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Mar 20
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A Breakthrough Top-Five Finish for Monster Energy rider Chris Blose

By General Posts

A Breakthrough Top-Five Finish for Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Chris Blose

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (March 19, 2023) – The Motown music echoed through snowy streets as Monster Energy® Supercross raced into the Motor City for Detroit SX, Round 10 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship. In the 250SX Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Chris Blose led the Team Green® charge with his first top-five result of the season. In the 450SX Class, Adam Cianciarulo led laps early in the Main Event until mid-race adversity relegated him and his Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Jason Anderson to eighth and ninth place at the checkered flag.

The opening laps of the first free practice session revealed that the Detroit SX track was set to give the top riders in the world all they could handle. The sharp whoop section and abundance of tight switchback turns proved further complicated by the unique terrain of deep ruts and a hard packed base layer. Blose was quick to assert his competence in the whoops as he mastered the most challenging section of the track and began to rival near the top of the leaderboard. In the final qualification session, Blose executed the track with precision and strung together several race simulated laps to log the seventh fastest lap time of the morning (53.393).

At the start of 250SX Heat 2, Blose emerged from the first turn in fifth with his sight set forward until an early-race mistake shuffled him back to eighth place. Blose regrouped by the end of Lap 2 and began to work his way up the running order. With superior whoop speed and consistent laps, the No.57 Kawasaki KX™250 rider overtook his rivals in rapid succession. Blose advanced through the field to challenge for fourth on the final lap before securing a fifth-place place result and earning a direct transfer to the Main Event.

When the gate dropped for the 250SX Main Event, Blose again launched out to a fifth-place start and quickly found his rhythm. With the championship points leaders ahead, Blose latched onto the pace of the front group and began to separate himself from the rest of the class. The veteran rider logged steady laps and was one of the few competitors continuing to blitz through the increasingly challenging whoop section in the late stages. With just four laps remaining, a near collision with a lapped rider forced Blose to get hard on his brakes and allowed former two-time MX2 World Champion Tom Vialle to close the distance between them. Blose proved his determination in the closing laps of the race as he fended off the world class pressure and earned his first top-five finish of the 2023 season in impressive fashion.

“The support of the Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team has been awesome as we’ve focused on building with each week of racing. I’ve improved my main event finish by one position at each of the last three races, so I’d say that process has been going really well. It was great to break into the top-five and show the hard work of this whole squad. Now, with a few weeks to prepare for Atlanta, we should be even more ready to challenge at the front of the pack.” – Chris Blose

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The Monster Energy® Kawasaki duo of Anderson and Cianciarulo took to the track with a clear purpose for the opening 450SX Free Practice as they quickly dialed in the course and began experimenting with alternate rhythms. As the qualification sessions progressed, both Kawasaki KX™450SR riders honed in on the ideal racing line and ramped up their intensity. Anderson, the second fastest qualifier of the morning (51.491), was edged out for pole position by less than a tenth of a second, and Cianciarulo followed close on his heels with the fourth fastest lap (51.927).

When the gate dropped for 450SX Heat 1, Anderson rocketed out to the holeshot and immediately extended a gap from the field by tripling through the opening section. Cianciarulo emerged from the first turn in ninth but thrilled the crowd as he made quick work of the competition and passed his way into third before the end of the second lap. While Cianciarulo continued his pursuit of second place, Anderson set sail out front to lead every lap of the race and secure a commanding heat race win; the 33rd 450SX Heat Win of his career. Cianciarulo’s charge through the pack earned him third at the finish.

The Kawasaki duo lined up for the 450SX Main Event with first gate pick for the No. 21 of Anderson. When the gate dropped, the KX™450SR was out to the early lead, but this time it was Cianciarulo at the tip of the spear. The No.9 Kawasaki rider commanded the start of the race with the championship contenders all hot on his trail. Anderson, racing ahead from an eighth-place start, was pushing the pack forward while Cianciarulo fought to defend his lead. The intensity of the front battle increased and Cianciarulo was shuffled to sixth on Lap 4. Cianciarulo and Anderson matched pace for several laps in sixth and seventh until Anderson crashed exiting the whoop section and dropped back to 10th. Meanwhile, Cianciarulo was pushing his way forward and inching back into contention for the top-five battle until he too made a mistake and crashed over the rutted step-on-step-off section. The Monster Energy® Kawasaki teammates both continued to charge to the finish and reclaimed positions late in the race for respective eighth and ninth place finishes at the checkered flag.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m a little frustrated about my fall in the Main Event, but there are so many positives to focus on from the day that I know we’re making progress. This dirt was tricky to find comfort on, but I had a solid run in qualifying this morning and backed it up with a good ride in the Heat Race. In the Main, I led some laps early and, once I settled in behind Kenny (Roczen), I was able to stay right there with those guys. Unfortunately, that one mistake cost me a few positions, but we’ll focus forward to Seattle and aim to tie it at all together.” – Adam Cianciarulo

“My day started out strong with good times in qualifying and I knew my KX™450SR was in a good spot to be competitive on this track. I grabbed the holeshot in my Heat Race and led start to finish, so the goal was to carry that into the Main Event. I started a little further back in the top 10 and then, while trying to battle my way forward, I got close with Adam in the whoops and just lost it. After I got up from the crash everything was pretty tweaked, so I focused on making the most of it and salvaged what I could for a top-10.” – Jason Anderson

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Get inspired by World’s Fastest Panhead book for upcoming Bonneville Salt Flats Land Speed records this season !!! Click to view the all-new 5-Ball Racing Shop.

Oct 05
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Nitro Top Fuel Harley Party Returns to Cecil County

By General Posts

event: AHDRA Mid-Atlantic Nitro Showdown presented by Zipper’s Performance Products
when: October 7-9, 2022
where: Cecil County Dragway, Rising Sun, Maryland, USA

Anyone who attended last year’s AHDRA All-American motorcycle drag racing series stop at Cecil County Dragway knows that this is one explosive motorsports event. Nothing beats the violent thrust of a big Top Fuel nitro V-Twin engine, and this is the time and place to see these incredible motorcycles, the burly men who ride them, and the biker lifestyle that surrounds them.

Last year’s winner Tracy Kile and his Bad Apple Racing teammates Dr. Jimmy “Mack” McMillan and Frank “Brother” Capone headline a field that includes 2020 AHDRA champ Rich Vreeland, NHRA record holder Bob Malloy, Billy “Jack” Jackson, country gentleman Ziggy Schwartz and more.

Veteran racer Larry “Grey Ghost” Stanley will be honored at this event for his dedication to Nitro Harley racing.

Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike champion Michael Balch will be taking on all comers in the high gear-only class, while the Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel carbureted class will see it’s usual slew of competitors. Milan winner Phil Lower, Rocky Jackson, Jim Martin, and Sam White are just some of the racers expected to attend, and Bad Apple’s Mary Dangrow will make her nitro debut.

Gasoline can be just as exciting as nitro, especially when burned in no-bar, street tire bikes. Charging Charley Douglass took the Milan Dragway GMS Racing Engines Xtreme Outlaw win in an all-turbo final, and expect that kind of action again at Cecil County. If we’re lucky, the seldom seen nitrous badass Mike Motto will make this one.

Super popular Baggers are expected in force, including Jason Broski and his all-motor Horsepower Inc. Pro Outlaw Bagger Milan winner, and Super Stock and V-Twin Powersports Hot Rod Baggers

Pro classes MTC Pro Comp Outlaw, Zippers Performance Pro Modified, and Pingel Modified will see V-Twins stretching their connecting rods to the max, including riders John Price, George Futch, Kimberly DeShields, Gary Douglass, Shayne Pendergrast and more.

Sportsman classes are the backbone of every drag racing organization, and AHDRA welcomes gobs of them. Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson Super Gas 9.90, Universal Fleet & Tire 10.90, 11:50 index, Super Pro 10.30, and Eliminator will all throw down. Racers Brad Cronenberger, Chris Phipps, Cody Rozeski, John Terry, Clayton Danford, Heather Van Fleet and many more will be cutting lights and taking stripes.

Dreaming of drag racing your own American made V-Twin for the first time? Then Trophy class is for you! Put on your appropriate safety gear and get prepared to stage your beast!

And the coolest thing that has happened at AHDRA in 2022? That would be the return of Junior Dragbikes!

Download the “Cecil Dragway” App from either the Apple or Android App Store and follow each round live. Your friends and family can follow your progress through each round.

Test and Tune from 6:00-10:00 pm on Friday, gates open at 10:00am. Qualifying begins at 11:00 am on Saturday, raceday opening ceremonies at 11:00 am Sunday. Admission is $25 for a day, $45 for a 2 day pass, or $55 for all 3 days

Bill and Chrissy Rowe look forward to welcoming the AHDRA family to one of their most popular stops on the calendar—Cecil County Dragway. Do not miss this event!

The AHDRA website is at http://raceahdra.com/

For more information, email AHDRA’s Bill Rowe at bcrowe92891@gmail.com

AHDRA is owned by Pulse Marketing, the motorsports promotion company run by veteran drag racer Rowe and his family.

AHDRA thanks Cox Double Eagle Harley-Davidson, Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson, Gainesville Harley-Davidson , MTC Engineering , Hawaya Racing, Pingel Enterprise, GMS Racing Engines, Zippers Performance, Horsepower Inc., Vanson Leathers , Universal Fleet & Tire, IHDRA, V-Twin Powersports, Daryl Coffin Motorsports, All-Harley World Shootout, Axtell Cylinders and Racers For Christ.

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Build your own Race Machine – Click to view 5-Ball Racing Shop for books, drag racing history DVD and cool leathers

How to Build a Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle documents the construction of “The Worlds Fastest Panhead,” conceived and assembled by Keith Ball, former editor or Easyriders magazine and current owner of Bikernet.com, the most popular biker stop on the internet.

 

Jul 23
Love0

Bandit’s Salt Torpedo: Prepping for Bonneville 2022

By General Posts


Chapter 25 of latest Bonneville Effort by 5-Ball Racing
by Bandit

Getting Ready for the Salt
We’re beginning to prep the Salt Torpedo for the BMST event from August 27 until September 2 in Bonneville, Utah on 65-square miles of salt.

This event will take place just a couple of weeks after the historic Bonneville Speed Trials for everything on wheels. The BMST was developed by Dennis Manning solely for us grubby bikers.

I had to dig up and test various chain hoists and trolly apparatus to work with our new gantry in Sturgis, South Dakota.
–Bandit

CLICK HERE To Read this Photo Feature. Latest Action from 5-Ball Racing.

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Check Out 5-Ball Racing success & build your own Land Speed record (click here)

How to Build a Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle documents the construction of “The Worlds Fastest Panhead”

Jan 24
Love0

Save the Salt – Bonneville Report

By General Posts

5-Ball Racing and Bikernet.com set a record with the Salt Shaker, Valerie Thompson (her first) and Barry Wardlaw. Top speed 151.5 in 2006.

Restore Bonneville hopes new data will speed salt flat replenishment

The ongoing pursuit to preserve the Bonneville Salt Flats has scored another victory and SEMA, along with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Utah Geological Survey (UGS), and Intrepid Potash Inc. marked more progress in restoring the area’s precious salt.

A new well installed in the summer of 2021, along with equipment that will collect data on evaporation, will inform the preservation and replenishment of the salt flats as the Restore Bonneville program kicks off.

CLICK HERE To Read about the unique Salt Flats – it’s lot more than a speed test ground

How to Build a Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle documents the construction of “The Worlds Fastest Panhead,” conceived and assembled by Keith Ball, former editor or Easyriders magazine and current owner of Bikernet.com, the most popular biker stop on the internet.

CLICK HERE To Buy the Book – visit the 5-Ball Racing Shop

Nov 18
Love0

World’s Fastest Electric Motorcycle Upgraded, to Break Its Own Records

By General Posts

World’s Fastest Electric Motorcycle Has Been Upgraded, Wants to Break Its Own Records
from https://www.autoevolution.com by Cristina Mircea

The fastest electric motorcycle in the world aims to become even faster. Voxan recently unveiled its new and improved Wattman.

Venturi-owned electric motorcycle brand Voxan designed the Wattman with one goal in mind: to set new world speed records. The bike was initially supposed to prove its abilities on the biggest salt flat on Earth, in Bolivia. However, the global health crisis changed everyone’s plans, and the Wattman had to settle for breaking 11 world speed records on the runway at the Chateauroux airfield in France. Nevertheless, it achieved an incredible speed of 408 kph (253.5 mph), with world champion Max Biaggi at the helm.

But that was in the fall of 2020, and Voxan knows there’s always room for improvement. That is why the company announced a new version of the Wattman, which has just kicked off its first ultra-high-speed tests at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility (Kennedy Space Center), one of the longest runways in the world, with a length of 15,000 ft (4.5 km).

Voxan brought some significant upgrades to the new Wattman in terms of weight, stability, and power. This new version weighs under 300 kg (661 lb), allowing it to compete in a new category. Voxan used a new battery design for its latest bike, both mechanical and electric, created in partnership with French manufacturer Saft.

Stability has been improved with the new Wattman, as the modified motorcycle now features an increased wheelbase of 1,957 mm (77 in) from 1,800 mm (70.8 in) with the previous version. The seat height has also been increased from 610 mm (24 in) to 685 mm (26.9 in). Voxan equipped the bike with custom-designed Michelin tires tailored to endure extremely high speeds.

In terms of performance, the new Wattman, which relies on the Mercedes EQ Formula E powertrain, can now deliver powers of 320 kW (429 HP), as opposed to 270 kW (362 HP), for the previous version. As for the torque, it has also increased at 1,360 Nm.

If everything goes according to schedule, the new Wattman will once again attempt to break its own records within the first six months of 2022.

PRESS RELEASE – 15 NOVEMBER 2021

Electric motorcycle brand Voxan, owned by high-performance electric vehicle specialist Venturi, presents the new Wattman. With world champion Max Biaggi at the controls, the brand is setting out to conquer yet more world speed records.

Closer to the stars
The Voxan Wattman was initially due to make its attempts on a Bolivian salt flat in July 2020, but the pandemic made travel impossible, and so it was on the runway at the Châteauroux airfield in France that the team broke 11 world speed records a year ago.

Asphalt proved to be an interesting surface, so the Wattman – modified accordingly – will continue its schedule on another strip. This time, the venue will be the Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center (Florida, USA), where, from Monday 15 November, the first ultra-high-speed tests will get underway.

Weight – stability – power
The Wattman is now under 300 kilos in weight, allowing it to compete in this category. The weight difference is primarily down to a new Voxan-Saft battery design, which is both mechanical and electric. Saft, the French subsidiary of TotalEnergies, specialises particularly in high-performance, very high-power batteries. The pouch cells used make it possible to increase the batteries’ power by nearly 80 times, compared with around 10 times for standard products on the market. They are assembled in modules, enabling cooling to be managed with a recently patented process, resulting in an ultra-compact construction.

The bike continues to rely on the Mercedes EQ Formula E powertrain, which delivers power of 320 kW (compared with 270 kW for the previous version) and offers torque of 1,360 Nm.

Other notable differences compared with the previous Wattman include the motorcycle’s dimensions: to improve stability and air penetration, the wheelbase has been increased to 1,957 mm (from 1,800 mm previously) and the seat height is now 685 mm (up from 610 mm). In the event of significant crosswinds, the team will now have the flexibility to add a fairing that cuts wind resistance.

As for the tyres, longstanding partner Michelin has worked on designs specifically tailored to this challenge. The front 120/70-17 is a tyre from the MICHELIN Power GP range, which has been modified to tolerate extremely high speeds. For the rear 190/55-17, Michelin has relied on technology that has been proven in MotoGP to develop a tyre with improved grip. The challenge was to channel all of the extraordinary torque delivered by the Wattman’s electric engine, allowing the motorcycle to accelerate as fast as possible without skidding.

Once the new Wattman is ready, further world record attempts will be made – certainly within the first six months of 2022. As they did last year, Max Biaggi and Voxan will seek to beat the clock with two types of motorcycles in two separate categories: “partially streamlined” (traditional sports bike) and “naked” (roadster with no streamlined elements).

Jun 23
Love0

WMC Electric Motorcycle Aims At New Speed Record

By General Posts

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

WMC Electric Motorcycle Has Big Hole in It, Only Way to Set New Speed Record.

There’s a good chance the name White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) doesn’t ring any bells. Don’t worry, that will probably change as soon as next year, provided the company achieves its goal of setting a land speed record for electric motorcycles.

WMC is a British engineering company set up not long ago by British Formula One engineer Rob White. Its goal is to advance the adoption of electric drivetrains in the motorcycle industry not by coming up with some incredible battery or electric motor but by devising new aerodynamic tech that should better use the available power.

The tech in question, called V-Air, was inspired by the cars taking part in Formula 1 or Le Mans. It consists of a large duct at the center of the bike, in essence, a big hole running through it, designed to force air through the two-wheeler and not around it. This, says WMC, reduces aerodynamic resistance by as much as 70 percent compared to an unnamed “market-leading high performance road bike.”

V-Air is backed in the demonstrator motorcycle, called WMC250EV and unveiled on Wednesday, June 23, by a motor driving the front wheel and coupled to a regenerative braking system. There’s an additional final drive system on the bike, one that, according to the company, will not only boost power and enhance efficiency but could also be easily adapted for existing motorcycles.

The demonstrator will be put through its paces starting later this year, with White himself planning to mount the bike and race it around. The highpoint in the development of the V-Air is a run planned for next year on the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, the largest of its kind in the world.

White believes his run should set the Motorcycle Electric Semi Streamliner British Record by taking the WMC250EV to over 250 mph (402 kph), which would be well above the 228 mph (367 kph) set by Max Biaggi on the Voxan Wattman last year.

Sep 10
Love2

Hunter Sills Racing Earns Four World Records and One U.S. National Record at the AMA

By General Posts

Hunter Sills Racing Earns Four World Records and One U.S. National Record at the AMA and FIM-Sanctioned Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials With Their BMW S 1000 RR Motorcycle

Associated Press | WENDOVER, Utah – September 10, 2019 – ( Newswire.com )

Hunter Sills Racing captured five records with its BMW S 1000 RR at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, during the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials event held Aug. 24–29, 2019. The team also earned Top Time of the Meet and Fastest Naturally Aspirated Motorcycle and increased the speed of their world’s fastest BMW motorcycle to 238.398 mph. Both riders, Erin Sills and Trev Richter of Hunter Sills Racing, earned 1000cc FIM records aboard a nitrous-powered BMW bike affectionately known as “Snoopy.”

With improving track conditions over the week, the team was able to set records early, then progressively improve them over the event. Ultimately, Sills piloted the Alpine Performance Centre-built BMW S 1000 RR to 237.287 mph to earn the FIM kilometer record in the faired, naturally aspirated 1000cc class; a record that was previously set in 2014 by her late husband Andy Sills, also of Hunter Sills Racing, at 221.863 mph. Erin was later able to improve her own FIM mile record set in 2018 on the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia at 229.265 mph, making the new mark 236.889 mph.

“After the poor track conditions presented by Mother Nature during Speedweek, we were looking forward to seeing how our bike would perform on a better course,” said Sills, rider and owner of Hunter Sills Racing. “Shane Kinderis of Alpine Performance Centre put together an incredible motor which performed beautifully with the Wizards of NoS nitrous system. I also found the AirTech fairing to be incredibly stable and grounded at speed.”

“Our senior race technician Curtice Thom worked alongside Shane Kinderis again, a pairing that has proven to be very successful over the years. They did an excellent job of keeping the bike in peak performance, and I’m very pleased with our results. As always, we owe a great amount of success with this project to our many technical partners,” added Gary Orr, owner of San Diego BMW Motorcycles and Hunter Sills Racing team member.

Richter, known previously for his “Race For Relief” charity effort World’s Fastest BMW GS (http://huntersillsracing.com/race-for-relief-2018/), also saw much success in his first event racing the BMW S 1000 RR, winning back a record the team lost in Bolivia in 2017 to Nick Genet. Richter increased the FIM and AMA 1000cc naturally aspirated un-faired (“naked”) mile record to 195.674 mph and the FIM kilometer record to 196.206 mph.

“Riding the over 275 horsepower motorcycle without a fairing presents a unique physical challenge, but the team gave me a bike and suspension set-up that enabled me to reach my goal of earning World and National records in my first event,” said Richter.

Hunter Sills Racing is also proud of its contributions to the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials racing community during the week. With the express permission of the Bureau of Land Management, the team built and donated a mock “Bonneville Salt Flats” sign which was installed at the entrance of the Salt Flats for the week-long event. Following the event, HSR auctioned the sign, earning $4,000 to benefit a fallen rider who needed help with medical bills. Erin Sills also continued her Shemoto Scholarship, awarding $2,000 to the Buell Sisters team of Ashley Woodford.

The next event for Hunter Sills Racing will be in support of the Women Riders World Relay, a year-long around-the-world journey of over 10,000 female motorcyclists. Erin Sills will participate in the WRWR’s United States relay Oct. 2-12, 2019.

The team would like to thank their sponsors who make all of this possible: Top 1 Oil, San Diego BMW Motorcycles, Alpine Performance Centre, Colorado ADVmoto, WomenRidersNow.com, BMW Motorrad USA, Helite Airbags, JBA Speed Shop, Motochic, Moto-Skiveez, Ohlins USA, PitBull Motorcycle Stands, Racer Gloves USA, Remus Exhaust, Schuberth Helmets, Sprint Filter, Wizards of NoS, Worldwide Bearings, and Wunderlich.

About Hunter Sills Racing:

Hunter Sills Racing is a female-owned professional land speed racing team including motor builder Shane Kinderis of Alpine Performance Centre, Gary Orr of San Diego BMW Motorcycles, race technician Curtice Thom, and riders Erin Sills and Trev Richter. The team races in memory of the late Andy Sills. Together, the team has earned over 40 World and National records, two Guinness World Book records, Mojave Mile 200 MPH Club membership, Mojave Magnum 200 MPH Club membership, BUB 201 MPH Club membership, Bonneville SCTA 200 MPH Club membership, El Mirage SCTA 200 MPH Club membership, top average mile speed to-date of 238 MPH, and title of World’s Fastest BMW. When not racing the Salt Flats, Richter and Sills both serve as off-road adventure motorcycle riding coaches. Erin Sills has been named 2013 Advertising Age Woman To Watch, 2014 American Motorcyclist Association Female Athlete of the Year, 2014 University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business Distinguished Alumni and is a retired executive with Facebook, Inc. A frequent speaker on behalf of the sport of motorcycling, Sills also serves on the board of directors for the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame Foundation, the FIM Women’s Commission, WomenRidersNow.com and is the founder of the Shemoto Scholarship for females in the sport.