The AMA/AHDRA All-American motorcycle drag racing series crowned its third year of champions in the Bill and Crissy Rowe era, despite battling some serious weather set-backs. 

The season started with a Gainesville opener that was shortened by shutdown weepers on a beautiful sunny day. A rare Rockingham rain cancellation initiated the first-ever AHDRA/AMRA combined McClure Nationals. And finally, a Florida State of Emergency brought on by Hurricane Nicole canceled the Gainesville Finals. Sometimes, that’s the luck.

But champions persevere, and AHDRA recognizes their best, fifth in a series:

Native Tennessean John Terry is one of a few 2023 AHDRA champions that only recently took up the sport. “Last year was my rookie year, with my first race being Bowing Green,” said Terry, who lives in nearby White House, Tennessee, and took the Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson 9.90 crown this year. “Made it to the semifinals with Donnie Huffman and Heather Jendruch. Finished in third place, lost to Donnie with a terrible red light. I was hooked at that point. Finished the season with a first place finish at The Rock!

“At that time I had only one Destroyer but decided to purchase a second one in the ‘21-’22 off-season so that I could run both AMRA and AHDRA. We made all the races with the exception of Sturgis and the last race that was canceled in Gainesville. As you know, they allow you to use your best six races for the season and we had just that.

“I really hated the cancellation of Gainesville, as Todd Hayworth and myself were only 17 points difference for the championship and we both were so excited to make the last race the deciding factor. We are great friends and very competitive. I consider them like family.

“I will say that racing the AHDRA and the AMRA was a tremendous amount of work and scheduling, however it was worth every ounce of energy used not only for the thrill of racing but to be with so many awesome people that make the sport what it is—just amazing. So much love and respect to all those persons that make every event possible from venue owners, promoters, track personnel, racers and families, and those that take the time to snap all the awesome photos and write the articles to keep this sport alive. I am truly thankful for all of you.

“Finally, the event at Rockingham this year was absolutely fantastic. We were defending last year’s first place finish, however we finished as runner-up to an awesome competitor—Heather Jendruch. That weekend and finish kept team Stip T’s in first place and the 2022 AHDRA Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson 9.90 index Championship.”

story and photo by Tim Hailey