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As you may know, Club Member Malcolm Brooks recently visited the states to undergo his NHRA licenisng, here is his account of the trip, plus his recent race meetings...
Hello to fellow SPDRA members and supporters, On the 28th of January 2008 I left Brisbane bound for Gainsville to participate in a Pro Stock motorcycle licensing course. 23 hours after leaving Brisbane I arrived @ my hotel in Gainsville. The first thing after breakfast I proceeded to Gainsville Raceway and met the track staff and had a good look at the strip and the facility. The braking area is ¾ of a mile long (Wow) and still has a gravel trap! On my way back up the return road I noticed a shed with a couple of race cars exposed off to the left. Upon further investigation found this to be Frank Hawleys workshop facility, so I introduced myself and met Jimmy his main mechanic who showed me over the range of school cars and was very helpful and a true pleasure to be around. Awakening the next morning I proceeded to Ocala where I took in the Don Garlit’s Drag Racing museum. Wow what a facility and you can feel all the success and fantastic energy from the trophy cabinets to the wall to wall race vehicles. Upon my departure I noticed a 34 Ford Coupe out in the car park, further investigation revealed a dual carbed Hemi under the hood, the bloke driving it was none other than Don Garlits himself. This was his street registered hot rod (what a car). Waking up the next morning which was day 1 of the Pro Stock motorcycle course taught by the legend himself George Bryce (Star Racing).8 students including myself from Australia,1 from Hawaii, 2 from Canada and 4 from the USA. Performances ranging from my best time of 9.95 to the fastest 6.40 @ 232mph (Nitro Harley) A long day with classroom tuition and 2x 60 foot passes and an attempt at 330 feet(made 200 ft.).We finished the day with some insightful psychology from Frank Hawley. I returned to my motel totally exhausted wondering what the hell I had gotten myself into. After freshening up I wrote a 31 part process to ride the bike, then proceeded to practice riding the coffee table before bed and upon rising the next morning. Back for day 2 and to finish off a bit more of Franks psychology lesson. After this we headed back out onto the track where we had 3 more passes. A 9.65 half pass, an 8.4 @ 158mph & 8.2 @ 160 full passes. Nearly ran a 7 but ran out of time. Wow what a ride 60ft in 1.2 seconds, 133 mph @ half track, what a buzz. Made some fantastic friendships and have been offered to ride a 7 second Nitrous Pro Mod bike in Canada in August. Currently saving my money for that awesome experience. I have attained my NHRA ET license which has a performance limit of 7.5 seconds. This also gives me 3 signed off passes towards my Pro Stock license with 3 more for completion. Arriving back in Australia on Friday the 8th of Feburary just in time for Saturday’s championship round @ Willowbank. Made it into round 2 now have 10 points in the local championship and slept well once I rode home from the track. Departed Wednesday the 13th of Feburary with my buddy Wild Wheelie Wayne Smith and both our bikes on the trailer. Trouble free drive to Sydney and retired for a good nights sleep. The next day off to WSID to get scrutineered and set up. Wow what a truly remarkable facility and no humidity(awesome). Friday is with us and we have two qualifiers my first a P.B. 9.81 @ 143 mph and second a 9.85. Wayne still wheelying in the 10 second zone. Should make for some interesting photographs. Saturday is upon us one more qualifier a 9.93 happy with that. I qualified 7th out of 34 bikes was the quickest street bike and 3rd fastest mph in our bracket (Modified Bike). After 5 rounds of racing and @ about 11.15pm @ night we emerged victorious. 20 years to win a Gold Xmas tree a truly special moment in a career that has a trophy in Super Street, Modified Car and now Modified Bike. We returned home on Sunday with a huge golden smile. Remember live the dream and you will never have to deal with regret later in your life. Life’s a Drag how cool! C u @ the trackRegards Rooman,Alias Malcolm Brooks |
