NHDRO Liguori Drag Racing World Semifinals
August 30-September 1, 2019
Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio
Dalton’s NHDRO 4.60 Win First-Ever for a No-Bar Bike
Rain may have interrupted NHDRO’s Liguori Drag Racing World Semifinals at West Salem, Ohio’s Dragway 42, but not before a unique achievement by Jeff Dalton in Pro Ultra 4.60.
The world’s quickest motorcycle index class is generally reserved for Pro Mods and Funnybikes—big tire, wheelie bar monsters with nitrous or turbos. Dalton’s bike is a turbo, no-bar, Suzuki Hayabusa.
His original plan for the “Autism Awareness” bike was to race grudge, but few race opportunities came his way. Looking at his timeslips, Dalton realized he could do more racing and be competitive running 4.60, eighth-mile index. So he entered the bike in the class for the first time at NHDRO’s Louisville event, and this past weekend at 42 he notched his first win—and the first-ever anywhere for a no-bar bike in 4.60.
Granted, a starting line infraction by Cleveland racer Jimmy Muntain made the final round an easy one for Dalton, but that’s racing. Muntain—doing his best Andrew Hines impression—rolled the beams on the two-step. Dalton also advanced past number one qualifier Heath McQuinn in E1.
“NHDRO is the place to go!” said an enthusiastic Dalton. “I cannot wait till the 2020 NHDRO season—I am going for the championship! Started too late this year and am still learning how to get this beast consistently on the number.”
Indy’s $16,000 race winner Tom Klemme won Saturday’s MPS Pro ET, beating Larry Hunter in the final. Klemme was also still alive in Sunday’s Pro ET race when rain shut the event down on Sunday afternoon. Craig Adams, Rod “Exciting” Bland, Steven “Dolemite” Dolamore, Ron Raymond, and KJ Shellhaas were also still in.
With limited track time available at the upcoming World Finals at Gateway, purses were split amongst those left racing in all classes for this event.
Saturday’s Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET winner was Norwalk legend Kevin Adams, who beat Jeremy England in the final.
There were eight Street ET racers left racing on Sunday. They were Beau Ivy, Jim “Klingon” Kleon, Travis Kotz, Garreth and Scott Sheppeard, Drew Nearhoof, Robert Neizmik, and Michael Schmalle.
M2.Shocks Crazy Comp racers still vying for the win were Canadian Murray Lonsbary, Gregory Highsmith (who beat number one qualifier David Liguori in round 2), Matt Knaggs, Nathan Hollingsworth, Joey Brandgard, Tylan Beckelheimer, Tom Luke, Joe Klemme, and Kevin Adams.
Racers still alive in Penske Racing Shocks Street Fighter were number one qualifier Neizmik, England, Eric Vansboy, Kevin Adams, and Ron Arnold.
Hardcore Cycles Top Gas still had Dustin Lee (who beat number one qualifier Bland in the first round), David “Skywalker” Thompson, Jeremy Teasley, Scott Sheppeard, and—yet again— Kevin Adams.
Mass Traction’s Brandon Mass had 42’s surface on point for every class, with Indy Pro Street winner Dave Roisen running his personal best short times at this event.
Saturday night’s VooDoo Grudge races saw NHDRO’s own Brian Welch ride the MSP-built-and-tuned “Big Greezy” past Josh Ford, and John Dyer on the “Shark” Suzuki Hayabusa beat Cameron Teasley on a Kawasaki ZX14.
Until it rained, the weekend saw perfect weather for racing, picnicking and camping for the NHDRO racing family in Dragway 42’s park-like setting.
The Midwest’s largest motorcycle drag racing series returns to action for the Kenneth R. Schwartz Attorney at Law NHDRO World Finals on October 19-20 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois.
Top Gas racer Kenny Schwartz looks forward to seeing you there, and NHDRO’s Brian and Niki Welch can’t wait to crown their latest champions.
Visit NHDRO for more event information. Questions e-mail niki.nhdro@gmail.com
NHDRO sponsors:
Schwartz & Schwartz, APE, M2.Shocks, Kevin Dennis Insurance, MPS, Schnitz Racing, Liquori Drag Racing, CC Power Sports, Millennium Trailers, Penske Racing Shocks, Hardcore Cycles, Quinn O’s Bike Sales, Vanson Leathers, Bill Bullers Racing, Voodoo Moto
