Fast By Gast Nationals
Man Cup set to Invade Dragway 42
article by Tom McCarthy
Dragway 42, in West Salem Ohio, is ready for the world’s fastest motorcycles, as the Man Cup motorcycle drag racing sanction is set to host the 37th Annual, Fast By Gast Nationals, presented by Cometic Gaskets and Mickey Thompson Tires on July 13-15, 2018. The three-day event will see all the Man Cup professional and sportsman classes contested with qualifying on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.
On Thursday early bird racers can arrive a day ahead of time between the hours of 4PM to 10PM. The race facility has normal Thursday night racing and all Man Cup racers who wish to show up early and run the Dragway 42 Thursday night program are welcome to do so.
Friday will kick off the event weekend with the pit gates opening at 11AM followed by an open test session from 2PM to 9PM, available to all Man Cup racers. The track will secure the facility and will close the Pit Gates by 10:30PM overnight.
Click here for full weekend schedule
On Saturday, the pit gates will open at 7AM, and Man Cup Registration will be open early to serve the racers. Racing is set to kick off at 9AM with C&S Custom Street ET, followed by Vance & Hines V-Twin class and MPS Pro ET. There will be one (1) time trial run per entry, per class and this will be followed by the same run order for the same classes run concurrently. The second running of this order will be E-1 for the aforementioned classes.
The Sportsman run order will be Grothus Ultra 4.60, MTC Super Comp, Wiseco Street Fighter, Star Power Top Gas, and World Wide Bearings C/8’s. The first run of the day will be Q-1 for these classes. This run order should repeat throughout the race day, please be alert for adjustments to the race program.
Professional classes are slated to begin qualifying at 11:30AM, starting with Pingel Top Fuel, followed by Orangeburg Cycle Pro Fuel, Falicon Pro Mod, APE Pro Street, Nitrous Express Pro Open and Shinko/WPS Real Street. The professional class qualifying sessions are intended for 11:30am, 3PM and 7PM with the actual run times subject to change as racing conditions dictate. JE Pistons Grudge series racing should be good at this race and they will be worked into the program running behind the professional sessions.
There will be some “All-Star” appearances at the Man Cup FBG Nationals. Jason Pridemore will be racing his new combination in the Top Fuel motorcycle class and Niki Zak will be back with her “Zak Attack” machine. The world’s fastest woman on two wheels in drag racing recently returned to the USA from her home in Australia and she’s is eager to get back into the saddle again in Nitrous Express Pro Open class racing.
Another bonafide All-Star will be the appearance of Gary Stroud racing in Orangeburg Cycle Racing Pro Fuel class. Gary is a well-respected veteran of the class and has been a Harley Davidson drag racing stalwart since the 1980’s. Gary has raced in almost all of the gas-powered classes over the years and after his Pro/Mod years, his transition to Pro/Fuel was a natural one. Gary is a tough customer and can win on any Sunday on any race track.
When Pingel Top Fuel class drag racing takes to the track at Dragway 42, Dave Vantine, who is currently leading in Top Fuel points, has won 2 in a row to start off the 2018 season. But the Spiderman has been in the lane next to him each time so only a handful of points separate these two titans of Top Fuel motorcycle drag racing. At Ohio, if Larry takes a win, he will close the gap on Dave and build momentum for the Fall and cooler weather.
Jason Pridemore racing his new Top Fuel Harley configuration at Ohio will be a real treat for Man Cup racers and fans. His bike features a screw-type supercharger and has been 4.0 @ over 193 MPH in the 1/8th mile. He’s a solid contender for the Pingel Top Fuel Twin 5 Second Club. If he clocks in with a 5 second elapsed time during qualifying, it would be a very historical moment for all involved.
Both Chris Hand and Mitch Brown are expected to be racing at this event. They are also quite capable of upsetting the apple cart for the front-runners. Both teams are used to racing in the heat of the summer and Chris has a wealth of experience to draw from, so it’s anyone’s race to win at Dragway 42.
In Orangeburg Cycle Racing Pro Fuel class, Preston Bartlett, has a 28 point lead over Sam White going into this event and Sam will be at this race parked right by Preston in the pits. These two bulls will be at it all weekend while contending with Gary Stroud and whoever else shows up to race in the P/F class. This track is home turf for Gary Stroud and he will be very tough to beat here. There is no substitute for experience and Gary has that in spades.
When the Falicon Performance Pro Mod class rolls into the staging lanes at Dragway 42, Paul Gast, Mister Stick with it, has a 40 point lead in championship points over Shane Eperjesi. Paul last had the P/M #1 plate in 2016 and he’s looking to put that plate back on his drag bike at the end of 2018. Paul is the title sponsor of this event, The Fast By Gast Nationals. His decades of motorcycle drag racing excellence are fully apparent in his pit area and his on-track performance. Can Shane Eperjesi close the championship points gap?
Nitrous Express Pro Open class racing will be very interesting at the Fast By Gast Nationals. Going into the event, both Rick Perry and Keith Brown tied in championship points! So these two will be out to settle a score and the spoiler will be a lady who will more than happy to mix things up and keep them interesting in P/O. Niki Zak has returned to the USA and this Man Cup event will be her first time back into competition in 2018 here in the states. Niki has been as quick as 6.40’s and has won in Pro Open before. There is no doubt she will add excitement to Nitrous Express Pro Open racing for the fans and the racers.
APE Pro Street racing at this event should be interesting when Jeremy Teasley and Chris Connelly line up in competition. Jeremy is 10 points ahead of Chris Connelly and Chris has plenty of motivation to up his game. He’s never won a Pro Street championship so this is his big chance to prove his driving skills and he has them. Pro Street 2018 rookie Michael Daddio is also expected to be at this event. He’s been a very competitive sportsman racer for years and now he has taken his game to the next level with the help of his good friend Jason Dunigan. Pro Street should be a good time at Dragway 42.
Shinko/WPS Real Street competition is very close this year with Spencer Claycomb as the front-runner. Going into the FBG Nationals, he is currently 45 championship points ahead of Bud Harrod, who is only 24 points ahead of Marcus Hylton, who is only 1 point ahead of Turbo Johnny Dobrin. Now add to this Anibal Merced is just 1 point behind Turbo Johnny and you can see how tight this class really is! None of the aforementioned racers can afford not to be in Ohio for this race. But only one will lead the pack after this race.
In Grothus Ultra 4.60 drag racing; will the Mullen brothers return to the winner’s circle in Ohio, or will Alan Fields advance at Dragway 42, that it the question. At the last Man Cup event in Rockingham North Carolina, Alan Fields was the #1 qualifier and then he marched through the brutal 4.60 field of drag racers to win the event, defeating points leader Tony Mullen in the process. The current championship points leader, Tony Mullen with his twin brother Jimmy are the 2017 champions and they lead in points – but for how long? It’s mid-season and Alan Fields has certainly upped the ante. Grothus Ultra 460 is a super tough class full of talent. The winner at Dragway 42 will certainly have an advantage going into the home stretch, come September. But who’s it going to be?
Star Power Top Gas – Ricardo Marte is #1 in points. With Jeremy Teasley right behind him, can he hold off one of the most talented drag bike racers in the game today? Only 23 points separate the two combatants and there is a metric TON of talent chasing down these two points leaders. They will both need strong performances in the next two races to remain viable contestants for the World Finals in November.
MTC Super Comp motorcycle drag racing, going into the FBG Nationals has Jeremy Teasley in the #1 spot, but with Spencer Claycomb in the number 2 spot, how long with this last? Spencer, like JT is racing his best ever in 2018 and in more than one class on more than one drag bike. With Dusty Brazel and Shawn Welch right behind them, this will be a battle to see who can make the fewest mistakes. Because anyone of these racers can win this & more, the sportsman classes are just full of some of the best on the planet. Welcome to the jungle, we’ve got fun and games!
World Wide Bearings C/8’s racers are watching National #1, Dusty Brazel very closely. He has the 2017 #1 plate, his first ever national championship title and racers know Ohio is a long way from home for Dusty. Is he making the trip? You’re damn right he is! Dusty kknows he can double down on his plate and is in solid contention in more than one class so, yes, he’s hitting the road. Any racer who wants to take that C/8 #1 plate away from Dusty Brazel is going to have to earn it. Racer’s like Brian Dale and Shawn Bizelle are definitely going to try!
In Wiseco Street Fighter action at Dragway 42, Roy Johnson is building a lead over Jason Herron, if Jason is to have a title shot, he needs the win in Ohio. Currently, Roy has a 43 point lead going into race #3 of a 5 race season and this is the pivotal race for all classes. Winner’s here can turn the corner and charge to the season-ending finals. It’s unwise to let a points leader build a larger than (50) point lead after mid-season. So the gloves will come off in Ohio.
Vance & Hines V-Twin – Vance Houdyshell is building a sizable lead over Don Horta and Branon White. If either contender wants to snatch the #1 plate from Houdyshell, they will have to earn it, starting with a win at the Dragway 42 race. Vance is as tough as they come in sportsman motorcycle drag racing. He knows how to win and he hates to lose. He can cut them on the tree or take an opponent at the stripe. If you want to take down a king, you must strike him down, he will not fall on his own. Who can do this in Vance & Hines V-Twin drag racing?
C&S Custom Street ET – Dusty Brazel may be the #1 plate holder in Crazy 8’s from the 2017 season, but he’s currently #1 in points with the C&S Custom Street ET class. He’s also a front-runner in C/8’s too. Dusty is on a TEAR in 2018, he’s a Man On Fire! That he can run up front in C&S Customs Street ET then get right to it in Crazy 8’s speaks well of his motorcycle drag racing abilities and his desire to win. His performance at Dragway 42, away from his comfort zone and the tracks of his neck of the woods, will foretell the tale of his chances to double-down in 2018.
MPS Pro ET – Ricardo Marte has been on fire in 2018, he’s currently #1, Damian Solis is capable of closing the gap, but to do that a win for him at Dragway 42 is a MUST! Now with Brian Dale and Ralph Medrano Jr doing well at the last race in Rockingham, it’s the racers who will travel to Ohio that will have the best shot at the title come November. Right now, Ohio is where it’s at and anyone who sits this one out will be sorry they did!
Click here for full weekend schedule
About Man Cup Motorcycle Drag Racing: Headquartered in Safety Harbor, Florida, Man Cup motorcycle drag racing is North America’s largest professional motorcycle drag racing sanctioning body. Man Cup promotes motorcycle drag racing on a national event basis for professional, sportsman and ET bracket racers alike and is open to riders of all skill and experience levels. The Man Cup Series is the only national event style motorcycle drag racing series comprised of events throughout the eastern half of the United States. For marketing opportunities with the Man Cup as well as more information on Man Cup Motorcycle Drag Racing, please visit www.mancup.info on the web or 7 2 7 – 7 4 2 – 5 2 4 5 voice/text.
2018 Schedule
- April 6-8 / South Georgia Motorsports Park
- June 1-3 / Rockingham Dragway
- July 13-15 / Dragway 42
- September 14-16 / Galot Motorsports Park (1/8 mile)
- November 15-18 / South Georgia Motorsports Park
[row][forth_paragraph]
[/forth_paragraph][forth_paragraph]
[/forth_paragraph][forth_paragraph]
[/forth_paragraph][forth_paragraph]
[/forth_paragraph][/row]
The Man Cup Series is brought to you by our sponsors : Adams Performance – APE – Bates Leathers – Carolina Cycle – Cometic – Cooper Performance – D&G Chassis – DME Racing – Daytona Senors – Dragbike.com – Exotic Cycle – Falicon Performance – Galot Motorsports Park – Grothus Dragbike – Hawaya Racing – Hot Rod Chrissy Photos – HTP Performance – JRI Shocks – Lectron – McIntosh Machine and Fabrication – Memphis International Raceway – MoTec – MPS – MRE – MTC – Muzzys – Penske Shocks – Pingel Enterprises – Portable Shade – PR Factory Store – RCC Turbo – Roaring Toyz – Rob Bush Motorsports – Rockingham Dragway – S&S Cycle – Schnitz Racing – Shinko – Star Racing – Western Power Sports – South Georgia Motorsports Park – Trac Dynamics – Vance & Hines – Ward Performance – Web Cam – Wiseco Pistons – World Wide Bearing – Wossner Pistons
