In the opening statements of the last Lumberjack Report I discussed the criteria used for making the selections of the greatest moments of the AMA/Prostar season. I mentioned how the element of surprise can often contribute to making a memorable moment spectacular. Catching people off guard with the unexpected is always quite intriguing. The instances that I have selected as the 7th and 8th greatest moments of the season portray this theme well, as no one could foresee them occurring.

The 8th greatest moment of the season is uncharacteristic of this list thus far because it did not actually take place on the drag strip. Although the event was not an "on track" spectacle, I knew that it would be one of the biggest stories of the year immediately after hearing the announcement.

After a year of uncertainty, Scooter Kizer makes the announcement that Funnybike is here to stay.

Shortly after the 2001 World Finals, AMA/Prostar CEO, Keith "Scooter" Kizer, informed the motorcycle drag racing community that due to rising track rental fees, one of the pro classes had to go. With Top Fuel being utilized as the "headliner" for many Prostar events, and with Pro Mod and Pro Stock alive and well, Kizer concluded that Funnybike was the only reasonable choice because of its drastic decline in number of participants over the years. Initially Kizer stated that, after a bad year financially, Funnybike would no longer be part of Prostar in 2002. Kizer also proposed some rule changes, which would enable Funnybike racers to compete in Top Fuel.

As anyone that regularly keeps up with dragbike.com already knows, the news did not go over well, especially with the clique of Funnybike regulars. Detractors and critics of Kizer's decision immediately began to surface on the dragbike.com discussion forms. Statements such as "I will never race Prostar again!" became almost cliché as the angry mass expressed their fury.

This was certainly not the reaction Kizer hoped for as he was now faced with an imminent problem. In an attempt to be fair to the Funnybike competitors Kizer revised his earlier statement with one that permitted Funnybike to compete in 2002 under special provisions. One such stipulation was that due to the decreasing number of entries, Funnybike would now be run and paid as an 8-bike field as opposed to the standard 16-bike field of the past. Also, Kizer turned the tables on the Funnybike racers as he changed his tone from "Funnybike is gone", to "Funnybike is gone if the racers can not find a solution to the dilemma."

Upon hearing the news that Funnybike would compete in 2002, I was elated but could not help thinking that despite what happens, Funnybike's days were numbered. As the 2002 Funnybike season began to unfold, we witnessed some pretty awesome performances from guys like; defending champion, Rob Giard, first-time winner, Jerry Lownsberry, eventual class champion, Chip Ellis, and of course the winningest Funnybike racer of all time, Gary Clark. By the last four races Marc Oliver and Tom Perry had become top-notch contenders as well, making the 8-bike field very elite and aggressive. However, while the racing was exceptionally competitive and entertaining the turnout of racers was still relatively low in comparison with other years.

Spirits were low among Funnybike racers, as it appeared that the existence of their class was a forgone conclusion and I do mean gone. I remember seeing Gary Clark after the Spring Nationals/Norris Cyclefest race held at Norwalk Raceway Park, collecting his check and claiming his contingencies, after going to two finals that weekend. Although the winner's circle is nowhere new to Clark, it is for the most part a place where riders are often euphoric after a solid weekend. This was not the case with Clark on this particular instance. I did not have a chance to talk with him, but to me he appeared dejected. As I passed by I could hear him talking about not being sure what the future holds for his class and how he hoped someone overseas would be interested in buying his bike. I felt bad knowing that at a time when Gary Clark and his established crew chief, Rick Stetson, should be jubilant for a successful weekend, they were disgusted. I recognized this situation to be the equivalent of getting a promotion at work while finding out you will be laid off shortly.

At the end of the summer, after remaining quiet on the topic for several months, Kizer issued what appeared to be the final statement regarding Funnybike. The proclamation declared that due to lack of involvement and overall increasing expense, Funnybike would no longer be an AMA/Prostar class as of 2004.

Once again the discussion forums exploded with rage, but this time something was different. People were just as angry as before but now began to sense that Funnybike was definitely on its way out and little could be done to change that. After watching Steve Rice and Chip Ellis lay down some stout passes at Montgomery, I envisioned Prostar without Funnybike and felt as if an integral part of motorcycle drag racing was dying. A class in which the foundation was laid by greats such as Jim McClure, Neal "fast" Lane, and Scooter's own brother, Terry Kizer.

I knew that terminating a class in which his brother was so influential, both as a racer and a manufacturer, would not be an easy task for Kizer. However I also recognized that Scooter Kizer's position with Prostar is one that forces him to make decisions in the best interest of the organization and not to worry about pleasing individuals.

Kizer stated, "Funnybike was always one of my favorite classes but because of the tracks getting outrageously expensive, and the nagging economy, I was forced to put my personal feelings aside."

The final race of the season in Gainesville held many "surprises" in the Funnybike category and proved to be rather bizarre. First, Chip Ellis would not be riding the motorcycle he won the championship on just one-month prior, and Steve Rice would not even be present at the event. Next, Gary Clark would post the lowest et of the class in over a year with an outstanding 6.53, while strangely red lighting with a .397. The third surprise proved to be the most significant and elaborate of them all.

At about 7:30 on Sunday evening during the Funnybike final, Scooter Kizer shocked the entire motorcycle drag racing community as he announced that due to the contributions of a small coalition headed by Tom Perry, Funnybike is here to stay; not just in 2003, but for good. Kizer went on to mention how the rules will be changed to make Funny bike "more affordable" with a "run what ya brung" type philosophy.

"I think we will be right back to where we were a few years ago, with over 20 Funnybikes at this year's first race", stated Kizer. The new rules, which put an extra emphasis on "stepping stone to Top Fuel", welcome back injected nitro Harleys, given they run a 13 inch tire.

Some are not so sure this will be a warm welcome to the Harleys. Dragbike.com editor Matt Polito stated, "Harleys running in Funnybike would be the best thing to happen to the class. I think we will see a few Harleys pop up but most of those bikes are built to run on 14 inch tires, and many of the teams may not be willing to go through the effort required to run on a 13 inch tire." While Polito brings up an interesting point concerning the nitro Harleys, only time will tell who's prophecy becomes reality.

Although expected participation in 2003 is obscure, it is clear that with the sponsorship money that Perry and company bring to the table along with possibly more support from long time sponsor of the class, Orient Express, Funnybike's financial future now looks more promising than ever.

"We are real happy we could get this worked out", said Kizer. "We could not have done it without Tom Ward, who worked as the facilitator of the case for the last several months. Also a big thanks goes out to Tom Perry. We asked competitors all year, What is the future of the class? Perry is the only one that came up with an answer. Perry brought enough sponsors to the table to have a season. We have changed the rules and are still looking at them, to make this class more affordable and a stepping-stone to Top Fuel. I think what you will see is an immediate turnaround next year with several bikes at the first race".

After making the save, I admire Tom Perry and the way he took charge in finding a solution. He is a great example of how racers can truly make a difference in the sport they love, instead of just complaining about what they dislike.

As of now Funnybike will go back to a 16-bike field format and final rule changes will be posted on amaprostar.com. There will also be a website dedicated to the new Funnybike alliance right here on Dragbike.com In conclusion, after a long heated debate for nearly a year, Funnybike racers, crews, and fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the proposal of some determined racers and an open-minded Prostar administration.

Because of its "1 on 1" nature, motorcycle drag racing can be classified as a sport with very extreme emotional highs and lows. For the most part, two motorcycles come to the starting line, with only one of them advancing to the next round. This system time and again produces several long, unhappy faces after each round. Because drag racers do not have hundreds of miles and laps to make up for mistakes like Winston Cup drivers, it is necessary to seize an opportunity when it is presented to you. This next rider did just that, by overcoming adversity and turning an awfully dismal weekend into a tremendously successful one.

Charlie Farrar wins Indy after failing to qualify for the 16-bike field.

Selection #7 is indeed a paradox because it seems so contradictory. However, it is quite true because by qualifying in the #18 spot, Charlie Farrar became second alternate. This means that if two motorcycles qualified in the top 16, would not be able to make it to the starting line for first round, Farrar would be permitted to race as a provisional. Obviously Farrar had little chance of even making it into the show, let alone winning the event.

After the final round of qualifying on Saturday night, Farrar's best effort after three passes was an off pace 7.257 at 179.74 mph. In terms of performance, Farrar and his C&W Kawasaki were more then three tenths of a second behind pole-sitter, John Sachs.

Farrar stated, "Much like Gary Clark we struggled the first half of the season trying to figure out the right combination for our Rick Ward Vortex cylinder head. We had several problems and we had no idea how to find the right tune-up. We were lost. The bike would leave the starting line and then just die."

Although Farrar was out of the race with little chance of making it into the program, his crew chief, Russ Nyberge, showed up early Sunday morning to work on the bike. It seemed as if Nyberge might have had an epiphany overnight, as the problem suddenly became clear to him and he began making changes on the bike. Shortly afterwards Farrar walked up to the starting line as the first session of pros were being paired in the lanes. "I went up to the staging lanes in my blue jeans and saw that some of the guys that I qualified ahead of were waiting to make it in as alternates. At this time I knew I better go get the bike and get suited up".

Due to mechanical problems on Nathaniel Wright's machine, first alternate Pat Watson Jr., was allowed to take his place. This now upgraded Farrar from second alternate to first alternate. As the Funnybikes took to the track, #14 qualifier Ricky Lang was not yet in the lanes for pairing. Farrar was able to take Lang's spot just moments before first round of eliminations. As Farrar wheeled his machine up to the starting to face off against Mike Caputo, a frantic Ricky Lang scurried to the starting line attempting to claim back his position on the ladder. All Farrar could do at this point was to wait for the official call from the AMA/Prostar staff.

Farrar stated, "When I saw Ricky I backed off. I did not think we were going to be able to run. Then Nettie [Damron, Prostar lane coordinator] instructed me to back out".

Although it appeared as if Ricky Lang would get approval, the final decision would come from AMA/Prostar Event Director Scott Barger. However, although Lang was not aware of it at the time, he was already too late due to sequence that AMA/Prostar inserted the alternates into the ladder. Lang was scheduled to take on Toby Troyer in round number one, not Mike Caputo, who was lined up next to Farrar. Lang presumed that the second alternate, Farrar, would be his replacement since Lang was the slower of the two qualified bikes being replaced. However this was not the way the bikes were paired and Toby Troyer had already taken on Pat Watson Jr. Understanding the situation, Barger made the correct call by backing Lang out of the water box while allowing Farrar to make the pass.

The confusion at the starting line did not seem to hurt Farrar's concentration as he posted a career best 6.95 to a stunned Mike Caputo's 7.08. It was clear that the early morning maintenance and tuning changes by Russ Nyberge had paid off a great deal. Farrar's success continued throughout the rest of the day, as he swept through the quarter and semi-finals, defeating Toby Troyer and Steve Drake. Team C&W improved with each pass as they ran a 6.91 followed by a sizzling 6.86.

Eventual 2002 Pro Mod champion, John Sachs was the only man left standing between Farrar and his first ever AMA/Prostar national event victory. To add to the stress, Farrar was also up against the Pro Mod tuning expertise of Joe Franco, who along with fulfilling his duties as crew chief for Sachs, helped Farrar with his troubles finding the right set-up throughout the course of the season. Farrar and his C&W teammates responded to the pressure by posting the quickest Pro Mod Kawasaki run of all time with a superb 6.82 to Sachs' 6.87.

Farrar stated, "To win Indy was unbelievable to me. It was great doing it in front of my entire family and friends. We were all amazed. I wasn't even expecting to race on Sunday. Getting my first win after not qualifying was unbelievable. It wouldn't have been possible without the help of C&W cycle shop. Russ Nyberge did a great job tuning the bike. Carl Nyberge, who handles the transmission and chassis, helped out a lot too. I also appreciated all the help from Joe Franco, Rick Ward, and Tony Lang as well". Farrar continued to lay down impressive numbers throughout the remainder of the season that significantly raised the market value of his motorcycle, making it very easy to sell.

"Yeah, I sold the bike, but I'm not giving it up yet. Not until we can prove that our new bike is just as quick", stated Farrar. "We will have both bikes at Gainesville and will test the new one on Wednesday or Thursday". Although Farrar is not so quick to give up his record-setting bike from last year, he is very optimistic about the new one. "We've got one of those new Trac Dynamics aluminum race chassis. We feel good about the new bike and hope to be racing it by the middle of the season".

Farrar, who has been racing since 1992, recognizes that the transition from bike to bike may take some time, and is making a very veteran-like decision. With year-end points battles sometimes being decided by less than a round win, there is no reason to get off a proven motorcycle until the new one is just as competitive. And yes, Farrar's new motor will of course be a Kawasaki power plant. After posting the quickest Pro Mod run of all time on a Kawasaki, Farrar hopes to attract attention from the factory and possibly join Team Green.

Along with racing Prostar, Farrar would like to campaign his Pro Stock Kawasaki at various NHRA events. "Pro Stock is also a lot of fun for me. I bought my first bike from C&W, off of Russ and Carl's dad," stated Farrar.

After not qualifying and going on to win the event, Farrar and his team exemplify how quickly steadfast individuals can change their luck in the sport of motorcycle drag racing. After struggling through both days of qualifying, the easy thing to do would have been to load up the bike on Saturday and start heading home. Instead Team C&W did the opposite, by showing up early Sunday morning, attempting to correct the problem. Much like in Robert Frost's classic poem, Team C&W took the road less traveled by, and after turning their season around, found that it had made all the difference.

Stay tuned to Dragbike.com for the next installment of the Lumberjack Report

Jack can be contacted by e-mail at Lumberjack@dragbike.com

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