HONDA – SUZUKI of SANFORD BIKE OPEN • ROCKINGHAM DRAGWAY SEPT. 19-20

Way back in the spring, the first round of the MiRock Superbike Series was rained out. So the drag-racing drama was given another act in September to make up for it: the Honda-Suzuki of Sanford Bike Open at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. It was the third-to-last round of the season.

You may remember that the month before, Vincent Demito lost his lead in the Pro Street Class (the premier event). He fell to third place behind Rodney Williford and Mike Slowe, who are all in close contention. (see "HONDA – SUZUKI of SANFORD BIKE OPEN RESULTS" for a list of qualifiers and winners.)

Photos by Tim Hailey

Demito redeemed himself in September by taking the lead back from Williford. Demito qualified sixth, then used a 0.123-second starting line advantage in the finals to make his slower 7.508-second run a winner over the 7.425 posted by Williford, whose run was botched by an uncharacteristically poor 0.266 reaction time.

This is the first year of the 200 mph street-legal Pro Street Class. In the past two years, Demito won back-to-back championships in the former premier class, the Pro Sportbike division, which will be discontinued after this year.

Speaking of Pro Sportbike, Anthony Navarro ended the possibility of winning every round of the series. He lost his first final to Sean Walsh. But Navarro had already clinched the championship.

The Real Street championship, on the other hand, is still up for grabs. Going into the September round, Keith Thompson lead Rickey Gayson by just 13 points. Thompson expanded his lead by taking second place after losing to Mark Billiter in the finals.

RESULTS

FAST by GAST SUPERBIKE FINALS • MARYLAND INT'L RACEWAY OCT. 3-4

The seventh round of the eight-round MiRock Superbike Series took place Oct. 3-4 at the Maryland International Raceway (for coverage on the sixth round, See HONDA – SUZUKI of SANFORD BIKE OPEN). Besides the changes in point standings, three records were shattered.

In the premier Pro Street class, Bud Yoder beat Nicholas Mazeika in the finals. But regarding the overall series, all eyes have been on three racers: Vincent Demito, Mike Slowe and Rodney Williford. Just three rounds ago, nine points separated them. After round seven, Demito leads Slowe and Williford by nine and 29 points, respectively. So the final round will be worth watching.

In the finals of the Pro Sportbike class, Anthony Navarro beat trailermade Sean Walsh, who had beat him in the finals of the previous round, ending Navarro's chance of a perfect season.

The Real Street class isn't as competitive as it once was. Keith Thompson leads it by 69 points. (See FAST by GAST SUPERBIKE FINALS for more stats.)

Now for a rundown of the records broken in October. Bud Yoder set new ET and speed records in the Pro Street class: 7.115 seconds and 203.92 mph. He rides a turbo-charged 2008 Hayabusa. In the Real Street class, Ashon Dickerson set a speed record of 183.64 mph atop his nitrous-assisted 2005 Hayabusa.

The final round of the MiRock Superbike Series is Nov. 7-8 at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. The series includes several classes other than the three mentioned here, including after-dark "underground" grudge runs. The events attract thousands of people and often feature a bikini contest, live bands and vendors. Learn more at www.mirockracing.com.

RESULTS