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Romine
Racing News
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Mike Romine arrived at the AHDRA event in Rockingham, NC in good spirits after a huge victory and the quickest pass in Top Fuel Harley history in Joliet, IL just five days earlier. Again teaming up with good friend and fuel system expert, Rex Harris, Mike also arrived with high hopes for a good performance at the Rock to help in the points battle for the AHDRA season championship. 'We came to Rockingham knowing that the track could not possibly be as good as Joliet during an NHRA event. We were pleasantly surprised. It was in very good shape. As a matter of fact, during our first round of qualifying, we underestimated it, took too much out of the bike and only ran a 6.80', stated Romine.
Second round of qualifying showed the team get more aggressive, still fearing the dreaded tire smoke, and run a 6.58. The final round of qualifying netted only a suspicious 6.62. 'The 6.62 felt like a much better pass. After 20 years of racing these things, I've gotten pretty good at estimating my e.t. and I was way off on that one. I'm not sure I trust that number, but it still leaves me qualified fourth so that's okay.'
Eliminations day dawned sunny and warmer with temperatures in the low 80's. Rex and Mike were still concerned about smoking the tire, especially with the sun beating on the track. Their goal was a consistently strong performance without overpowering the track. First, second and third rounds of eliminations brought that consistency with e.t.'s of 6.51, 6.53 and 6.54. Mike noted, 'The computer is showing the bike on the edge of tire smoke, so we are being somewhat conservative with the fuel system setup. However, we will probably have to step it up in the final.'
Mike's teammate, Mark Conner, would suffer a different fate, as a red-light start ended his weekend in the first round. Mark explained, 'I rode Ray Price's bike for the last two races and Josephine (the Alamo City H-D sponsored bike that he rides with the Romine Racing team) reacts much more quickly on the line than Ray's bike. I just have to get used to her again. I'll be ready in Vegas.'
Mike's final round opponent, Steve Stordeur, had also been running consistent numbers, but his were in the 6.40's. As the sun started setting and temperatures started cooling, Mike and Rex knew that the track conditions would improve, so they got more aggressive with the fuel system. 'We tuned for what we thought the track would be when we ran and we guessed right', Mike explained. 'The track came to us. Stordeur slowed down just a little with a 6.47 and we stepped up just a little with a 6.46. Plus, my reaction time of .035 was just a little better and that was enough. I did my job and the crew did theirs.' Romine expressed thanks to his hardworking crew, including J.C. Sparks, Dennis Paul and his wife, Patty. 'We are really, really excited. Everybody has just worked so hard all season. To finish up like this is a great morale booster. With one race to go, we are on a roll!'
Mike Romine now takes his hot hand and heads towards Vegas for the AHDRA National Finals.
Mike Romine is sponsored by Romine Cams, Chromatic, Performance Machine, Lucas Oil, Fram, Autolite, Ross Pistons, Mickey Thompson Tires, and Competition Distributing.
Mark Conner is sponsored by Alamo City Harley-Davidson, Lucas Oil, Fram, Autolite, and Competition Distributing.
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