Mickey Thompson Performance Tires MIRock Superbike Series
event: WPGC Bike Fest
when: July 19-21, 2013
where: Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, MD, USA
story and photos by Tim Hailey
Crowd favorite Nicole struts it on the MIR runway MORE BIKINI PHOTOS
Like the postman, Maryland International Raceway‘s WPGC Bike Fest always delivers the goods. A rain shower on Saturday only served to cool the racing surface for the world’s quickest streetbikes of the Mickey Thompson MIRock Superbike Series. By the time another shower fell Sunday night, nearly all racing was complete and the bike club, stunt, music, culture and lifestyle events that are hallmarks of the Bike Fest were in under the wire.
Rodney Williford launches “No Joke”
Orient Express Pro Street boiled down to a final round match-up between three-peat champ Rodney Williford and points leader Joey Gladstone. Williford’s own bike is getting revamped, so he was once again racing the Roger Starrette owned “No Joke” Haybusa in the day and testing Maltese racer Simon Giordmaina’s bike at night. Williford raced his way to the final, while with two broke byes and one earned, Gladstone waltzed in without ever facing an opponent.
Joey Gladstone and the DME ‘Busa were unable to parlay #1 Pro Street qualifier into a win
Maybe the lack of competition all day left Joey’s senses a bit dulled. Williford nailed him to the tree with a .015 light (to Gladstone’s .091), and when Joey wheelied luridly at 100 feet it seemed all but over. Once the bike settled, though, Gladstone laid on the “Don King” button for extra boost, powering the DME Hayabusa to 207 mph at the stripe. The heat of the day had Williford on and off the throttle in the other lane, but he kept up just enough momentum for a 7.28 to 7.26 holeshot win, some 13 mph slower than Gladstone.
While the MIRock Pro Street season championship has boiled down to a two-man race, 40 of the world’s quickest, fastest streetbikes are expected to fight it out at MIR’s $10,000 Pro Street “Battle Royale” coming up in October—the season and place of the world’s first 6 second streetbike pass.
Johnny “Turbo” Dobrin and his Exoticycle turbo ‘Busa. MORE REAL STREET PHOTOS
Over breakfast Saturday morning, DME Real Street champ Johnny “Turbo” Dobrin voiced his concern that the class had become a competition-stifling two-bike race between his Exoticycle turbo ‘Busa and multi-time champ Jeremy Teasley’s Starrette owned and tuned, nitrous-huffing Kawasaki ZX14.
No one bothered to tell Darion “Nanu” Payne that he and his Mike Mace Motorsports, nitrous Suzuki GSXR1000 weren’t players. His 7.85 slipped between number one qualifier Dobrin’s 7.83 and Teasley’s 7.86. Chris Moore wasn’t far behind with a 7.90 on another Starrette ’14.
Darion “Nanu” Payne and his Mike Mace Motorsports, nitrous Suzuki GSXR1000
Moore redlit against Ed Murphy in round 1, and Payne raced Teasley for the right to face Dobrin in the final. Teasley took an advantage at the tree, but the big ’14 wheelied and Payne advanced. His nitrous bike made a huge move on Dobrin’s turbo to the 60 foot, but Team Mace threw too many pills into the stew and the 1000 wheelied wildly at halftrack. While Nanu feathered the throttle in mid air, Johnny Turbo drove around for the win.
Ronnie Procopio and Dave Norris in the Pro Mod final
Bike Fest marked the return of Mickey Thompson Pro Mod and a condensed but elite field of eighth mile nitrous contenders. But Maryland native Ronnie Procopio showed that when it comes to MIR and the MIRock Superbike Series, nobody does it better. Procopio qualified number one with a 4.07 and stayed on top to take out fellow Marylander Dave Norris in the final.
Can anyone stop Jimmy Shifflett?! MORE SPORTSMAN WHEELIE BAR PHOTOS
“Hillbilly Hustler” Jimmy Shifflett has been virtually unstoppable in 2013, taking home nearly every sportsman trophy in sight. Sunday he won Trac King/APE Top Sportsman. Shifflett’s .029 light beat up on Kelly Clontz in the final.
Kelly Clontz paintin’ it pink
Don’t feel sorry for Clontz. She took the all-lady “Paint The 1/4 Pink” breast cancer fundraiser race on Saturday, besting Julie Lucas in the final. Veteran racers Clontz and Lucas were the two quickest qualifiers for the bracket-run race. Kelly also won Friday night’s Gambler’s Race, and was still alive in Fast by Gast Pro ET when rained halted the event. Clay Davies drew high card amongst the remaining seven for the trophy and a spot in November’s Tournament of Champions at Rockingham. Jay Windsor won Saturday’s Pro ET final over Kelly’s brother-in-law Gary Clontz.
Jay Windsor smokin’ the School Bus’ hides. MORE SPORTSMAN WHEELIE BAR PHOTOS
Former perrenial MIR Jr. Dragster champ Blair Buckler
Keeping it all in the Clontz family—sort of—Blair Buckler won Brock’s Performance Street ET on Saturday night wearing Chris Clontz’s leathers. Well, if Chris’ beaming smile and gleaming plate can’t be in the winners circle this time around, at least his suit can. Buckler beat Bob Carlson in the final, a remarkable achievement for Connecticut racer Carlson, who raced one of Rickey Gadson’s school bikes while his own ZX14 is down for repair. Sunday’s Street ET race got nixed by the rain after four rounds.
Kenny Cornnell once again channeled Gary Clark on his way to another 4.60 win. MORE PHOTOS
Two-time Rockingham Louis Concrete 4.60 eighth mile winner Kenny Cornnell added an MIR win to his résumé of the world’s quickest index bikes, beating May winner Ronnie Smith in the final.
FBR Shop 5.60 made it all the way to the final pair before the rain, where class sponsor Marion Ford would have met Robert Parker.
Parker was also still alive in MIRock Crazy 8s, as was “Fearsome” Andy Baumbach and MIR homeboy Shayne Proctor—who was plain Alive and Kicking. Shayne was aboard two entries still in Pro ET and was in Street ET as well.
Last but certainly not least, Williford’s daughter Shyann took the Eatmyink.com Big Wheel race during track prep for Saturday’s rain delay. Shyann stayed in the pedals despite an overly optimistic tune-up, wild spinning wheelies and hairily torqued chassis to beat Jayla Minor in the final. Sound familiar?
The always busy Richard Gadson on Bud Light Lime
Saturday night’s Psychobike.com Afterdark Undergound was a lively affair, with Richard Gadson lapping frequently and scoring a few wins on the always-shining Bud Light Lime.
Jesse Toler displayed deft control of his bike on MIR’s quarter mile
The Cycles of Silver Spring East Coast Stunt Jam was the best wheelie, stoppie, drift and burnout event ever held at Bike Fest, highlighted by endo world record holder Jesse Toler showing how he does it for 1320 on MIR’s quarter mile.
Reesa Renee rocked the crowd’s faces off
Up and coming R&B superstar Reesa Renee warmed up the crowd for the DC area’s absolute hottest bikini models and the International Bikini Team contest, MC’d and egged on by WPGC personalities DJ Flexx and Shack. Bikini bartenders dished out the Coors Light and the giant manufacturers’ midway showcased the latest in streetbike performance and bling technology. Speaking of bling, the blindingly glossy custom bike show delivered the lowest, fattest, most creative customs on the East Coast.
Super-hot Cierra was once again dishing out the Coors Light
Bikes packed the MIR tarmac
The Mickey Thompson Performance Tires MIRock Super Bike Series races next at the Dragbikelive.com Sportsman.
EARLIER: Pot o’ Gold at MIR
The Rainbow points the way to a pot o’ gold just past MIR’s scoreboards
Jeremy Teasley came back strong from the rain delay, taking over #1 in DME Real Street with a 7.86 in Q2
Ronnie Procopio nailed a 4.11 off the trailer, 4.07 at night to lead the return of Pro Mod
Rodney Williford tests Maltese racer Simon Giordmaina’s Pro Street bike against Richard Gadson Saturday
EARLIER: Runnin’ Hot in the Heat at MIR
Baby it’s hot at Maryland International Raceway, but it always is at this time of the year. And those who work best in challenging conditions are rising to the top in qualifying.
EARLIER: WPGC Bike Fest to set MIR on Fire!
The full-on Mickey Thompson MIRock Superbike Series returns to action July 19-21 for the world’s biggest motorcycle drag racing, bike club, stunt, music, culture and lifestyle event—the WPGC Bike Fest at Maryland International Raceway in Budd’s Creek. This is the one, the only, can’t miss event on the bikers’ calendar—featuring the world’s quickest streetbikes, the DC area’s best bands and bikini models, beer tent with bikini bartenders, and giant manufacturers’ midway.
DME‘s Joey Gladstone against Bud Yoder and “Rizzo”
Dimey Eddinger’s DME Racing Team, with riders Joey Gladstone, Terrence Angela of Aruba, and Greg Wallace, will continue their assault on the Orient Express Pro Street class at the home of the world’s first 6 second streetbike pass. But despite having to ride multiple bikes so far in 2013, three-time champ Rodney Williford is right there—aiming for the class’s first 6.80 and his fourth straight title. The Bike Fest always draws an extra large field from all over, so expect the potent Michigan combination of builder/tuner Ronnie Mitchell and rider Bud Yoder, Rockingham winner Doug Gall, Tony Ficher’s screaming, supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa and more. All will be dreaming of MIR’s $10,000 Pro Street “Battle Royale” coming up in October.
Tony Ficher’s supercharged ‘Busa
Jeremy Teasley carries the front wheel of his RS Motorsports ZX14
Exoticycle’s Johnny “Turbo” Dobrin’s DME Real Street Hayabusa
The ongoing battle between reigning DME Real Street champ Johnny “Turbo” Dobrin and his Exoticycle turbo ‘Busa vs. multi-time champ Jeremy Teasley and his Roger Starrette owned and tuned, nitrous-huffing Kawasaki ZX14 will take center stage throughout the weekend. Neither of these two give quarter on any pass, shooting for both ends of the record every time down the MIR quarter mile.
Teasley on the HTP Performance Hayabusa Pro Mod in 4.60
Ronnie Smith
The world’s quickest index bikes take on the Louis Concrete 4.60 eighth mile challenge. Winners so far this year are Jeremy Teasley on the HTP Performance ADRL PXM Hayabusa, Ronnie Smith, and two-time Rockingham winner Kenny Cornell.
With less than half the season complete, Trac King/APE Top Sportsman features an all-out points battle between leader Julie Lucas, Brian Canoles, “Fearsome” Andy Baumbach, reigning champ Boo Brown, Chris Clontz and Mark Schwalm.
Jeremy Teasley on his Crazy 8s bike
Teasley’s not just leading the DME Real Street fight, he’s also leading MIRock Crazy 8s. Travis Boudreaux and Bob Carlson are tied for second, with Jordan “By the Fire” McDougald lurking in fourth and MIR homeboy Shayne Proctor in fifth.
Willie Jones
Curtis Griggs Jr.
Michael Herman Jr.
Class sponsor Marion Ford leads his own FBR Shop 5.60, followed by Michael Herman Jr. and Robert Parker on their streetbikes, and Willie Jones and Curtis Griggs Jr. on dragbikes.
Jimmy Shifflett
Herman and his dad Mike Sr. are already qualified for November’s Fast by Gast Pro ET tournament of champions at Rockingham, along with reigning champ Dale Hamilton, Glenn Glass, Terry “T-Bone” Singleton, “Hillbilly Hustler” Jimmy Shifflett, Jerry Turner and Ben Knight. Any name not on this list will be looking to join it.
Wayne Smith
Jimmie Miller
Same goes for Brock’s Performance Street ET. Reigning champ Boo Brown is already in, along with Carlson, Knight, Proctor, both Hermans, Mike Schultz, Wayne Smith, Jimmie Miller and Dustin Lee.
Lil’ Daddy vs. Nanu on RG3….MORE GRUDGE PHOTOS
Ryan Schnitz on Mandingo
Saturday night’s Afterdark Undergound and grudge sessions throughout the weekend will feature the world’s quickest, clandestine, “No Time” bikes and the Big Time Hustlers and Trash Talkers that follow them. Look for Derek Henderson’s RG3, Slimm’s no-name 1000, Ric Flair, Cobra Commander, Eddie Kane and all the big names shakin’ down and layin’ Benjamins on the line.
The “Paint The 1/4 Pink” program will once again be run at the Bike Fest to raise money for “Bikers Against Breast Cancer.” This program is for female riders only, competing on dragbikes and streetbikes. The 32-bike qualified field will run on Saturday and will run in an ET bracket racing format. These female motorcycle racers have been raising money from sponsors and taking donations for this great cause, so come on out and show them your support.
The DC area’s absolute hottest bikini models will be strutting on the MIR stage, MC’d and egged on by WPGC personality DJ Flexx. Also rocking the stage will be R&B superstar Reesa Renee.
But that’s not all. The Cycles of Silver Spring East Coast Stunt Jam will rip up the tarmac while the blindingly glossy custom bike show will have everyone shading their eyes from all the bling. The huge vendor midway will offer motorcyclists parts and services they just can’t get anywhere else, while bikini bartenders and a vast array of food, beverage and treat vendors keep everyone’s thirst and hunger satisfied.
Jesse Toler will be making the trek to MIR all the way from Florida. Toler holds the World Record for the longest stoppie on motorcycle, 1320.3 feet (402.42 meters). Toler and the top 3 competitors in the limited approach stoppie competition during the East Coast Stunt Jam at the WPGC Bike Fest will take to the 1/4 mile for a no holds barred stoppie competition on Sunday at 3pm.
Can you imagine having to stare at the calendar waiting for next year if you miss the WPGC Bike Fest? You will be depressed and no one will want to be around you. Don’t be depressed and friendless, come to MIR’s WPGC Bike Fest.
Vendors
WPGC 95.5 FM, FBR Shop, Mickey Thompson Tires, Shinko Tires, Coleman Powersport, MTC Enineering, CP Pistons, Hot Rodz Diner, HTP Performance, DME Racing, Dunigan Racing, Bates Leathers, T&G Photos, Christian Motorcycle Association, Cycle Connection, Philly Ice, Cycles of Silver Spring, U.S. Army, Shell, Coors Light Beer Garden, Zebra Racing, Myrtle West Customs, National Guard, Bikers Against Breast Cancer, Montgomery Motorsports, Mace Motorsports
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