omentum continues to build for the inaugural Kids & Chrome benefit, scheduled for Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at the Black Hills Convention Center in Spearfish, South Dakota. Supported by the motorcycle world’s “who’s who,” industry leaders continue to sign on to ensure the success of this incredibly exciting event through cash contributions and auction item donations.
     This will be an elegant evening, starting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served by roving waiters from 5:30 to 7:30, followed by a four-star dinner. Then the real fun begins!
     Emcee Ted Sands of Performance Machine will announce the winners of two motorcycle raffles and preside over a short, live auction of exceptional donated items. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on everything from exciting vacation packages and high-end state-of-the-art motorcycle components to two authenticated guitars, one signed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kenny Chesney and Brooks & Dunn, and a second signed by the timeless and highly acclaimed Doobie Brothers.
     In addition, Dave Nichols of V-Twin Magazine will announce the winner of the new Teresi V-Twin Prize. This prize recognizes an individual or company that has developed an outstanding product, service, design or invention introduced at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati or Daytona Bike Week during the current year. The honoree will receive a plaque and $100,000.00 worth of advertising in Paisano Publications magazines over the next one-year period to promote their product.
     People hoping to participate but unable to attend the gala dinner can lend their support by purchasing raffle tickets for two incredible motorcycles. The first is a custom from Jesse Jurrens of Independent Cycle in Rapid City, SD, valued at $70,000.00. A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold for $100.00 each, or six for $500.00. The second is a custom from Todd and Shelly Erdman of Thunder Mountain Customs in Fort Collins, CO, valued at $40,000.00. Ticket donations for this bike are $10.00 each or $50.00 for six. Look for raffle tickets now being advertised in several major motorcycle publications and available on the Kids & Chrome web site www.kidsandchrome.org.
     Event banquet tickets are being sold by invitation only and the number of guests is limited to 400. Readers who don’t have tickets yet and would like to attend, call 605-782-2331 or visit the web site to check availability.
     If you haven’t signed on yet and would like to make a donation to the auctions, there is still time. It is the perfect opportunity to showcase your product or business and in doing so, you’ll also benefit two worthy non-profit 501 (c) 3 organizations: Children’s Care Rehab & Development Center in Rapid City and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
     For more info on how to get involved, contact Bob Illingworth, “Kids & Chrome” Director of Fund Raising at 605-490-2628 or online at: lobbymc@yahoo.com.






Julie Vancil, Doug's wife and Crew Chief pushes him to the line for what was his victorious final run at the AHDRA National at Bakersfield.
oug Vancil and the Vance & Hines / Drag Specialties Top Fuel Harley Team scored its first win in 2005 with a commanding victory at the AHDRA-sanctioned “S & S California Nationals Presented by Drag Specialties” at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California. And Doug couldn’t have picked a better event than this to pull out a big win with Drag Specialties as the presenting sponsor of the event.
     In Saturday qualifying, Doug came out of the box strong, setting his best qualifying time in the first round with a 6.922 sec. at 161.08 mph. This pass would be good enough to secure Doug with the number two qualifying position behind Canadian Ron Houniet. “With all the heat here in Bakersfield, we’re feeling good about the time we set today, and we’ll be working hard on the bike to keep it consistent through eliminations on Sunday,” remarked crew chief Julie Vancil on Saturday’s qualifying.
     And that’s precisely how they did it. Starting off the first round of eliminations on Sunday, with many of the local Drag Specialties representatives on hand cheering on the team, Doug recorded the quickest pass of the weekend with a 6.561/209.93, defeating Mark Turner.
     The final round of eliminations saw Vancil facing off against Houniet, who also had run consistent 200 mph passes in the sixes in his earlier eliminations rounds. With the tension mounting and the fans on their feet, both riders made great launches; Doug with a .059 reaction time to Houniet’s .055. Houniet would break but Doug kept it pinned to cross the line with a 6.706/206.70 clinching the victory for the Nitro Harley class, giving all the fans as well as the folks from Drag Specialties the thrill of the weekend. “It’s great to get the monkey off our back and stand here in the winner’s circle. Today, with tough conditions, the bike was flawless and consistent. This is a huge boost for the team,” said an elated Vancil after the win.
n June, Chip Ellis, aboard the G Squared/S&S-powered Buell, defeated Suzuki-mounted Geno Scali to take the Pro Stock Motorcycle title at the NHRA “CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals” at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. This is Ellis’ second NHRA win in nine events and his first during the 2005 racing season.      His previous win was in 2004 at Las Vegas.
     “The Pro Stock Motorcycle class is tough out here,” reflected Ellis. “You’ve got to cut good lights and you have to do a perfect job every time out because everybody is so competitive. You have to do your best every time and my guys gave me the best bike today. The win is awesome.”
     “It’s amazing to see the performance capabilities of our 160-inch Pro Stock engine,” said Charlie Hadayia, Race Relations Manager for S&S Cycle. “Chip is running the same engine and chassis from his debut in the NHRA last year, and the reliability and power of this engine is continuing to improve,” concluded Hadayia.
he Samson/Ray Price Nitro Harley Top Fueler with rookie rider Tommy Grimes qualified 3rd and posted the fastest “mile per hour” run at the AHDRA/Roeder’s Harley-Davidson Buckeye Nationals presented by Drag Specialties at Ohio’s Norwalk Raceway Park.
     Grimes’ drag racing background comes from the NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle ranks where his previous best time on a Pro Stock Suzuki was 7.18 ET at 191 mph. Norwalk was his second race with the Samson/Ray Price Nitro Team and team owner and drag racing legend Ray Price was very pleased with Grimes performance. “Tommy did a great job during qualifying,” said Price. He ran top mph in the first round of qualifying at 215 and exceeded that by running 216 in the 2nd round and finished 3rd on the ladder with a 6.56 ET.”
     During the eliminations on Sunday, Grimes won the 1st round with a 6.66 at 199 mph. In the 2nd round, the launch was even stronger, however, the run ended at 200 feet when the primary belt broke.
According to Grimes the biggest difference between Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley and his Pro Stock bike is the noise and power pulses of the 875-horsepower monster. “The sensation of speed is different. On my Pro Stock bike, I’d tuck into the bike behind the windscreen, there is no noise like the Nitro fuel bike. On the Nitro Harley there is really big noise and a different feel of power.”
     Ray Price added, “Tommy has a very strong and determined desire to win. He also has great riding ability. The Nitro Harley arena creates the perfect challenge for this young man and the team is very excited about the future.”
arnett Tool and Engineering, involved in motorcycle drag racing for many years through sponsorships of top teams, has announced an increased in its involvement with AHDRA for 2005. As an Elite level sponsor Barnett will be the presenting sponsor at the big final event in Las Vegas at the end of the season. Barnett is also a contingency sponsor for 2005 and recently increased their involvement by sponsoring the exciting Nitro Outlaw event, now titled the “Barnett Nitro Outlaws.”
     For more information contact Barnett Tool & Engineering.
he American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that a bipartisan bill to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Ted Strickland (D-Colo.) on June 8 introduced H.R. 2793, “The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act.” It would bar health-care discrimination against those who take part in legal transportation and recreational activities such as motorcycling, ATV riding, snowmobiling, or horseback riding. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) introduced similar legislation in the Senate: S. 577, also titled “The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act.”
     The measures are in response to action taken by federal bureaucrats that legalized health-insurance discrimination against riders and others. “It’s shameful to allow health insurers to discriminate against individuals who take part in perfectly legal hobbies and activities,” Strickland said. “According to this rule, a person injured while drinking and driving would be covered by their health insurance, but an individual who falls from a motorcycle may not. It just makes no sense.”
     On August 21, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to prohibit employers from denying health care coverage based on a worker's pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities, such as motorcycling. But later federal bureaucrats reversed the law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like ATV riding, or horseback riding.
     The AMA was outraged when federal bureaucrats went against the will of Congress and immediately lobbied Congress to right this wrong. Others involved in the effort include the BlueRibbon Coalition, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, ABATE of Wisconsin, ABATE of Ohio, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, and the American Horse Council.
     “This loophole written by federal bureaucrats must be changed,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “We need all AMA and ATVA members and all motorcyclists to contact the members of their congressional delegations to support legislation to fix this.”
     Enthusiasts who want to help can send letters of support to members of Congress through the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com .
he American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that the city of Chicago has significantly changed its recently-announced ban on motorcycles in parades, in response to AMA inquiries.The ban came to light when Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s Office of Special Events sent a letter to various parade organizers, stating, in part: “Effective immediately, the City Parade Regulations have been amended to include a ban on machinery potentially dangerous to spectators and staff working parades. That machinery included motorcycles, (pocket) mini-motorcycles, mini-motor bikes, motor scooters and three- and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles.”
     The news outraged motorcyclists planning to ride in Chicago parades this summer. They contacted the AMA, which, in turn, contacted Chicago city officials. At first, Chicago city officials refused to return the AMA’s repeated calls about the bike ban. A day later, however, Cindy Gatziolis, spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office of Special Events, called to say that the city had modified the ban.
     The city of Chicago soon will send a new letter to parade organizers, once again allowing motorcycles in parades. Under the new regulations Gatziolis outlined, each parade will be permitted up to two groups of no more than 50 motorcycles each.
     “When we first heard of these rules, we couldn’t believe the city would make such a sweeping and discriminatory move,” said Sean Maher, AMA Director of State Affairs. “We're glad to see Chicago back away from the idea of a total ban on motorcycles so quickly. We'll continue to monitor the situation.”

he Pickerington, Ohio-based Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is the home of the nation’s only Hall of Fame honoring American motorcycling’s legendary racers, inventors, promoters, designers, enthusiasts and journalists. It recently announced that Ralph Berndt, Jerry Branch and Tom Cates, three legendary motorcyclists with Harley-Davidson connections, were among the nine new members for 2005 induction. The annual Hall of Fame weekend, highlighted by a special Museum reception, a world-class Concours d’Elegance and the popular induction ceremonies is scheduled for October 7-8, 2005.


Ralph Berndt (right) helps Carroll Resweber adjust the handlebars on his Harley-Davidson KR race bike. This legendary rider-tuner combo won four straight AMA Grand National Championships from 1958-1961. Photo from Don Emde Collection.

     The Class of 2005 includes some of today’s best-known racing champions and industry leaders, as well as memorable individuals who played a major role in creating and building the nation’s rich motorcycling heritage. Induction into the exclusive Motorcycle Hall of Fame ensures that inductees’ achievements, as well as the colorful stories surrounding them, are preserved for the enjoyment and education of future generations of riders, enthusiasts and all who appreciate American history.
     “Each year we’re proud to honor the memorable individuals who helped create such a vibrant and continuously expanding community of American motorcycle enthusiasts,” said Mark Mendell, chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “Last year’s induction ceremony attendance broke all records. We hope that an even greater number of industry members and riding enthusiasts will help us honor the Class of 2005 this October.”

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2005 includes:

Ralph Berndt
Dominant Harley-Davidson tuner from 1957 to 1967. Won four consecutive #1 plates with Carroll Resweber and George Roeder. Had eight Mile, fourteen Half-Mile, two short-track and four road-race wins. Worked for over 30 years at Harley-Davidson Motor Company in both the racing and experimental division. Helped develop the modern Harley Lowboy frame.

Jerry Branch
Master tuner of Harley-Davidson motors for AMA Grand National Dirt Track racing as well as stock based engines for the street. Owner of Branch Flowmetrics. Known worldwide for his pioneering work on the flow bench with Harley-Davidson heads. Noted author of many books on Harley-Davidson engine optimization.

Tom Cates
Before he passed away in 2004, Cates, a former racer and OEM executive, was General Manager for K&N Engineering, makers of air and oil filters for Harley-Davidson and other brands. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Motorcycle Industry Council.
     Other 2005 inductees include: drag racer Tom Christenson, motocross rider Doug Henry, British bike importer Bill Johnson, off-road racer Nick Nicholson, Daytona roadrace champion Scott Russell and race promoter Gavin Trippe
     The weekend honoring the Class of 2005 begins with a Friday, October 7 evening reception at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Festivities continue on Saturday, October 8 with the 4th annual by-invitation-only Concours d’Elegance featuring over 100 rare vintage motorcycles. The Hall of Fame weekend concludes with the induction dinner and ceremonies Saturday evening. Attendance to all events is open to the public with reservations required for the Museum reception and the induction.
     For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org
he Irvine, California-based Motorcycle Industry Council was recently honored as one of the best companies to work for in Orange County by OC Metro magazine.
     MIC President Tim Buche was featured on the cover of the June 9, 2005 issue along with colleagues Sherry Williams (director of quality assurance), Joe DiCorpo (vice president of administration) and Pat Murphy (director of technology research). Reasons for the magazine acknowledgment the staff's overwhelming passion for the sport it oversees, specific employee benefits such as child care and elder care, plus counseling and other perks.
     Our congratulations to Buche and the MIC for setting such a great example for the industry.


JIMS has announced that Robert “Bobby” Bland has joined its Sales and Marketing team. Bland, who has eight years experience in the motorcycle aftermarket industry, will be responsible for developing targeted sales campaigns and help in identifying market demographics.
     To contact Bobby, call JIMS at 805-482-6913 x295 or email at: bobby@jimsusa.com.


Billy Lane (right) and his band of brothers at work on stage at Myrtle Beach.

magine Billy Lane, Arlen Ness, Kendall Johnson, Dave Perewitz, Paul Cox, Mondo and Aaron Greene all working on your motorcycle—right in front of your eyes—for free. It happened in Myrtle Beach.
     On its third stop of six, Billy Lane’s Blood Sweat & Gears Tour was at the Broken Spoke in Myrtle Beach recently featuring live in-your-face fabrication. Billy and his friends, Arlen, Kendall, Dave, Paul, Mondo and Aaron got busy on the stage. Wrapping up the work on a 2005 Springer donated to the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour by Carolina Harley Davidson, the “All Star” team began a new bike project and wrenched a bit on attendee bikes. In addition to working on the bikes, attendees were speaking one on one with the builders and asking customization questions. “Where else does this happen?” asked Lane of the attendees on Wednesday when Arlen Ness joined him on stage. “This is a dream job. Here I am, working with the very best in this business in front of great people like you. It just doesn’t get any better.”
     The bikes built during the Tour are built for one purpose—to thank the military personnel serving to protect our freedom. Each bike will be given away during the Tour to military personnel. The 2005 Springer will be given away in Laconia during the 4th stop of the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour. No pomp and circumstance, Billy will just hand the keys to someone in the audience. It is his way of thanking military folks for their heroic efforts. The Tour will fabricate live for three days in Laconia at the Broken Spoke Saloon.
     “I can’t do this on my own,” said Lane. “Without the support of these great builders and the Blood Sweat & Gears sponsors like Dodge, Activision and House of Kolor, this wouldn’t be happening.” Lane wrapped up the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour stop in Myrtle Beach with his signature burn out.
     For Blood Sweat & Gears Tour sponsorship information, please contact Chrome Marketing Inc at 612-940-6115. Blood Sweat & Gears Tour is owned and copyrighted by Psycho Billy LLC, affiliated with Choppers Inc and Billy Lane. www.choppersinc.com

     Billy Lane has been featured on several television shows including The Great Biker Build Off, Monster Garage, Big and Corbin’s Ride On! Billy Lane’s Choppers Inc is located in Melbourne; FL. Billy has been in the motorcycle business since 1995. Choppers Inc holds seven US patents and distributes high quality parts globally.


Parts Magazine
Volume 12 #7