August 14, 2005

NHRA NATIONAL DRAGSTER CHALLENGE

Twelve motorcycle racers competed for the prestigious “Wally” trophy, awarded to the winner of the 2005 NHRA “National Dragster Challenge”, contested at the Samoa Dragstrip on August 14, 2005.

Wayne Cox of Black & White Motorsports, riding his recently built 1997 Kawasaki ZX-7, captured the #1 qualifier award for the 2^nd consecutive event by posting a .016 reaction time during qualifications. Cox, however, was unable to advance past the 2^nd round and “broke out” while racing the very consistent and formidable Hans Tautscher. Tautscher’s day ended soon after, when he was defeated in the semi-finals by Kirk Speelman.

Speelman then advanced to the final round where he raced “Bomber” John Widmann in the “winner take-all” final round. Both racers had high hopes of taking home the “Wally” trophy (Widmann wanted to add to his already hefty collection of (10) “Wallys” and Speelman was hoping to replace his “G.I. Joe with a Hotwheels car” that sat upon his entertainment center).

Only one could win the highly sought after trophy, however, and it was ultimately awarded to Speelman and Widmann red lit in the final round and narrowly missed the 11^th “Wally” of his very successful drag racing career. Widmann seems to have a lock on 1^st place in the overall season points, with Speelman’s efforts this weekend placing him solidly in 2^nd place. The racers anxiously await the next event, which will be held on August 28, 2005.

Current points standings for the Sportsman Motorcycle Class can be accessed by clicking “RACE RESULTS” at www.blackandwhitemotorsports.com.