any people in the Drag Specialties world spent the early part of August at the annual Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, then a few weeks later were off to Wisconsin for the Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited Dealer Showcase and related activities. It was all about fun mixed with an upbeat business climate that has no indication of slowing down any time soon. We’ll have reports in our next issue on both of those events.
     In this issue we feature some people who have been in the sport a long time and they surely have a positive outlook on the future. Jim Thiessen of JIMS USA learned machining skills from his dad and went on to start a machining business of his own 35 years ago in Camarillo, CA. After expanding ten-fold at the same location, JIMS is today one of key sources for performance motors, transmissions and other parts for Harley-Davidsons.
     Speaking of expansion, be sure to check out our report on Bruce Rossmeyer’s “Destination Daytona” project. At press time, Rossmeyer was about ready to open the doors at his 150-acre business park just off I-95. After his Harley dealership became the hub of motorcycle activities in downtown Daytona Beach, Rossmeyer wanted to start from scratch and create a facility in the Daytona area not only for a new Harley-Davidson dealership, but also to include an “infrastructure” around it with restaurants, hotels and related motorcycle businesses. The site will also provide space for many of the manufacturer’s haulers and exhibits that make up the Daytona Bike Week Rally. Whether you are planning to get there this fall for Biketoberfest, or next spring for Bike Week, it’s going to look at lot different the next time you see it.
     Also, read about Jon Kosmoski, who back in the 50’s hopped on an Ariel Square Four and rode it from Minnesota to Los Angeles just to check out the motorcycle scene there. He later got into customizing and learned what an important role paint plays in motorcycle or car custom projects. Jon went on to start House of Kolor, the company that is the clear leader in supplying the paint that you see on many of today’s motorcycle custom projects.
     Vance & Hines continues its winning ways, both in the marketplace and on the track. They take what they learn in racing to create exhaust systems for Harleys that look, sound and perform like winners. After winning the 2004 NHRA Pro Stock drag race championship, rider Andrew Hines was leading the series in his defense of the title as we went to press. His nearest challenger is teammate GT Tonglet. Over in the AHDRA series, Doug Vancil (featured on the cover of this issue) is in the thick of a battle for that championship and may yet pull off the title at year end. The series concludes in October at Las Vegas and we’ll have a report in our next issue with the results.
     Speaking of drag racing, the G Squared Motorsports team in the NHRA series recently had its 18-wheel race hauler stolen. Gone were the Buell-inspired S&S-powered race bikes, spares, tools, tow vehicles, and rider Chip Ellis’ riding gear. The rig was eventually located but the contents were either missing or unusable.
     The team never missed a race, however, thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from Ellis’ NHRA competitors who offered spare machines, motors and other parts to piece-meal things back together until the team could rebuild. This is sportsmanship at its very best.
In closing, let me extend our sympathies to all those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi who may have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. Life in and around the Big Easy won’t be the same for a very long time, but eventually the music and good times that have sustained it for many years will surely return.
     
     Ride safe.