PennGrade1 American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA)
Jim McClure All-Harley Nitro World Finals
Rockingham Dragway, NC
October 25-27, 2024

AMRA Baggers and Gassers Set Records at The Rock

The world’s largest all-American motorcycle drag racing series isn’t just for nitro heroes. Naturally aspirated gas classes, baggers, turbos, and nitrous huffing Harley-Davidsons filled the lanes and the record books at North Carolina’s Rockingham Dragway for the PennGrade1 American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA) Jim McClure All-Harley World Finals on October 25-27.

Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger

Baggers were bangin’ at The Rock. Southern grudge legend “Burnout Bruce” Emanuel showed up with Scott Williams’ beautiful blue turbo Bagger and immediately started setting Milwaukee-Eight (M8) records while taking number one qualifier in a 15-bike Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger field.

Bruce kept his advantage all the way to the final, where he took the tree by a scant .003 against fellow finalist Jeremy Beaulieu. Emanuel had the power to score a 7.79 at 183 win against Beaulieu’s 8.09 at 173. Rick Hunnicutt won the Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger championship.

“Well, this journey hasn’t been easy,” said Emanuel. “Scott Williams, who owns the bike and spends the dollars, stayed focused. We didn’t test a lot with this bike at all. We fought a broken pipe at three test sessions and finally Scott found a guy to build one.

“Cullen Gillis decided to build the engine and change a lot of things on the bike. He called me and said ‘BIG POWER, be ready.’

“I think we made three 7 second passes and few more good passes. Fought the 60 foot a couple times but I knew Cullen had a plan. Bike never missed a beat, stayed together all weekend, same clutch, same tranny.

“After running the 7.91 (in qualifying), then backing up (with a) 7.89 (in the semi), knowing what I knew, I basically felt the 7.79 coming. Matter of fact, in staging lanes I told Jeremy Justice and Jeremy Beaulieu I would go .79 at 183.”

Way to go Babe Ruth. “Guess what? 7.79 at 183 when I needed it most against the Stephane Crete Racing Team.

“Just an amazing weekend. A lot of fun, a lot of fast Pro Baggers, great race venue, the race was ran very well, and great crowd.

“Special thanks to Scott for it all. On behalf of me and Scott, we would like to thank Stanley Gardner (GRC Cranks), Scot Wood (Wood Cycles)—more parts than any dealer has. Andy Simon for transmission, Fly Iron Harley-Davidson, Jeremy Williamson (Backhalf Parts), Eric Hochstetler (MTC), MaxxECU, Brian Murray (Billet Trees), Matt at S&S Cycle for bullet-proof M8 engine cases, and Ernie Munoz (Comp Turbo).

“Lastly, my little brother, who believes in me and puts up with my antics, disagreements, late night tuning questions, and trips to Waffle House!

“Cullen Gillis, you said we got more left in it. I trust you and believe you. Let’s effffffff’n send it!”

Thundermax Street Baggers

Jimmy Maikranz did what Jimmy Maikranz does, qualifying number one in Thundermax Street Baggers, then giving his teammate—in this case, Dave “Paco” Cartwright—the break in the final. After Cartwright’s .189 reaction time, Maikranz waited a leisurely .651 to join the race. Paco’s 9.74 at 134 was enough to hold off hard-charging Jimmy’s 9.50 at 143. Champion Maikranz’s starting line charity allowed winning Cartwright to place second in points.

“The 2024 Mutant Motors by Wolf team season has been an amazing experience,” said Cartwright. “Especially winning The Rock at the season finale. I finally had a good showing at The Rock, and ran very consistent times on Sunday. I knew I had to win to possibly finish second.

“In my many years of racing it has never been with a group of people who have not only elevated my racing skills, but taught me an entirely new way to get down the track. It has truly been the most fun racing experience of my career…at least until Wolf gets mad at me…he recovers quickly though.

“Jimmy did win the 2024 championship and in 2023. Wolf has won three straight championships with two different riders. Our teammate Jeff Boudreaux finished fourth.”

Cartwright thanked Axtell, VP Racing Fuel, Zipper’s Performance Parts, Wood Performance, and Mom and Pop Boudreaux.

General RV Pro Modified

Billy Doherty also did what Billy does, winning Pro Modified races. Being the Finals, the Louisiana H-D dealer had a tough field to race through—including John Price—on his way to the final round match with number one qualifier Jason Adams. It was a double redlight final, with Adams doing the deed first. Doherty ran a better number anyway, going 8.27 at 155 to Adams’ 8.31 at 157, taking another championship, and shattering a long-held record.

“Larry Pratt—my crew chief and friend—and I have worked together since 2017, and we have talked and been close to breaking the national record in Pro Mod since 2017,” said Doherty. “Yet we never achieved it. Wow. What a weekend.”

Doherty noted that the record coming into Rockingham was an 8.308 by Larry Pratt’s driver at the time, Morry Straubel. That record was also set at Rockingham, but 10 years ago!

“We got to Rockingham and had issues with the Banana (his yellow Pro Mod bike) right off the trailer that we fought all through qualifying. Q1 I launched and the Banana spun and went to the wall. Round two was better, round three a little better.

“Larry and I were frustrated with our performance. We knew the Banana was not right. The next morning we put our heads together and went back to the basics. In the semifinals I drew John Price, a very good racer that is on point. Larry and I talked about where I wanted to stage and we followed the plan. I launched, hit my shift points, and the run felt good. Donnie Huffman drove down to push me back and said ‘Damn, you just ran a 8.24.’ I told him ‘BS.’ Then he handed me the time slip and I was in shock. I knew I had a good run but didn’t know it was that good.

“We came back to the pit and knew we had Jason Adams in the finals and he was fast, but we had to finish what we started. We ran Jason and I launched. When I shifted into second gear I could see at the end of the track the W on the score board. I knew I had to finish what I started. I hit my shift points. When I got to the end of the track. I was so upset with myself and felt like I was a hair off of my shift points. I just knew I gave up (backing up) the record. Donnie came to me happy saying ‘You did it, you ran a 8.27 and backed it up.’ I was in shock.

“What a weekend! I won the race, got my 24th national championship, and the eighth and quarter mile records. I have to thank my mom, Larry Pratt and Larry Klunder for all of their help.”

Zippers Performance Modified

In nearly an all-septuagenarian Zippers Performance Modified final, Joe Perry (69) took the no-bar route to beat the elder Gary Douglass (75) on a more traditional wheelie bar Modified bike. Perry helped himself tremendously with a .280 advantage at the tree, but also ran an 8.90 at 139 for the win against number one qualifier (and champion) Douglass’ 8.96/144.

“Went to Rockingham Dragway to race and catch up with my AMRA race family and friends,” said Perry. “Last race of the year, going to be a long winter. Let’s do some racing and enter two classes, what the heck—Hot Street and Modified.

“Qualified number one in Hot Street and number two in Modified, behind the ‘Iron Man’ and national champion/class record holder Gary Douglass.

“Drag racers talk, hope, and whisper about the fall ‘fabled air’ conditions that are possible at The Rock—it being one of the quickest and fastest dragstrips in the world IF the fabled conditions are there. It wasn’t a fable this race.

“I ran a record-breaking number in Modified and needed a back-up. And wouldn’t you know it? Iron Man Gary ran a better record number the next round and we were both in the finals—wheelie bar and no-bar bikes. I got the win with a better number to set the new ET national record. Great race Iron Man Gary and congratulations on the AMRA 2024 Modified National Championship!

“Needless to say, but a career pass for me and my filly Special Blend. Thank you always Kent and Nancy Foltz of Energy One Clutches, Dave Conforti and Worldwide Bearings, Steve and Teri Allstaedt of SA Racing, Chad Hart and XLXBhorsepower, Andy Simon and Simon Motorsports, Rockingham Dragway crew and staff for all your hard work and improvements to the facilities and running the race, Greg and Julia Baugh and American Motorcycle Racing Association for a great event and sanction to race with, and my Bride Lynda for all she does for my life—love you!

“And there are literally dozens of folks I could thank for their support and never finish this post. You know who you are and please know I appreciate every one of you!

“I have to give a special shoutout to Chris Ussery of Bulldog Racing. Chris has been helping me with spotting the surface in staging this season. He has spotted me to five wins this year. He had a serious and unfortunate incident at The Rock. It’s unreal to me, but he shook that off and came back to spot me on this record pass! Thank you, Chris, and Breina Montalvo for all your help and support this season!”

Axtell Cylinders Hot Street

Perry also went to the Axtell Cylinders Hot Street final, where he met number one qualifier Jason Crisp. Joe still had the advantage at the tree, but only .015 this time. Crisp was able to drive around with a 9.04 at 143 for the win and the championship against Perry’s 9.11/140.

“What a long year!” said Crisp. “I’d say I learned in drag racing this year, it’s probably better to be lucky than good.

“We were number one qualifier at every event this year except for the final round at Rockingham. We only won the opening round in Louisiana. We lost in the finals to tire bog against Charley Douglas in Norwalk. We lost in the finals to tire spin out past the 60 to Clayton Danford. We broke the cylinder studs in the first round at bowling Green.

“Coming into Rockingham we only had a 60 point lead and needed to win. We tried some new stuff in testing Friday at Rockingham and it wasn’t working. Went back to our old setup for qualifying Saturday and first pass was good enough for number two qualifier.

“Second round I thought we spun the tire, but turns out it was the clutch slipping ‘cause in the third round it wouldn’t shift at all. We ended qualifying third. Clayton Danford—who was sitting second in points—qualified fourth behind us, so that meant the championship would be decided first round.

“Saturday night we put a clutch in and I did what I could to get it seated in and ready for Sunday. Sunday came and between riders going down, oil downs and a little weather delay, we never ran first round till after 3 o’clock, I believe.

“I had been cutting the tree pretty good all weekend, so Clayton knew he had to be on it. We both staged and the lights went green. I threw the clutch and that new clutch decided it wanted to party! It went into a big wheelie, I clutched it down, let back out on it and right back up. Clutched it down again, let the clutch out and it started coming back up. Smashed the shift button, and nothing! Hit it again, nothing. All that transpiring I was still in front of Clayton. Finally I chopped the throttle completely, hit the shift button and still nothing. I then watched Clayton race down the track and I thought I was watching the championship ride away until I looked up and realized I had the win light! Clayton had red lit! The championship was mine!

“I finally had some luck go my way. My dad told me a long time ago, ‘The sun don’t shine on the same dog’s ass every day.’ And on a cloudy day in Rockingham, the sun was shining on my ass!

“Got back to the trailer, decided we would fix it and see if we could go to the finals. Found the wires had broke off the shift button. Got them soldered back on in time for second round. Won that against Jordan Johnson.

“Went to the finals against Joe Perry, who had just set the modified record at 8.90, so I knew I had my work cut out for me. We got the bike ready but I neglected to adjust the pusher on the clutch. Figured it would be ok since everything felt ok. Pulled into the water box and realized I couldn’t back the bike up even with the clutch all the way in ‘cause it was trying to pull through the clutch. Wasn’t anything we could do other than send it! Joe and I staged, light went green, and I never seen Joe again. We had enough clutch to get it into fourth gear but was slipping so bad it wouldn’t shift into fifth. We still ended up running a personal best of 9.04 with only four gears. I missed my first 8.9s pass by a clutch adjustment. But, we won our class and the championship!”

“Always good racing with you Jason and the 141 Cycles crew,” added Perry. “Congratulations on the championship!”

Outlaw Street

Number one qualifier Mike Motto (7.78 at 180) seemed on his way to scoring the Outlaw Street win until smoking a piston at 1000 feet on his E1 bye run. Motto was unable to make the final and Tim Grindle rode his turbo bike solo for the win.

Despite missing the event while still recovering from his Bowling Green flip, Charley Douglass took the Outlaw Street championship.

“Rockingham was a great event for the GMS Race Team,” said Motto. “Greg Baugh and his team put on a great show and the track prep was on point. We want to thank the fans who came out in larger crowds than we have seen in a very long time!

“We were trying a lot of different set-ups, which sometimes results in breakage. The team is back at GMS headquarters in Uniontown, PA, and we are preparing for next year. We have some very exciting improvements that will take us to yet another level of Harley drag racing. We will need to be fast as there is a lot of talk about some upcoming, very fast Harley’s coming out next season. This is awesome news, as it takes the competition to another level. We wish everyone well. Work hard on the off season and be ready for the new season!

“Thank you Gregg Dahl, Damon Kuskie, and all of our families that stand behind us and allow us to chase this dream of speed! Thank you GMS Racing, Renegade Fuels, Energy One Clutches, FuelTech, MTC Engineering, Dunlop Tires, Gibtech Pistons, and everyone else who supports and stands by the GMS Racing Team! See you all at the races!”

Benchmark Excavating Top Eliminator 9.30 index

Ken Strauss rode his sleek ProCharged V-Rod to the Top Eliminator 9.30 index win against fellow finalist Cody Hayworth, who redlit and made it easy for Strauss. Number one qualifier Freddy Frazier lost early to Hayworth, and David Doremus took the championship.

Super Gas 9.90

Kimberly DeShields nailed an .008 light on Chris Hoppe in the Super Gas 9.90 final, but her 10.21 was too far off the number and Hoppe won with an .049/10.03 package. Number one qualifier Heather Jendruch fell to Hoppe in the quarterfinals and sportsman legend Donnie Huffman won the championship.

“Had fun as always,” said Hoppe. “Most of the racers are great people and very competitive. A bit upset with myself for losing out on the Top Eliminator championship, but finishing the weekend in the winner circle is always were you want to be. Already looking forward to next season and getting a hold of one of the championships!”

BK Electric Super Pro 10.30 and Pro Eliminator 10.90

The George family of father Richard and son Willie swept BK Electric Super Pro 10.30 and Pro Eliminator 10.90.

Richard took the tree in the Super Pro final by .124 over opponent Jeremy Hall and also ran closer to the number with a 10.59 to Hall’s 10.63. George beat number one qualifier Elijah Agner in round two, and Jendruch scored the number one plate.

Likewise, Willie put .151 on fellow Pro Eliminator finalist Jonathan Grayson at the start and ran 11.15 on the 10.90 index while Grayson ran 11.24. Number one qualifier Chris Ussery grabbed too much brake in E1 and went down, costing himself the scheduled bye in second round. Ussery was banged up but OK, and Crosby Blair won the championship.

Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50 and Baker Drivetrain Eliminator Dial-in

No-bar racer Casey Smith took two wins at The Rock—Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50 and Baker Drivetrain Eliminator Dial-in.

Smith grabbed a .022 advantage at the start of the Street Eliminator final and ran an 11.68 to Bill Harper’s 11.69 for the close win. Number one qualifier John Schneider lost to Chad Traynor in first round and Huffman scored yet another championship.

Smith saved a deadly .009 light for the Eliminator final against Keith Carper’s .160, then ran dead on his 10.73 dial-in with a .003. Carper was toast and broke out with a 9.67 on his 9.80.

“It was a last minute choice to come over and race,” said Georgia racer Smith. “I was kinda tied up with work and decided on Friday to ride over. So I loaded up the trailer and the Little Guy (son Cash) to head that way.

“Started off Saturday with a plan to run Pro Eliminator (10.90), Street Eliminator (11.50), and Eliminator. The bike was a little fast, so we worked to slow her down. Found a little something and got her to slide in around a 10.91.

“Sunday we woke up to great weather and fast bikes, so I had one pass that morning and made my changes to slow down. I went a couple rounds in 10.90 but lost on a double breakout.

“Moved the focus to Eliminator and dialed her in to a 10.73 for the day. Went all the way to the finals cutting OK lights and making sure we didn’t break out. In the finals we went .009 on the tree with 10.73 on a 10.73 dial for the W.

“In Street Eliminator we moved through the pack taking on the legend Donnie Huffman. Ran dead on the 11.50 mark against him to move to round three. Great racing!

“In round five (the finals) we had Mr. Harper and it was a race. Both of us had faster bikes than the index. I knew he would be tough at the stripe, so I chopped it really early, which made him make the decision to slow down or trust it. When he moved his arm to let off, I dropped the hammer and made my move. This gave me the opportunity to take the stripe and the win in the class.

“As most know I travel alone 90% of the time. I really enjoyed being able to look over each pass and see my lil’ buddy Cash at the line. He was so excited to get to see us win! He asked me on Saturday if he could have the trophies, so it was nice to be able to give him a few.

“All together it was an awesome weekend with the family and AMRA in Rockingham. Big Thanks to XLXBHORSEPOWER, Harley-Davidson of Macon, GA, Simon Motorsports, and Energy One Clutches. It was really nice to have Erica and Chad there to help from XLXBHORSEPOWER. These guys help us get down the track and we appreciate it a lot.”

Shutdown Area

The only thing left for PennGrade1 AMRA in 2024 is their annual banquet in Nash Vegas, AKA Nashville, Tennessee, on November 16th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Nashville Airport.

Greg and Julia Baugh, and John “JT” Toth and Marianne Miller look forward to having dinner, drinks and conversation with the whole AMRA family, celebrating their best season ever.

AMRA thanks PennGrade1 oil, Zipper’s Performance, Hawaya Racing, Axtell Cylinders, Spevco, BK Electric, Johnny Mancuso’s Circle M Ranch, Dove Fuels, Baker Drivetrain, General RV, Benchmark Excavating. and Thunder Max

This report was prepared by Tim Hailey. Enjoy everything there is to read, see and watch about motorcycle drag racing and more at www.eatmyink.com

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For more information visit www.amralive.com / info@amralive.com / Facebook

ABOUT AMRA
The American Motorcycle Racing Association was formed over 30 years ago and is the only officially sanctioned association that is exclusively dedicated to American made, V-Twin based motorcycle drag racing in the world. Whether you’re interested in E.T. based racing, set index racing, heads-up or Top Fuel Nitro Bikes, we have a class for you. Membership is easy and the events are carried out in a way that makes it easy for beginners and veterans alike. All class designations and rules for each can be found here as well as the membership application. We are happy to welcome new racers and offer help to get you started. Join today and we’ll see ya at the track.

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