Team RMR report from Summit ET Finals
This year “Team RMR” headed to the NHRA Northwest Division for the Summit ET finals September 4th-6th. Track officials from Rocky Mountain Raceways thought it would be easier on the racers from Utah to make the trip to Boise, ID rather than Fontana, CA. We did have about 40 cars/bikes/sleds show up.
On Friday, they had a “Gamblers” race but were unable to finish due to a quick moving windstorm that eventually turned to rain. However, RMR’s Jeff Durfey made it to the final of that and split the winnings!
Saturday started off with more rain so that delayed racing a bit and postponed the time trial.
In the “Race of Champions” the Rocky Mountain Raceway team was made up of six riders. Jeff Durfey, Mike Cragun, Larry Mota, Jeremy Bates, Rick Newport and Don Nielsen (Don was alternate filling in for Benjamin McEwan).
In an unusual showing, all the riders were out by the second round. Mike Cragun and Rick Newport were the only ones to make it to the second round and they both lost in that round. Pacific Raceway teammates ended up in the final with Joe Lind winning over Chris Benda, both on ZX-14’s. Congratulations to Joe for winning the trip to Pomona for the World Finals and chance for the Summit ET National Championship!
Team RMR did well to end up tied for 6th for the ROC Team Championship.
If the first two days weather was iffy, Sunday was perfect with sunny skies in the 70’s and light breeze. 52 bikes and sleds lined up for the “Team Championship” and a chance for a NHRA “Wally”. Team RMR did much better with the bikes helping Team RMR finish 5th in the overall team standings.
Mike Cragun, Rick Newport, Tracy Giles, Steve Harrison, Kirk Walton all made it past the first round.
In the second round, all advanced but Tracy Giles who broke out on his pass on the Harley.
The third round, Mike Cragun lost on his Kawasaki to ROC winner Joe Lind and Steve Harrison redlighted on his Harley against Ted Brown.
In the fourth round, Rick Newport used a great .005 reaction to beat Matt MacKay-Smith’s .017. Rick ran 8.368@151.41mph on the 8.30 dial to Matt’s 8.555@151.19mph on the 8.48 dial.
Kirk Walton had some issues with the clutch overheating and not being able to run the number but ended up beating Ted Brown’s ZX-14.
In the semifinal, Kirk Walton lost on a double breakout by .0014 when Riley Toth from Medicine Hat, Alberta had the reaction time advantage .024 vs .048. Both rider went well under the dial in times with Walton running 10.216@141.71mph on the 10.29 dial to Riley’s 8.877@144.75mph on the 8.95 dial in time.
Rick Newport also won in a double breakout race, defeating John Plaster. Reaction times were close with Rick getting the slight advantage of .037 vs .038. Rick ran 8.277@159.68mph on the 8.29 dial to John’s 9.347@134.34mph on the 9.38 dial.
In the final, Rick Newport had a stellar .004 light to Riley Toth’s .023 and ran 8.378@147.44mph on the 8.28 dial. Riley ran 8.965@137.93mph on the 8.85 dial.
Thanks to all of Team RMR for a fun weekend, Boise’s Firebird Raceway for hosting and doing a great job with the track and all the NHRA Northwest Division Summit ET racers!
Next major race at RMR is the NHRA Pacific Division double header for the LODRS/Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley-Davidson September 24-27th “Night of Fire”.
