MTC Engineering Summer Nationals Preview

Press Release: After a disappointing rainout in May, the Mickey Thompson International Drag Bike League (IDBL) returns to action with the MTC Engineering Summer Nationals on June 24-26. And Maryland International Raceway’s new smooth, black asphalt back half that the bikes barely got to touch in the wet of May can show it’s full glory in the June sun.

Three-time Orient Express Pro Street champion Joey Gladstone was one rider that mastered MDIR’s new pavement before the Dragbike.com All-Star Shootout was cancelled, running 6.81 at 213 mph.

But the world’s quickest streetbikes are all stepping up big time and Gladstone can expect some serious challenges to his crown. His DME Racing teammates Terence Angela and Jason Dunigan, Williford Racing’s Ehren Litten and three-time champ Rodney Williford, the DAS Performance “Master Blaster” supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa of Tony Ficher, and more will all be aiming for high-wheelieing, high speed, Pro Street glory.

Gladstone’s DME Real Street all-motor ‘Busa has shown a clear performance advantage in that class so far in 2016, but the Delaware rider posted a rare round 1 redlight in April. Now he has to chase defending champion Anibal “Cannibal” Merced while battling with the rest of the field. Gladstone posted a very quick 7.739 before the rain came in May.

Defending Vance & Hines 4.60 champion Tyler Cammock will have to fight back a huge field of mostly big tire, wheelie bar, nitrous bikes in the world’s quickest motorcycle index class. That includes superstar riders like Ronnie Procopio, 2014 champ Eran Pielert, April number 1 qualifier Michael Ostrowski and more.

Ostrowski also races FBR Shop 5.60, taking the eighth mile stripe 1 second slower than 4.60. This class is a mix of no-bar and wheelie bar bikes, with racers as diverse as long-time pro Rickey Gadson and young cross-country sportsman racer Ben “Hardest Working Man in MC Drag Racing” Knight.

Crazy 8s baller Robert Parker will fence with a big field of no-bar index pilots like Gadson, Knight, April number 1 qualifier Spencer Claycomb, BAMF Dustin “Tennessee” Lee and more.

Top Sportsman distills its 32-bike field down from the quickest Shinko Pro ET bikes. MDIR homeboy Chris Clontz and veteran Delaware racer Jay Windsor are always in the fray with their 7-second dragbikes, but so are streetbikers like class champion Andre Jones and Clontz’s wife Kelly.

Pro ET and Brock’s Performance Street ET races will feature lots of the racers above along with hot gloves such as Ronnie “From The Van to The Man” Reece, Connecticut Kingpin Bon Carlson, David Ashton, Wardell Pinkney, Matt Davidson, Shayne “Mr. Money” Proctor, Maryland regular Jimmie Miller and more.

Grudge will take over the track until late Saturday night, with HTP Performance bikes “Redskin” and “Django” leading the way with riders Lavar “Lil’ Charlie” DeLee and Jeremy Teasley in the saddle.

In appreciation of everyone that—despite a sketchy weather forecast—made the effort to attend the May event and turned in a tech card, a special $500 bonus will be paid to any of these loyal racers if they are Sunday class winners at the MTC Engineering Summer Nationals. All racer entry fee/crew/spectator tickets from May will be honored.

The whole staff of IDBL and MDIR can’t wait to send bikes down the finest 2-wheeled racing surface in the world—make sure your bike is one of them!

Find out more about the Mickey Thompson Performance Tires International Drag Bike League at RaceIDBL.com.