AHDRA Southern Michigan Bike Fest

event: AHDRA Southern Michigan Bike Fest when: July 29-31, 2022 where: Milan Dragway, Michigan, USA AHDRA All-American motorcycle drag racing provided the mid summer thunder with the Southern Michigan Bike Fest at reborn Milan Dragway on July 29-31, and Bad Apple Racing’s Tracy Kile thundered the longest. Top Fuel winner Kile wasn’t the fastest dog all weekend but kept the candles lit across the line each and every pass—most importantly in the final. “Our motor was hurt all weekend,” said Kile. “I was the only guy that went down the track all six passes, and it probably was because I was a little underpowered. 6.60 And .70 was really as quick as that bike was going to run all weekend.” Kile’s performance problem was a lack of good sealing rings that has plagued the class and it’s enormous pistons. “You know, we’re all struggling with this ring issue. It just ain’t sealing up good. When you come back from a pass, it’s got a bunch of nitro in the oil. You put two quarts in to race, you come back and you take four quarts out. You know that’s just slowing you down.” Still, Kile’s consistency qualified him number one with a 6.69 at 206 mph. Defending Top Fuel Champion Ryan Peery found good power and bite on raceday, though, and put down a couple .40s to establish himself as the performance leader. But when Peery and Kile met in the final, Ryan’s performance lasted only about 330 feet. “The bike dropped a hole first,” reported Peery. “Then idling down the track, the motor stopped completely. The motor cases bearing keeper backed out and locked the motor up. A burnt hole in a valve either caused the initial problem or was a result of the motor suddenly stopping. Good thing […]