Kawasaki rider wins PBSS at Nitro Nationals
Courtesy of PBSS
CAYUGA, ON – There was a large contingent of motorcycles and snowmobiles on hand for the third Pro Bike & Sled Series presented by Wiseco Performance Products race at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park during the
Canadian Nitro Nationals, and Mike Konopacki set the pace, winning the event in his first PBSS competition.
Qualifying fifth on the Pro Bike side of the series, Konopacki, of Hampton, Ontario, met with Pro Sled winner James Miller of Orillia, Ontario. Riding his 1990 Kawasaki ZX, Konopacki ran an 8.51, 144.40 final over Miller, who fouled in the final round.
“All went according to plan,” noted Konopacki after the race. “We also caught some lucky breaks.”
Racing under Sportsman-style rules, the series is comprised of the Pro Bike division and the Pro Sled division. Racers from each division race within their division, and the top two eliminators go up against each other for the event title.
Konopacki eliminated number one Pro Bike qualifier John Orfanidis of Toronto, Ontario in the first round, Ted Glinny of Milton, Ontario in the second round, and Dan Cryderman of Thamesville, Ontario in the Pro Bike final. Orfanidis set the Pro Bike low ET and top speed of the meet on his Suzuki with a 7.920-second time and 167.38-mph speed.
Dave Marshall of Prescott, Ontario, qualified second in Pro Sled with his 1100-cc powered Proline Sled and set top speed with a 173.78-mph posting.
Fifth-qualifier Miller took out Bill Anderson of Seaforth, Ontario and number one qualifier Michael Swartz of Beachville, Ontario before meeting up with Marshall in the Pro Sled final.
With several drag strip titles to his credit, Konopacki is also a multi-time AMA drag race winner. Crew chief on the team is Art Coker, and while he has drag raced for many years, Konopacki has been strictly a motorcycle racer.
“I’ve never done any car racing,” he noted. “Two wheels are more fun.”
Winning the PBSS Non-Qualifiers race was Joe Carlos of Toronto, Ontario, who rode his Kawasaki to victory over Pete Stewart, also of Toronto, on a Suzuki.
Winning his first PMRA race was Kenny Lang. It was also the first PMRA race for the team from Grande Pointe, Manitoba. Lang, driving the Summit Racing Equipment 1969 Camaro, qualified fourth in the field, and bested Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario in his Corvette in the final for the win. Lang recorded a 6.035-second, 239.57-mph winning pass over Hawker.
Winning his first Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts event was Bob Bauer Jr of Elma, New York. The Top Sportsman driver, who competes in his big-block powered 2007 Pontiac GTO, won in the final over Billy White of Gadshill, Ontario in his RE/MAX White & Wild Top Dragster entry. This series is comprised of 16 Top Sportsman cars and 16 Top Dragster cars, which compete in their respective divisions, and the top eliminator in each division goes into the final to determine an event champion.
Next event for all three series is the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts to be held August 5-7 at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
Leading Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) 2011 Championship Point Award Series presented by Wiseco Performance Products at present after three of six events is Pro Bike racer Randy Hope of London, Ontario with 677 points. Miller is next with 658 points and Marshall is third with 640 points. Anderson is fourth with 617 points, and Cryderman is fifth with 600 points. Rounding out the top ten are Pro Bike rider Dave Vandereyken of Acton, Ontario, Orfanidis, Bob McDonald of Woodstock, Ontario, Danny Staples of Beachville, Ontario, and Brandon Satchell of Saint Thomas, Ontario.
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca
