READING H-D PERFORMANCE TRIGGERED PARITY REVIEW; NO CHANGES BEFORE VEGAS

The performance of the Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson Pro Stock motorcycle team during the Auto Plus NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.,  triggered another parity review according to the NHRA.

The Harley-Davidsons of Andrew Hines and defending series champion Eddie Krawiec ran six runs in the 6.70s while the quickest non-Harley bike was 6.838 seconds. Hines raced to a new world record of 6.728-seconds, nearly .03 quicker than the previous record while carrying 30 extra pounds.

“It has triggered a review,” said NHRA vice president of technical operations Glen Gray.  “We’re gonna take a look at that. Obviously the conditions at Reading were very, very good, and actually I think some of the bikes that ran better in the last few races may have struggled a little bit trying to figure out how to run at a track that was that good and under those cool conditions with such good air.”

Gray believes the conditions which were so good in Reading [55-degrees, 450-above adjusted altitude], might have thrown the other teams a curveball when preparing for the conditions. Last season, Hector Arana Jr. ran 6.781 seconds to win the event over Matt Smith.  

“Under advisement we’re looking at it,” said Gray. “We’ll go to Las Vegas and see if that trend continues. Because it’s been really close since we made the 10-pound change on the Harley Davidsons.”

The ten pound addition came just days after the NHRA had deemed the class to have parity but under closer scrutiny should have triggered a parity review. NHRA announced, on the same day as the minimum weight adjustment, a rescinding of the Harley-Davidson four-valve engine and a return to the two-valve configuration.

If a rules adjustment is made, Gray confirmed, it will come between the upcoming NHRA Big O Tires Nationals in Las Vegas and the season-ending AAA Finals.

The record-setting performance of the Screamin’ Eagle team has drawn the ire of George Bryce, an outspoken critic of the rules structure enabling exclusivity for the Harley-Davidson. He made an internet statement in protest of the current rules.

"Even at 670 lbs minimum, the VHR team showed some of their hand they have been holding all year,” said Bryce. “The only team in NHRA competition that is allowed, by rules, to use double overhead cams and 4 valves runs rampant over the field in Reading PA.

"The closest competitor was a full eleven hundredths behind the exclusive machines run by VHR. NHRA usually considers adding weight if "they" run up to 5 hundredths quicker than the 3rd quickest team.

After this display of dominating advantage, NHRA may consider adding weight to the Unobtainable DOHC V-Rods twice.

"To make the other so called "contenders" at least perceive a chance at the title in the Countdown, NHRA would serve the class well by reducing the potential performance of the double overhead cam 4-valve overdogs for the last two races of the Countdown.

"Swift and effective change is required ASAP to try and save this obviously bought and paid for season of dominating Championships, records and complete annihilation of the once level playing field of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle."

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