Vance & Hines Las Vegas AHDRA summary

5/6/2003 Las Vegas, NV Doug Vancil & the Vance & Hines / Drag Specialties team had some great runs in Vegas, qualifying #1 and finishing #1, winning the event in the AHDRA Top Fuel Harley® category.

In the first round of qualifying, Doug ran a 6.64 et / 210 mph taking the #1 spot quickly. Doug stepped it up a little more in the following round of qualifying with a 6.57 et /207 mph securing the #1 spot in qualifying. "Despite the heavy winds, the bike is running strong and I was able to muscle it down the track. We're pleased with the way it is running going into the eliminations."

The Vance & Hines / Drag Specialties team was the first down the track in the eliminations. Doug's opponent broke on the line, but that didn't stop him from running a 6.565 et / 210.31 mph, faster than his #1 qualifying time. Doug faced Drums Brancaccio in the second round. Drums cut the light well and got the jump on Doug, but the Vance & Hines / Drag Specialties bike powered its way past Drums' time of 7.317 et with a 6.592 et / 207.78 mph. "We're just keeping the bike consistent right now, making sure it stays straight" stated Doug. And consistent it was, with Doug facing Mike Romine in the third round and winning with a 6.656 et / 211 mph.

In the finals, Doug faced Ron Houniet at the line. Doug cut a great light with a .455, getting him going quick, but Ron reeled him in. It was a wheel-to-wheel race, with both riders trading the lead down the strip, but Doug pulled ahead at the end. It was Doug's 6.64 et / 193.07 mph compared to Ron's 6.655 et / 209.69 mph for the win. The luck of Vegas and consistency of the Vance & Hines / Drag Specialties team was with Doug: Two weekends in a row of great racing for Vancil and the Vance & Hines / Drag Specialties team-not to mention two wins. The team will be racing again May 23-25 at the AHDRA Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson® Southern Nationals in Atlanta, GA. For more information, go to vanceandhines.com or ahdra.com.

-v&h-