Click Here to View the Launch of Jack’s Galleries and an introduction to the man behind the lens, Jack McIntyre.

Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today.

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

A modern muscle roadster that is delightful to ride and look at. Performance and presence in a timeless package. It absolutely looks and feels like a Triumph.

A comprehensive review of the highs & lows of riding a modern roadster

Click Here to Read this Road-Test Review on Bikernet.com

Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today.

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

from https://www.financialexpress.com

The Harley-Davidson scooter was considered ‘highly maneuverable and well balanced’ and definitely looks nice with its identifiable aesthetic from the early 1960s. Now, more than a vehicle, it is a piece of art.

Imagine you’re minding your business selling V-twin motorcycles from Milwaukee and then you see a manufacturer from Japan selling nippy compact imported bikes and little scooters in a market you’d been very popular in. What do you do? Simple, build a scooter yourself. And so Harley-Davidson did when in the late 1950s, Honda surfaced as a competitor.

Harley’s answer was called the Topper.

The Topper remained in production for only five years with production estimates in a four-digit figure, Jalopnik writes in a report. Barring the electric concepts Harley now has, the Topper was the only scooter the manufacturer ever built and also mass-produced. One of these has been found and is now heading for auction at Mecum’s Las Vegas Motorcycles 2022 auction.

Unlike the big V-twin that power H-D motorcycles, the Harley-Davison Topper was powered by a two-stroke single-cylinder that delivered between 5 to 9 hp. It came in three models. It is not known which one of them is heading to Mecum.

All that power was sent to its wheels through a continuously variable transmission. American Motorcyclist magazine from November 1959 mentions a pull start cord hidden in the chrome instrument cluster.

The Topper was considered ‘highly maneuverable and well balanced’ by the same magazine and definitely looks nice with its identifiable aesthetic from the early 1960s. Now, more than a vehicle, it is a piece of art.

Imagine being able to say you own a Harley-Davidson scooter today. And if you want to, you could. Mecum’s auction is set to begin on 25 January 2022 until the 29th of the month. Interested? Look for the Harley-Davidson Heritage Collection.

BANDIT’S CANTINA INTRODUCES JACK’S GALLERIES AGAIN—If only we could get it right. Jack shoots major event all over the country. And if you didn’t make it, he takes you there, big time. If you did attend the event, he reminds you of the good times, in a colorful way. Here’s the first event we are launching this week in the Cantina, hopefully: Sturgis 2021.

Each year we feel blessed that we can once again visit the mother of all motorcycle rallies, Sturgis. I’m equally lucky to participate as a freelance photographer & often work directly for the Buffalo Chip. The friends I have there are some of the best I’ve ever met.

This year is even more special for me, because my wife is visiting for the first time ever and I couldn’t wait to show her around. Between all that goes on at the Chip and the great stops surrounding Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy horse, Deadwood and the historic town of Sturgis, she fell in love with the region.

Please enjoy the images, I hope that they can help paint a picture of the event through my eyes and join the Cantina to help support our galleries.

–JACK MCINTYRE
PHOTOGRAPHER, SPECIALIZING IN THE POWERSPORTS INDUSTRY
BIKERNET.COM / BANDIT’S CANTINA
JOHNNY MAC’S CHOPPER HOUSE, PHILLY

The scrape was quick but still jarring. A footpeg brushing the pavement, the bike leaned over almost as far as it could go.

Big brakes complement the capable chassis. The Brembo M50 radial monoblocs up front rein in the bike with aplomb. Lever feel is linear and allows for easy trail braking. Those swept bars are pretty, but they’re also a perfect blend of narrow and wide, so you can muscle and lever the bike to your will while still in a fairly upright and comfortable position. (Try that on a Thruxton.) Add in the sticky Metzeler Racetec RR tires, and you have a confidence-inspiring and comfortable package for anyone who can tolerate the Triumph’s lack of windshield or fairing.

Finally, there’s that engine, the Twin in the bike’s name. It feels like a traditional modern Bonneville dialed up just a bit—still all rumble and easy torque, but also a little smoother, a little more snappy, more powerful. It also feels like a cheat code on a video game, smooth and tractable across the entire rev range.  If you don’t feel like revving the bike out, clean low-rpm fueling lets you quickly row the shifter to fourth or fifth gear, and then lazily squirt through traffic with ease, riding that wave of torque, no need to rack the gearbox to keep moving.

2021 Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin

Base price/as-tested: $12,500 / $12,800

Highs: Comfortable and confidence inspiring chassis, exhaust note that begs for more throttle, good electronics package.

Lows: Range can be a bit of a bummer with a machine this fun to ride.

National Motorists Association (NMA). California

Immediate Attention: Contact Governor Gavin Newsom TODAY about AB43–the Traffic Safety Bill

Dear California NMA Members,

AB43 is a “hair on fire” situation. The bill, generically titled “Traffic Safety,” was passed by the state Senate and Assembly earlier this month by votes of 30 to 5 and 68 to 5 respectively, with a few abstentions in both chambers. AB43 was forwarded to Governor Newsom on September 17th and is awaiting his action. That’s why the urgency. (Please send this out to family and friends as well).

Members should email their opposition to the bill to:
Governor Gavin Newsom
c/o Ronda.Paschal@gov.ca.gov –Deputy Legislative Secretary

The main issue is that the bill would reverse nearly 100 years of California speed limits being based on fact-based engineering by allowing the lowering of limits without any particular rationale. By disregarding proven traffic engineering standards and posting unrealistic limits, many more drivers traveling at conventional, safe speeds will be stopped and ticketed for noncompliance.

Police and community relations will be poorly served by a dramatic increase in traffic stops that serves no safety purpose. Speed traps will become much more prevalent.

The forced lowering of speed limits will also create a surge in traffic accidents. Most drivers obey their instincts of what is a safe rate of travel on a particular road. That’s why the prevailing methodology for setting the safest speed limit is based on the prevailing behavior of 85 percent of drivers. Studies have shown repeatedly that the 85th percentile rule for establishing speed limits minimizes crashes.

By reducing speed limits below those levels, there will be a wider variance of driving speeds on the road, some obeying the new numbers on the speed limit signs and more following natural driving patterns. The result will be more vehicular interactions between regular and slower drivers, creating the conditions for more crashes.

Write from your own perspective, which will give a much more impactful statement to the governor. We urge you to do it today!

Thank you for your support of motorists’ rights in California.

National Motorists Association – www.motorists.org

from https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/experience/stories/adventure/gs-trophy-2022.html

The unknown beauty of Albania
Rugged mountains, vast valleys, wild rivers, dense forests and a fantastic coastline: BMW Motorrad will bring the International GS Trophy to Albania in late summer 2022. The country, which is considered an insider tip for off-road touring, is incredibly rich in flora, fauna and culture. The best Enduro riders in the world can look forward to discovering this as yet quite unknown beauty on their GS bikes, in numerous special stages, and experience the #SpiritOfGS up close.

Once in a Lifetime
Seven days of pure adventure. Seven days that took two years of preparation. Seven days that change lives. Each rider only has one opportunity to take part in the International GS Trophy. But it is not a classic race – these intense challenges, in which participants demonstrate their knowledge and riding prowess, are all about team spirit and skill. And the journey is made memorable by nights in the tent under the stars, unique landscapes and cultures, as well as new friends from all over the world – the #SpiritOfGS doesn’t get much better than this.

National qualifiers – The chance for the adventure

A foretaste of the International GS Trophy will be provided by the national qualifiers, where there will be a separate ranking for men and women for the first time. The riders who best master rough terrain, navigation exercises with the GPS and knowledge questions about the GS can secure one of the coveted places in the national team and thus a ticket to Albania. However, who are the most team-minded and skilled endurists in the world will be decided in Albania. You can find more information about qualifying on the respective country page.

CLCIK HERE TO VISIT YOUR NATION’S QUALIFIER PAGE:
https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/experience/stories/adventure/gs-trophy-2022.html

Check Out the Location Reveal Video on YouTube:

Documentary
Behind the scenes in New Zealand
Eight days, 22 teams, 2,500 kilometres: These are the hard facts of the 2020 International GS Trophy in New Zealand. To find out how big the organisation effort and support team was, how many spare parts travelled to the other end of the world, and how the navigation devices were charged on the go, see our three-part documentary on Amazon Prime (available in Germany, Great Britain and the USA).

WATCH ON AMAZON PRIME: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J8F2M65

from https://www.indyrepnews.com

(First Published in the Ellsworth County Independent/
Reporter, September 23, 2021)

ORDINANCE NO. 2021-O-02

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE USE OF OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES (ALSO KNOWN AS ‘DIRT BIKES’) ON THE STREETS OF KANOPOLIS, KANSAS, AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE SAME.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF KANOPOLIS, ELLSWORTH COUNTY, KANSAS:
The purpose of this Ordinance is to protect the health, safety, property and well-being of the citizens of Kanopolis by regulating the use of off-road motorcycles in the city which may endanger the safety of persons driving, bicycling or walking on the roads, the safety of motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, the safety of its operators, and which may disturb the use and enjoyment of land. This section shall apply throughout the city, both on and off streets and highways and on all public and private land.

• Sec. 1. – Definition.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Off-road motorcycle or dirt bike means any motorized nonhighway vehicle traveling on two tires, and having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator, and/or any motorcycle licensed for highway travel being utilized off of a street, roadway or improved surface.

• Sec. 2. – Unsafe use of off-road motorcycles prohibited.
The following practices constitute unsafe use of off-road motorcycles in the city:
(1) Use of an off-road motorcycle one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise without headlights and rear lights installed and illuminated.
(2) Use of an off-road motorcycle without a rearview mirror.
(3) Use of an off-road motorcycle without a warning device such as a horn.
(4) Use of an off-road motorcycle with more than one person on the seat, unless the seat has been specifically designed by the manufacturer to hold more than one person. In no case shall there be more passengers than the off-road motorcycle is designed to carry.
(5) Use of an off-road motorcycle without the driver and passengers wearing protective headgear. The headgear must conform with minimum standards of construction and performance as proscribed by the National Standards Institute specification Z90.1 or by the federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 218.
(6) Use of an off-road motorcycle by a driver under the age of 14.
(7) Operating an off-road motorcycle that is not equipped at all times with an effective and suitable muffling device on its engine to effectively deaden or muffle the noise of the exhaust. Each off-road motorcycle must meet noise emission standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and in no case exceed 82 decibels of sound pressure level at 50 feet on the “A” scale as measured by the SAE standards.
(8) Operating an off-road motorcycle that is not equipped at all times with a working spark arrester.
(9) Operation of off-road motorcycle at speeds greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions.
(10) Operating an off-road motorcycle in violation of ordinances or regulations applicable to motor vehicles, except as expressively permitted by the article, or in reckless manner in such a way as to recklessly create a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person.
(11) Operating an off-road motorcycle in a manner so as to endanger any person or property.
(12) Operating an off-road motorcycle in such a manner as to create an excessive amount or introduction into the air of dust, dirt or other particulate or substance.
(13) Operating an off-road motorcycle in any manner that would harass game or domestic animals.
(14) The operation of an off-road motorcycle by a child under the age of 18 without the immediate and visual supervision of an adult.

• Sec. 3. – Restricted operation of off-road motorcycles.
Except as this Ordinance specifically permits and authorizes, no person shall operate a dirt bike or other off-road motorcycle vehicle within the city limits:
(1) On the portion of any right-of-way of any public highway, street, road, trail or alley used for motor vehicle travel, unless the motorcycle is fully licensed for highway use.
(2) On a public sidewalk provided for pedestrian travel.
(3) On private property of another without the specific expressed permission of the owner or person in control of the property.
(4) On any property owned by the City of Kanopolis or on any other public property, including parks and recreational areas, except by special event issued permit.
(5) Within 100 feet of any school, park, pedestrian, utility work, or construction area where the operation would conflict with use or endanger other persons or property.
(6). In or on a railroad right-of-way

• Sec. 4. – Responsibilities of parents and landowners.
(a) Parents and responsible adults. It shall be a violation of this division for any parent, guardian, or adult with supervisory responsibility to permit a child less than 18 years of age to operate an off-road motorcycle in a manner prohibited by this Ordinance.
(b) Landowners. It shall be a violation of this division for any landowner or rightful possessor of real property to suffer or permit the operation of off-road motorcycles on property that they own or possess as prohibited or in a manner prohibited by this ordinance.

• Sec. 5. – Violations and penalties.
(a) Upon a first conviction for a violation of sections 2 and 3, the court shall assess a fine of no less than $50.00. Upon a second conviction, the court shall issue a fine of no less than $200.00. Upon a third or subsequent conviction, the court shall issue a fine of no less than $350.00. No prior conviction shall be considered in determining the penalty to be assessed if 24 months have elapsed between the date of the violation and the date of the conviction next immediately preceding the sentencing date.
(b) No person shall be eligible for a parole, suspension or reduction of any part of a fine except that portion of any fine or combination of fines that exceeds $200.00 assessed from the same set of operative facts may be suspended for 12 months on the condition the violator have no further violations of the ordinance during that period.
(c) Each occurrence of a violation constitutes a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.

• Sec. 6. Standard Traffic Ordinance. A person operating an off-road motorcycle within the corporate limits of the City shall be required to follow all rules and regulations as set forth in the “Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities” as prepared and published in book form by the League of Kansas Municipalities, Topeka, Kansas, as adopted by the governing body.

• Sec. 7. – Enforcement.
This division shall be enforced by the city police department.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the Governing Body, this 14th day of September, 2021.

CITY OF KANOPOLIS

By: Edward A. Hopkins, Mayor

(SEAL)

ATTEST:

Deborah Kralik, City Clerk

1t 9/23

On September 30th, numerous highway funding programs will expire unless Congress acts. Currently, there are two separate and dramatically different highway bills in Congress. These bills go by many different names but are often referred to as infrastructure bills by the news media.

The first bill, passed by the House of Representatives in June with a price tag of $750 billion dollars includes six priorities of the MRF.

• Continued ban on NHTSA lobbying in the states
• 32% Increase of Motorcycle Safety Training Funds
• Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council at the Department of Transportation
• Increased restrictions on motorcycle only check points and the profiling of bikers
• Inclusion of the types of vehicles stopped to federally collected data on traffic stops
• Inclusion of the ability to detect and respond to motorcycles as a requirement of autonomous vehicle studies

The Senate bill passed in August, with a cost of 1.2 trillion includes just three of those priorities.

• Continued ban on NHTSA lobbying in the states
• 32% Increase of Motorcycle Safety Training Funds
• Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council at the Department of Transportation

There are four potential outcomes. First, the Senate can pass the House bill. This is unlikely as Senators have been forceful in their desire to take the lead on infrastructure. Second, the two chambers can merge their bills together, finding common ground. This too is unlikely as it is time consuming, and the deadline is fast approaching. Third, the House can vote on the Senate bill. Speaker Pelosi has scheduled a vote for next week to try this path.

However, members of her party have voiced their concerns over moving this piece of legislation until they get a larger 3.5 trillion-dollar bill focused on what many are calling “human infrastructure.” If that vote fails the fourth option comes into play, which is another extension of the current law for weeks, months or years.

The next few days will be critical in the fight to make bikers a priority in our transportation system. Stay tuned and we will update you as events unfold in Washington, D.C.

MRF website at http://mrf.org

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders.

event: NHDRO Mid-Season Nationals presented by Green Bay Anodizing
when: August 27-29, 2021
where: U.S.131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Michigan,USA

It was a motorcycle drag racing family reunion as NHDRO set up at beautiful U.S.131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, for the Mid-Season Nationals presented by Green Bay Anodizing on August 27-29.

NHDRO’s Shootout Friday kicked the party off, and at the end of the BB Racing Super Comp Shootout there was a familiar name on the $3300 Big Check in the winners circle—Tom Klemme.

And so it was on Friday as Klemme won the weekend’s biggest shootout, beating Robert “The” Mann in the all-Kawasaki dragbike final. Mann’s own Kawasaki is about a decade newer than Klemme’s and as sharply dressed as Z.Z. Top.

Kyron Drake’s wild rides to the Ryan Schnitz Racing Road Course win bode well for this class’s future as a racer and fan favorite. Riding a rough and ready, so old it had a MIRock sticker on the swingarm, all-black MSP Gen2 Suzuki Hayabusa, Drake started the excitement with an enormous dry hop wheelie in round 1. “Whoa! I didn’t see that coming!” said NHDRO’s Brian Welch, his eyes as wide as Worldwide Bearings.

Drake’s pass was just as exciting after the finishline as it was before the start, as he misjudged U.S.131’s shutdown area. As you approach the gate to enter U.S.131, there’s a sign that reads “Pavement Ends,” and the same sign might be used before the track’s uphill gravel trap. It was late in the game that Drake realized it, in fact, wasn’t pavement.

“He was sitting up on the tank trying to get it stopped!” laughed MSP builder/tuner Joe Marasco as he replaced the bike’s brake fluid. “Up on the tank like a stunt rider!”

“What? You don’t care about me!” mocked a shocked Drake.

NHDRO boss Welch added a new layer of competition to the class, involving a Street Outlaws-style list, side bets, guardians, challenges, etc. “I think this new stuff that Brian has added is going to really appeal to racers,” said Chicago area racer/promoter Mark Mueller. “They’re really gonna like it.”

Mueller was there to help Grothus Dragbikes/Klemme Performance Motorcycles Pro Ultra 4.60 racer Dan McCarten, and at one point asked this photographer “How come Dan’s picture never gets posted?”

“He’s gotta win the race,” was the reply, and the team must have taken that simple wisdom to heart. McCarten qualified number one and did, in fact, win the race.

McCarten won both ends of the final against Les Stimac, hitting the tree with a .005 and the stripe at 4.609.

“Going into U.S.131, I was on the heels of several losses in Iowa totaling less than a hundredth of a second,” said McCarten. “On the positive side, the entire combination of man and machine was on the edge of success without the sprinkles. Sprinkles are for winners, family rule.

“Unloading in Michigan with confidence that had taken a beating for two years, it all came together. A couple of test hits revealed a failing clutch which was swapped out before Q1. The result yielded a too-quick 4.56. A slight tune-up adjustment for Q2 dropped it on a tight 4.612 out the back door. Good enough for the top spot at the moment. Another minimal tweak yielded another 4.5999 for Q3. Who says you can’t do that two events in a row?

“When Brian Welch granted the class a Q4 shot it was game-on. Changing nothing but riding techniques for Q4 and some dumb luck, we dropped a 4.604 to seal the number one spot for the event. Step one complete.

“We finally got some damn sprinkles! It originally came fairly easy, then came a couple of years of struggles as the class took serious leaps in technology, commitment, and abilities across the board.

“I can’t thank my heart and soul Michelle Curtis enough for her faith in me to see it through when I’d had enough. For my go-to guy, Mark Mueller, for always having my back whenever he’s asked. And for the support and help from the Fast Time Motorsports family and Billy Vose for guidance with some critical areas.

Like McCarten in 4.60, Eric Yost won the start and the stripe in the M2.Shocks 8.70 Quick Street final. Neither number was stellar, but both enough to do the job. Yost’s .056 light gave him and his Kawasaki ZX14 a .009 advantage over Marty White at the start, and his 8.81 was .017 was closer to the 8.70 index.

“It was a long time coming, and its proof it takes a team to win!” said Yost. “My team is the best, they push and support me through everything on and off the track.

“I’d like to thank MedPro for the sponsorship; Rowe Racing—if you want to win you need them; Port-Tech for the engine setup; Dave Page for the rebuild; Matt Savage, my crew chief; Gina, Toni, and Maryann for keeping us racers fed; my mom, my biggest cheerleader; my uncle John watching over me from above with my dad; most of all my wife Karen. She lets me do what I need and spend what I want while she holds the fort down! So many more people I need to thank! Like I said, ‘team’ is what it takes to win!”

Yost beat number one qualifier Phillip Humphrey in round three.

Saturday night’s highlight was the Stock Wheelbase Shootout, another no-time class which saw Road Course winner Drake in another final on another MSP ‘Busa. His opponent was Indy racer Dustin “I used to be Naked Boy” Clark on a borrowed Kawasaki ZX14.

Clark was slow to launch, but Drake had to short-shift out of a wheelie in the first 60 feet and Clark was able to drive around for the win.

“I would like to thank RSR for loaning me a bike, Tim Hailey for giving us the best coverage, and Brian Welch for putting on the class,” said Clark. “I wish more people were into stock wheelbase racing so we could have a big turnout.”

Schnitz Racing Top Gas 8.20 racer “Kounselor” Kenny Schwartz will get to hold on to the $500 bonus he’s paying to the Top Gas winner, as it was one of two classes that didn’t finish when a sudden shower thoroughly soaked the track and knocked out power to the tower late Sunday afternoon.

Doug Fisher and David Bashera will run the Top Gas final when the NHDRO family gathers at Norwalk on September 17-19. Donnie Emerson was number one qualifier.

Hey Kenny, what’s the interest on $500 for three weeks?

Advanced Sleeve Dirty 30 9.30 is the other class that didn’t finish, and Joe Klemme and Rylan Rowe will also race that final in Norwalk. Jim Swanger was the Dirty 30 number one qualifier.

Joe Klemme was going a lot of rounds in many classes on Sunday. “He’s holding up the family honor,” quipped his brother Tom, whose success for the weekend was largely over after Friday

And when the tree came down for the BB Racing Super Comp 8.90 final with Greg Mallett, Joe’s chances were looking good. His .018 light bested Mallet’s .033, but a 9.08 wasn’t going to cut it against Mallett’s 8.99

Top Gas finalist Beshara was also the Super Comp number one qualifier. He lost to Jeremy Teasley in round two.

But Beshara wasn’t finished, and did ride his burnt orange “Frankenstein” ‘Busa to Saturday’s MPS Pro ET win. David’s.002 light vs. Jack Foster’s .049 pretty well sealed the deal in the final, finished off when he ran 8.91 on his 8.89 dial while Foster ran 9.13 on a 9.11.

“Let’s start by saying it was hot as hell this past weekend,” said Beshara. “I had my wife with me to help with the bikes and she did more then I thought was possible. She rode both bikes back all weekend as I pushed them back to the pit. She put fuel in both bikes and helped me stay cool in the staging lanes with an umbrella. Without her, I would have been lost.

“Friday’s Shootout didn’t go as planned. Second round I raced my teammate Jeremy Teasley. I had a bad light to Jeremy’s almost perfect light and lost.

“Now it’s Saturday and it’s a new race day. I made it to victory lane and it was great to have my wife at the track to take it all in. It takes a lot of work just to get to the race. She sees me out in the shop many nights between races working and preparing to go race and this is the first time for us to be in the winners circle together. That was worth all the hard work.

“By Sunday I was so over the heat and humidity, but as racers do we kept pushing. I lost to Mike Mullendore in the quarterfinals in Pro ET. Top Gas was a whole new experience for me this past weekend. I have been working on the new bike that was added just for Top Gas for the last two seasons. With last year being a shortened season due to COVID, I didn’t learn much about the new bike, outfitted with a Maxx ECU. We finally have a tune-up that works for Top Gas, and Doug Fisher and I will run the finals in Norwalk.”

After beating Beshara, Mullendore went on to beat Joe Klemme in Sunday’s Pro ET final—yet another final for Klemme.

The race started out close enough. Klemme left first with an .026, bested a bit by Mullendore’s .021. It was just as tight at the finish as well, with Klemme posting a 9.316 on a 9,30, and Mullendore lighting the winlight with an 8.906 on his 8.89.

“First and foremost, all the glory goes to God!” said Mullendore. “We had a great weekend at NHDRO. Brian and Niki Welch, I can’t thank you enough! You’ve always treated us very well, even if I was a little full of attitude. Sorry Brian!

“To all my family and friends that have helped, supported, and cheered for us, it means so very much!

“So many tough competitors to face and it feels awesome to know we can be competitive with the best of best!”

Mullendore then thanked a vast list, including but not limited to his mom, dad, sister and her family, Jay Eshbach and Team APE, Dustin Lee’ Hard Times Parts & Service, David Liguori, Tim Robinson and Robinson Industries, Carrillo Rods, MTC Engineering, Web Cams, Marcus McBain of M2.Shocks, Greg Mallett and the Mallett Magnet, and many, many more.

Life-long Hoosier Todd “Bounty Hunter” Smith expressed great pride last June when he was able to get to the U.S.131 winners circle against the NHDRO field. He did it again on Saturday night, beating one of the absolute best of the best— Kevin Adams—in the Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET final.

Kevin’s unusually poor .073 light set the stage for Smith’s .020 to open up a win. Todd made it exciting, running a 9.26 on his 9.20 while Adams was only one number over with a 9.37 on a 9.36.

“At times I feel like I’m living a working man’s dream,” said Smith. “I’m totally grateful. My adult son had made the last-minute decision to come up and race, and that meant the world to me to have him in the winners’ circle. You live for the short moments in life. The pictures and memories of this past weekend will never be forgotten. Thank you to the Brian Welch family for working so hard and putting on a great event.

“And thanks to Kevin Dennis Insurance for sponsoring the class. Kevin’s been my insurance man for 15 years and also sponsored a Little League team I coached.”

Leaving first, Justin Blackford had a better reaction time (.024) vs. Jeremy Teasley’s .046 in Sunday’s Street ET final. But OH! Blackford broke out with a 9.31 on his 9.33 dial while Teasley ran an easy 8.97 on his 8.94.

“It was a HOT but great race by NHDRO. Brian, and Niki,” said Teasley.

“For the first time my bike wasn’t fast enough. Never had to turn it up that much. Was really focused on Top Gas and Super Comp, got in Street ET just to get some laps and somehow won!

“Then Saturday I had a grudge race with Alex Schnitz with scooters he beat up on me! Looking forward to Norwalk, haven’t been there in a few years.”

Skylar Bremer won Hard Times Parts & Service Jr. Dragster over Eli Edwards, and “Rowdy” Rhonda Jones won the Scooter race over Steve “Uzzi” Uzl.

VooDoo Grudge saw some wild, freeform action in between all the Shootouts and late-night bracket racing.