Lummus
Runs 150 mph
Street Pro Lap at Indy
AHDRA
Joker Machine Nationals,
Indianapolis Raceway Park
Clermont, IN, September 20-21, 2003
As V-twin performance
continues to develop at a rapid pace, record runs happen regularly
at AHDRA races, especially in the two new for '03 street tire
classes. But even in an established class like Rivera/Primo
Street Pro, when the right combination of the two classic
variables are there-good air or a good track-records are likely
to fall.
No one has ridden
the cutting edge of record setting in Street Pro more than
Travis Lummus and the Gene Lummus Harley-Davidson Team. Travis
is the three time defending champion by virtue of dominating
performances and an overwhelming number of wins. And after
setting all the records at Maryland International Raceway
in July (9.112 at 148.23 mph 1/4 mile, 5.844 at 122.20 mph
1/8th), Travis went to the AHDRA event at Indianapolis Raceway
Park with high expectations. "I personally hope we get
in the 8's at Indy," said Travis. Crossing that milestone
would be one of those things that everyone involved in the
sport would never forget. "If we don't, I still feel
confident about locking up the championship there."
Qualifying
round 1 - 1st Travis Lummus 9.283 et 150.60 mph
round 2 - 1st Travis Lummus 9.136 et 147.09 mph
round 3 - 1st Travis Lummus 9.379 et
Travis crossed the 150 mph barrier in round 1 of qualifying,
a lap almost 2 1/2 mph faster than his record at MIR. And
although an 8 second run was still a ways off, Lummus' 9.13
pass was inching towards his mid summer 9.11.
One of the variables
was definitely there. The postponed NHRA U.S. Nationals ran
two weeks before the AHDRA arrived. Could all that big tire
rubber still be clinging to the track? "That's a possibility,"
said Travis, who reported no problems getting his Mickey Thompson
MCR2 hooked up. "It was one of the best tracks I've ever
been on. It was a great facility, a great place."
Eliminations
Round 1
Travis Lummus .315 9.132 et 148.29 mph (w)
Derek Poff .285 9.759 et 132.52 mph
Another 9.13 for Travis.
Round 2 semi
Travis Lummus .189 9.546 et 147.17 mph (w)
single
Final Round
Doug Morrow .170 9.304 et 147.04 (w)
Travis Lummus .182 9.318 et 146.70
In
the end, Travis lost to close rival Doug Morrow. "I don't
think anything happened, I think we gave it our best shot
and the number wasn't there this time," Lummus said about
the race with Morrow. "They came out on top this time.
We ran some real good numbers this weekend and that just happened
to be a pass that wasn't.
"My dad Gene wasn't there. He plays a big part in the
bike tuning. Steve Allstadt was there but he spent a lot of
time with (teammate) Junior Pippin (who won Pro Modified).
So I did a lot of my own crew chiefing this weekend. I feel
very strongly that if my dad were there it be a different
story. That's not bad mouthing anybody, but obviously we do
better when the whole tream is there.
"I think we'll
run better in Rockingham. We hope a 9.0. We're always pretty
quick there."
Lummus goes to
Rockingham with a 250 point lead and a virtual lock on his
fourth championship. Second place Randy Borho would have to
travel from Oregon to The Rock and Vegas, set records at both,
win both races, and have Lummus not show up to win at this
point.
Travis
is sponsored by Red Line Oil, S&S Cycle, Works Shocks,
and Gene Lummus Harley-Davidson.
Travis and the Gene
Lummus Harley-Davidson Racing Team will race next at the AHDRA
event at Rockingham Dragway October 4-5.
www.genelummush-d.com
www.redlineoil.com
www.sscycle.com
www.ahdra.com
The Lummus Racing Report is prepared by Tim Hailey, www.eatmyink.com
Thanks to the AHDRA for the photo of Travis pulling the wheel
up at Las Vegas, 2002
