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Romine
Racing News
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It’s expected for the ‘local’ favorite to struggle at their ‘home’ national event. Between family, friends and national competitors visiting, it’s easy to get distracted from the task at hand – qualifying for and winning a race. But Romine seems to have a better handle on managing distractions.
Until the Friday night Nitro Jam Qualifying.
At the end of the three quarters of a mile of pavement, there’s a sand trap. 14 inches of sand mixed with pea gravel is where stray race vehicles go when stopping under power is not an option. Romine’s Nuclear Tomato dove into the sand on his second qualifying pass. “After I crossed the finish line I started on the brakes. I pumped it and pumped it and it wasn’t slowing down nearly as quick as it normally does. Finally, I knew I was going in, so I just looked for the flattest spot and aimed it there.” Romine and the bike were both fine. “I wasn’t going fast when I hit the quick sand. About 25 or 30 miles per hour. But it dug in deep. It got filthy dirty.” And Romine loathes dirty. “We’re cleaning the heads to ensure that it didn’t suck any dirt into it.”
The hometown pressure isn’t bad, to Romine. “We’re qualified in the sixties, which I would think should keep us in the field pretty good. I may be wrong and the field will be the first field in Nitro Harley with a 6.50+ bump.”
Mike Romine on the Nuclear Tomato at the gorgeous US 131 Raceway Park in Martin, Michigan - Romine's "new" home track.
Romine ran a 6.741 at 198.47 round one with a 120-degree track temp mid-day. As the day cooled minimally, Romine’s modifications were minimal with significant results. His 6.603 at 208.17miles per hour in the second round placed him fifth. “We picked up fourteen-hundredths from the first round, so we made a big jump. It still is not leaving the line as strong as we need it to for the good numbers. I think we ran a 4.34 1/8th mile but we need to be in the low twenties. If it will run a 4.24, it’ll run a 6.50. We just need to pick up the eighth mile. I think Rex (‘The Wizard’ Harris) was pretty scared of the track tonight as hot as it was. It was I think 120 degrees. Hopefully it won’t be as hot tomorrow night.”
Mike’s brother Jack is running the Competition Inc. Flyin’ Banana as a team effort in Nitro Harley at selected events this year. “The first pass Jack ran a 6.79, which is the best that bike’s ever run. Since it’s a high gear pro fuel bike, that’s a good run. Jack’s more comfortable with it now. The team made a couple of changes on the bike, but it shut off at the top end. Otherwise it should have run another 6.70 or 6.80. I’m not worrying about the yellow bike. We’ll just have to step it up a bit a little bit at a time.”
Less than two hours from home, significantly close to the gorgeous US 131 facility in Martin, Romine will have a buzzing pit area all weekend. Friday, there was a constant 10 family member count within earshot. More than 40 Sturgis, MI customers and friends stopped by. Saturday, there’ll be in excess of 100 making Romine Racing ‘home base’ at US 131. “The majority will come up Saturday. They asked which day would be the best day to come. Of course, the Saturday night of fire is the best night to watch.”
Romine’s agenda is full for Saturday. Be hospitable. Stay focused. Stop. Stay out of the quicksand.
Mike Romine’s Nuclear Tomato is sponsored by Chromatic, Andrews Products, Ross Pistons, Autolite, Silkolene Twin Power, Saddlemen and Romine Racing.>/i>
Jack Romine’s Flying Banana is sponsored by Competition Dist, Chromatic, Autolite and Romine Racing.
Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley Round Two Qualifying
Friday July 26, 2002
1 Steve Stordeur 6.491 214.83
2 Doug Vancil 6.532 205.85
3 Johnny Mancuso 6.572 189.07
4 Mike Romine 6.603 208.17
5 Jack Romine 6.792 188.46
6 Mark Cox 7.246 146.64
7 Ray Price 7.255 166.60
8 Joe Scotella 7.285 174.96
9 Mark Conner 7.342 138.88
10 Joe Timmons 9.437 116.79
Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley Round One Qualifying
Friday July 26, 2002
1 Doug Vancil 6.532 205.85
2 Steve Stordeur 6.566 204.57
3 Johnny Mancuso 6.579 210.77
4 Mike Romine 6.741 198.47
5 Jack Romine 6.792 188.46
6 Mark Conner 7.342 138.88
7 Joe Scatella 8.077 157.65
8 Ray Price 12.609 78.03
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