refrain from calling him by his correct christian name, but use Ben instead. This is despite his mother, Sue, requesting quite the opposite and also asking us to pronounce his surname correctly (bennekker NOT beneekee). Well Adrian, I'm afraid your mothers bigger than me and so Adrian it remains.
Date: 16th January 2000
Headline: Bikes at the Park for 2000 !
At a meeting held today between Promoter Terry Gibbs, the APIRA and interseted motorcycle racers, a common understanding was brought to the fore resulting in an agreement by the Super Series Promoter to run rounds of ACU Championship motorcycles at all rounds during 2000. Discussions ranged from pitting arrangements, late entries, the use of pitbikes and many other topics. The basic conclusion of the discussions was that the APIRA and their associated staff would be tougher in implementing the rules alraedy in place. Failure to conform will mean exclusion from the meeting. Details of the calendar for next year and other detail from the meeting will follow.
Date: 15th January 2000
Headline: Dave's geared up
Our on the spot reporter tells us that Dave Beck made two runs in testing at Gainesville before his transmission failed. This gave the whole team an excuse to head back early to Clearwater for tomorrows Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.
Date: 14th January 2000
Headline: Adrian goes walkabout
It would appear through questions posted by stalwart Supertwin rider Adrian Beneke on the Dragbike.com message boards that he plans to race down under in the near future. Although he alluded to the possibility that it may be a permanent move that has not been confirmed. Rumours that his mother Sue plans to run the ADBA on his move are believed to be without substance....
Date: 13th January 2000
Headline: Latest from Emmerdale
Daisy the Fresian just mailed us to say that her partner Dave `Dingle' Beck just flew out today for a test session with the latest MRE bullet at Gainesville Raceway. Jay Reagan, the John Paul Getty Jnr of Clearwater, plans to take Dave to a American Football Game over the weekend too.
Date: 13th January 2000
Headline: Why not......
Our friend Peter Strom from Sweden posed an interesting question regarding how many English Top Fuel Bike riders would be competing in the FIM/UEM rounds outside of the UK this season. Well, we at Gossip would like to say that English riders are like fine wines and do not travel well, however, it's well known that Steve Woolatt gets a nose bleed if he travels anywhere outside of a 20 mile radius of Watford (and although Jack Straw's just relaxed the immigration law to account for Mike Tysons past, other countries are not so forgiving over Steves....) and there's not a long enough red carpet in Europe to stretch from BJ's front door to Dover. Chris Hampson hasn't enough money in his purse to buy Phil Baimbridge a new passport and Ian King's spending too much time polishing to go racing. Only Britains answer to the Everly brothers, Phil and Frank, are likely to go to Europe, as long as Adam doesn't realise they've still got his credit card....
Date: 11th January 2000
Headline: Godfather puts out contract
Subsequent to the sophisticated operation carried out by persons unknown to relieve Ton `Ashtray' Pels of some very valuable collectors pieces on display at his New Years Eve party, we understand that a substantial reward is on offer for apprehension of the culprits, either dead or alive. Rumours abound that a minor member of a high profile Top Fuel Bike team cracked under intense cross examination and turned supergrass. Dutch Police have turned their attentions momentarily away from the Gay Scene in Amsterdam to seek Mick `The Chief' Beaumont for a bodysearch.
Date: 10th January 2000
Headline: Avon Park peace talks draw near
Hopes are high that following the lead set by the parties signed up to the Good Friday agreement, Avon Park promoter and Bike racers can reach some form of `third way' in order that bikes can compete at this seasons rounds scheduled for Avon Park Raceway. It has been confirmed that the meeting will take place starting 10.00 am in the Aero Club at the airfield. Interested parties are urged to attend. Further details can be obtained from Wendy Talbot on 01986 788114.
Date: 10th January 2000
Headline: News from the Diplomatic Corps
Englands only female Prostock Bike rider, Ceri Visick, has announced plans to take a year out. Aware that to step up to the kind of performances necessary to maintain any position as a leading runner, Ceri and her dad Ross (crew chief and Avon Park goodwill ambassador) have decided to put their current machine up for sale and take a year out to accrue the necessary funds to acquire an all new state of the art machine. Any parties interested in her current Suzuki Stocker can e-mail her at cerivisick@yahoo.com
Date: 9th January 2000
Headline: Cooper gets the elbow
Promod rider Ken Cooper (known to his closest friends as Kenneth) plans to step up his performance for the coming season. Plans for modification to the clutch arms on his MTC Slider and surgery to remove weight from his elbow (built up during his career as the Junior Heston Services Tennis Challenge Champion) should release the potential his bike undoubtedly possesses. Plans are also afoot to challenge the dominance of the current Superstreet Champion Graham Dance (known better by his street name of `Donkey') by Team Cooperised.
Date: 9th January 2000
Headline: Mort's looking good (sic)
It seems that despite holding up Pete Davis and Frank Brachtvogel from finishing his bike, ex Funny bike and Prostock bike rider Jon Morton can no longer stretch the delay any further. According to `Honest Frank' Brachtvogel who is currently completing the all new Puma Top Fuel bike, Jon has been told that he must accept delivery of the bike no later than Easter this year. Despite concerns that the bike may need ballast to achieve the minimum weight, it's looking good for Jon's debut at the Easter meeting at Santa Pod, England.
Date: 8th January 2000
Headline: FIM European Championship latest
It seems possible that next year may see seven rounds of the FIM / UEM championship. Despite a poor turnout at Finland last year, there are still plans to repeat the round again this season. Along with rounds in Sweden, Norway, Germany, and two in England, we may also see the return of Drachten, Holland to the calendar for 2000.
Date: 8th January 2000
Headline: Junior fueller news
We've just been passed the happy news that the daughter of the late Elmer Trett, Gina, and her husband, multiple Prostar Top Fuel Bike champion Tony Lang, have had their first baby, born yesterday. All at King Racing extend congratulations to the couple and send advice that despite what you're told about having children, it's not as bad as said....... it's much, much worse.
Date: 5th January 2000
Headline: Freudian slip for Superstreet Champion
ACU licence holders who bothered to read the free magazine sent in the mail along with their renewal forms for 2000 were horrified when they saw that a Mr Donke had been credited with the title when in fact it is well recorded that another furry animal called Dance had won. Although it is a large faux pas on the part of the ACU, it is clear where the confusion between the two creatures may have arisen.
Date: 5th January 2000
Headline: Hope and glory
We've just discovered that due to an administration error by SPRC, Chris Hope was not credited with any points whilst competing at the ACU Championship round at Santa Pod in October. Recalculation of the positions taking these points into account has resulted in Chris's elevation into third position in the final standings at the expense of Richard Gipp who now drops to fourth. Congratulations are extended to Chris whilst commiserations are given to Richard who just misses out on the money and medal position.
Date: 5th January 2000
Headline: The artist formerly known as Pinnochio presents....
Pictures of current projects underway at the Race Visions workshops of frame guru James DiTullio (known as Puppet) have recently been published and include a stunning new Supercharged Suzuki for the master of big bore nitrous Ron Krol. Believed to be a departure from his `usual' back into the world of Nitric Acid fumes, Krols bike features a supercharger and chamber design behind the head (rather than as is the current convention with a reversed head) and will have exhausts exiting from the front and to the side. The Race Visions chassis is clothed in the usual Aluminium Art from Puppet masquerading as bodywork.
Date: 4th January 2000
Headline: Beaumont dodges work (again)
Crew Chief for the King Racing Top Fuel team, Michael Beaumont, has some explaining to do. Despite assuring the rest of his team that he was hard at work in his workshops in south London preparing the Top Fuel Puma for startling performances during 2000, it would appear that he was hard at work of another kind after letting slip that he and his wife of 60 years, Theresa (Madame to her friends) were expecting a happy event at the end of May. Despite Ian King believing this happy event to be a new (working) clutch, we have learnt that they are, in fact, expecting their first child. Best wishes are extended to the happy couple (except from Ian King who believes it to be a ruse for Mick to `swing the lead' even more than normal).
Date: 4th January 2000
Headline: Y2K causes Finger of Fudge problems in USA
Ian Rotten, correspondent from Mildenhall (oversexed and over here) sends in this report : Yank Britt Lynn is almost out of Cadburys Fudgies! The case Mr King was kind enough to bring will last only until winter is over. And hopefully that will be long enough for him to complete the `back halfing' of Chris Hands Redneck Express, adding two more inches of rubber, a stiffer chassis with removeable backbone, and all new aluminum bodywork, with the design help of fellow Brit Chris Hampson. Work should be completed by the end of January. Rumours that these three English born people (Hand, Lynn and Hampson) are also to audition for the reworking of the Marx Brothers classic The Three Stooges are thought to be unfounded.
Date: 4th January 2000
Headline: Roel Times out
Despite his best efforts at trying to make an impression of an Emperor Penguin at the Pels Mafia's Millenium party, Roel Koedams better at imitating a Fuel Bike rider and his plans for 2000 should allow him to compete on a more equal footing with the best the rest of the world can offer. A new sophisticated fuel timer system and a 3 valve billet cylinder head should see him better exploit the huge new magneto sported towards the end of last season
Date: 4th January 2000
Headline: Flatlanders step up
Our spy in the Fens tells us that rumours of the purchase of a state of the art Prostock machine from Paul Gast by the aristocrats of Kings Lynn are true. Although it seems unlikely that Nick Pepper will be a beneficiary of the import, his partner in crime, Chris Tombleson, will be cherry picking the best parts for his 2000 campaign.
Date: 4th January 2000
Headline: Gossip Page goes Live !
At long last, the King Racing / Dragbikes.com gossip page is live. here at King Racing we'd like to send a huge vote of thanks to the WebWizard, TonyB of Eurodragster.com fame for his sterling efforts in putting the site into full operation. The gossip page is for all those snippets of information, gossip and general chat from the world of motorcycle dragracing. Anything you'd like to be put into the gossip page can be sent to gossip@kingracing.com for inclusion. We promise not to reveal our sources unless, of course, you want us to. We hope you visit these pages frequently where we promise to let you know the two wheels news first. Updates will be regular so if you're interested in our world check us out first. We'd like to wish all our new viewers a Very Happy New Year!
Date: 2nd Jan 2000
Headline: Welcome to the Pit Lane.
The Pit Lane Gossip page is now open. Check in here for all the latest hot news from the bike pits.