Andy Beauchemin drove his fan-favorite “Joker’s Wild” bike to the win beating Randal Andras with Beauchemin making a huge Top End charge of 221.23 mph but  recorded a 7.594 ET.

Len Darnell

Rickey House

 

Tii Tharpe took the measure of Len Darnell and Turner beat a troubled Rickey House with a respectable 6.360/213.87. In the semi-finals Boyer continued his march to the finals with a 6.386/215.13 drubbing of Beauchemin who slowed to an 8.202?164.19.

 

Turner got to the final pair with a 6.556 ET that overcame Tharpe’s near .020 holeshot.

 

That set up the final round between Canadian Kevin Boyer and defending champion Jay Turner.

 

Turner has eight Wallys on his trophy shelf -- three of them this he garnered this year. Boyer has four prior runners-up and one was against Turner.

Turner gave it his best effort to win this race. He left first by a bunch (a .044 RT to Boyer’s pedestrian .103) but the nitro burning V-twin went silent and he coasted to the finish line. Boyer left hard but had his share of mechanical issues as well. He was able to surpass Turner for the victory, crossing the finish line at 7.788 seconds, 150.46 mph while Turner limped in at 15.485/76.88. 

race reports

Nitro Harley's at Seattle

Words by Jeff Burk

Photos by Ron Lewis

NHRA’s Nitro Harley’s made their final appearance of 2017 on the NHRA national-event trail at Seattle International Raceway and, as at their previous seven NHRA events, the two-wheeled terrors lived up to their billings as one of the most entertaining pro classes the NHRA has added to their lineup for a couple of decades.

 

The nitro burning V-Twin Harley-powered bikes ran two rounds of qualifying for this event. In the first round of qualifying perennial nitro Harley hitter Jay Turner gave up the top qualifying spot to Canadian scooter driver Kevin Boyer whose 6.462/211.06 was good for Top Speed and Low ET for the Harley’s first qualifying round. No. 1 plate holder Turner was relegated to the second slot with a 6.54 at 203.

Jay Turner

 

The second round of qualifying found the same two bikes and drivers battling for the number one qualifying position. Turner made a statement running next to Boyer returning to Championship form with a 6.38/212 effort while Boyer also stepped up his act with an improved 6.45/217.

Randal Andras, Amelia, LA, riding a 2016 Weekend chassied bike ran a 6.448/199.05, good for the second qualifying slot in the eight-scooter qualified field.

Kevin Boyer

 

Final qualifying for the Harleys found few changes in the field. Boyer’s motor-killing 6.392/211.86 pass moved him into the second qualifying slot. He was the only bike to make a move in the third session.

 

Final Qualifying

1. Jay Turner, Julian NC, '17 Dixie                6.388  212.03  214.59

2. Kevin Boyer, Edmonton AB, '17 Harley            6.392  211.86  217.35

3. Randal Andras, Amelia LA, '16 Weekend           6.448  199.05  201.37

4. Tii Tharpe, East Bend NC, '16 Dixie             6.519  194.10  194.10

5. Len Darnell, Vancouver WA, '14 Harley           6.633  211.46  211.46

6. Andy Beauchemin, Sherwood Park AB, '12 Beauch.  6.737  198.38  198.38

7. Toni Froehling, Orting WA, '03 Harley           7.732  166.66  166.66

8. Rickey House, Humble TX, '14 Harley            12.199   81.49   81.49

 

     ------------ Not Qualified ------------

9. Mike Beland, Maiden NC, '14 Advanced           12.522   89.86   89.86

 

Eliminations

 

The first pair out found Boyer paired against Washington rider Toni Froehling. Froehling had troubles while Boyer rocketed to low ET of the meet with a 6.346/217 effort.

VOLUME XIX,  NUMBER 8 - AUGUST   2017

BACK TO TOP

Connect

official DRO sponsors

 © 1999-2017 - Drag Racing Online and Racing Net Source LLC - 607 Seib Drive, O'Fallon, MO 63366 Phone: 636.272.6301 - Privacy Policy

fficial ponsors