Racing in Woodburn the weekend of September 7 and 8, 2001 proved to be a bit more of a challenge than I anticipated. I seem to be on the outside looking in an awful lot this year and was resolved to do better in Oregon.

In June of 2001 we celebrated our one- year anniversary with the Big Tire Bike and I felt that by now I would have a handle on riding it. When we add up all the time I actually have on the bike it comes out to about 5 minutes. When looked at from this angle I really don't have much seat-time on this bike. Still, I have prior experience that is really helping and I have many advisors, some of which are very helpful and some who are not. I try to take the good with the bad and use what I can.

So, off to Oregon we go, where I'm feeling pretty good about the whole thing. You know, a track I am familiar with and people who support what I'm doing including the folks from Vanson Leathers (Matt and Maryann) and the guys from Eastside Harley-Buell in Bellevue, Washington.

The part that sucks is when I found out the bump was an 8.10. Easy for me to beat that, right? Then how come, after the last round of qualifying I end up with an 8.11? I realize to some this information would be devastating but for me it's all in the learning curve of life and racing Top Fuel V-Twins. I'm disappointed, that's for sure. I should have done better. I could have done better, but wasn't able to make the call. When this happens it does make me question my motives for staying on this bike, it is, after all, a lot bigger than what I used to ride, including the weight of the bike and that big fat tire. So I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

The part that changes that around for me is the fact that I know the bike is capable of running in the 7's. I have run it in the 7's and have been thrilled 'with those passes. What I discovered was that the bike has the ability to run fast now I have to make my ability match what the bike is capable of doing.

I hope to give it another chance. We have two more races this year. The Sacramento Fun Bike Drags will be held October 13 and 14 and the AHDRA Western Finals will be in Las Vegas the following weekend, October 20 and 21.

For more information on the Sacramento Races, check out www.delkron-mfg.com

You can get more information about Las Vegas at www.ahdra.com

We look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events.