The racing season came to an end over Halloween Weekend. The bikes are quiet and the equipment is being checked and put away for the winter. Plans for 2011 are being formulated and the search for financial support begins again. A look back at 2010 brings the realization of just what we accomplished, and just how much of a struggle it was. The team motto of Never Give UP/Never Give In would be put to a test on more than one occasion. What a year! What a struggle! What a lesson in life!
2010 was supposed to open for us in March at Texas. The engine build on the ZX-6 had taken longer that expected, but was coming together. We arrived in Florida to pick up the bike and head for Texas. It was not to be as the bike engine let go on the last of the practice runs. We headed back home, very deflated, as not only Texas, but the opening round at Maxton in April would not happen.
We decided to move up our 1000cc program by a year and start the build on a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R. Money was tight, but we went ahead with the idea. Kevin Hunt and KWS Motorsports took the ZX-10 and started a build for us. We arrived at Maxton and took delivery of the ZX-6 and also had our ZX-10. Hopes were high, but on the 1st pass the ZX-6 engine blew oil badly while running a 177 mph pass. Engine failure #2 with only one run on the bike. The ZX-10 did better than expected running a pass of 194 mph in a stock configuration with minimal engine work.
We sat out the round 3 in June at Maxton for financial reasons. The ZX-6 was being rebuilt at KWS and we were working on aero improvements on the ZX-10. On the day we went to pick up the ZX-6 the engine failed on the dyno. Engine failure #3 with only 1 official pass on the bike. KWS was awesome though. They kept the bike and refused any payment until the engine was rebuilt and the bike ready to race. The downside is we would miss running at Maine with the ZX-6. Loring was the place where the World Record 190.118 mph run had taken place one year earlier.
We arrived in Maine, a little down not having the 600 with us. We had high hopes for the ZX-10 and were not let down. We earned a spot in the 200 mph club setting three Land Speed records with a top speed of 203.965 mph. We made seven passes at over 200 mph. It was an amazing weekend and we had our first real success of the season.
We went to round 4 at Maxton which featured the Throttle Nation Top Speed Challenge. Our goal was to win 2 classes. The 650cc all motor class and the 1000cc all motor class. The ZX-6 easily won the 650cc class with a pass of 182.095 mph and the ZX-10 won the 1000cc class with a pass of 198.887 mph. Both bikes set new Land Speed records with the Shootout winning passes. The 182 mph pass on the ZX-6 was the fastest pass in the World on a normally aspirated 650cc class motorcycle that was street legal. The preparation and hard work was paying off. The bikes were running well, but there was the Maxton (ECTA) 200 mph club was still out there.
We were out of money for racing by the time the closing round at Maxton over Halloween weekend arrived. We pulled some strings and found a way to get there. The goal was simple. Get into the 200 mph club at Maxton. Hopes were high, but we knew it would not come easy. We made multiple passes at 198 mph and it wasn't looking good. We made a gear change late Saturday and made a pass just before the end of racing on Saturday. 201.072 mph was the speed setting the APS/G-1000/4 record and putting us in the Maxton (ECTA) 200 mph club. The celebration started. The best pass of the weekend on the ZX-6 was 180.752 mph. Another unbelievable run over 180 mph on the all motor 636cc motorcycle. Our 2008 ZX-10R with minimal engine work had run faster than the Brock's Performance BMW's, within striking distance of the KWS BMW. Simply unbelievable.
We finished the season currently holding 28 Land Speed Racing Records, 4 of them World Records. Members of the 200 mph club in Loring (LTA) and Maxton (ECTA). Double class winner of the Throttle Nation Shootout setting Land Speed Records on each winning pass. It was quite a year.
We saw all of the lows and highs that come with racing in 2010. It was a year full of family illness, financial struggles and unexpected set backs. Racing can teach you, remind you how to take on the struggles we all have. Never Give Up/Never Give In. It was a year of being around people who live life, people that do not sit back and hope something good comes along. They make things happen. Thanks to everyone that offered us support and encouragement throughout this past year. Each and every word was needed. You are all a part of our success.
We have to thank Kevin Hunt and KWS Motorsports for the awesome power to run the speeds. Thanks to Vortex, Run 1 Racing Motorsports, Brewer Cycles and D&D Racing. We couldn't have done it without you. Thanks to Phillip Campbell for the friendship and challenge he has given me. Most of all thanks to the Boss, Team Owner and Wife Tracy who finds a way to make this all happen.
For 2011 we will be back on the track. The plan is to open in Texas March 25-27th. We will definitely be in Maine in July and there will be the Maxton rounds in between. There are plans for more speed to be found in the ZX-6rr. We would like to step up a 2011 ZX-10R, but that will require someone to step up and help us. There is speed in the 2008 ZX-10R. We have plans to bring it out for 2011. Looking forward to 2011 as I am already missing the race track.
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