experiment sponsored by Bixler Racing Enterprises and 2Wheelspeed again breaks
the mold. Even though some who first wanted to enter took a pass, that didn't stop
those who took the challenge from punishing the index and prove that this can work.
To play the top end at almost 180 mph takes a special breed of racer, it's one thing to
go out the back door, it's another world playing the stripe in a hyper blur of reality.
one qualifying position running a 7.76. Brunson Grothus jumped on a "old" KPM
Kawasaki and pulled into the number two position in what can only be described as an
'interesting" qualifying ride. With the bike not seeing regular duty it was a bit out of
sorts and was experiencing ignition problems, not good on a nitrous bike. He looked
more like a bull rider than a bike rider. Fortunately they would survive eliminations
long enough to sort it all out. Mike Bostic took the number 3 position on Mike
Kruger's Lake Mortgage Kawasaki made famous by Pete Brigg's a couple of years ago.
Having NEVER ridden this bike before today, this would be a huge learning curve.
Not only had Mike never gone this fast, this bike has the only 6 speed KZ tranny in the
WORLD. Translation, huge money. Job, what ever happens.....SHIFT!! 5 Times
please! On only his second pass Mike runs a 7.88 and hits every shift closer each
time. Class sponsor Tim Bixler took the number four spot on his now "juiced" Pro
Stock Hayabusa powered ride. Tim was fighting shifting problems all day a couldn't
get a clean shot down track. Johnny Bond finished out the field while also fighting
what sounded to be electrical problems at the end of first gear on out.
#1QUALIFIER
Grothus and Johnny Bond were first out of the gate. To say there was a wide range of
emotions surrounding this opening round would be an understatement. There were
those who were just waiting to snicker, waiting to cheer and waiting to breath. The
final answers were, jokes on you, hell yes and go ahead you're turning blue. On with
the count down Casey..... Grothus jumps first out of the gate on Bond. Both riders
leave hard when Bond's problems again forced him to shut off while in the other lane,
PB rider Grothus was having his own issues with an intermittent nitrous/ignition system
but took the win running a troubled 8.42 @ 136. Mike Bostic and Tim Bixler were next.
Unfortunately for Bixler, his clutch pulled his through the beams and he turned on the
red light. However, Mike Bostic dropped many jaws as on his third pass on the bike
turned a 7.56 @ 160 mph showing there is still much more in the tank. Amazing riding
job Mike! Alex Barmettler finished out the first round on a bye run clicked off a 7.93 @
172.
Grothus were up next. Grothus took the slightest of leads leaving on an .052 to
Barmettler's .058. The KPM ride seemed to have come to about 75% life and pulled out on
Barmettler's bike on the big end and takes the win running a 7.75 to a 7.91. Mike Bostic on
his bye run continued to stun everyone running a 7.40 @ 177 to dispel any myths that this
couldn't be done. The best was yet to come.
any better. Unknown to the rest of us, the KPM crew found the last gremlin in their
Kawasaki. Bostic now looked like he had been riding his bike for years. Hitting his shifts and
going arrow straight. As both riders stagged all, and I mean all eyes were on the track. So
much for the nay sayers. A flash of yellow and an explosion of horsepower erupted. Both
riders leaving only .005 apart it was a wheels up rocket launch. Hanging front ends and
running wheel to wheel the entire 1320 was amazing. Going into the traps Grothus was
looking over at Bostic who was out his him by almost a bike length. Bostic, no stranger to
top end racing knowing he was on a run clipped the throttle at the stripe with Grothus
pushing hard on his side. Bostic breaks out running a 7.47 at only 161 while Grothus runs
a crystal clear 7.54 @ 170 for the win. Simply amazing!
BOSTIC .068 RT 7.50 DI 7.474 @ 161.88
CHAMPION
BRUNSON GROTHUS
