Stotz Racing AMA/Prostar
2007 WORLD FINALS
The Stotz Racing Team came to the AMA/Prostar World Finals with
a two bike team. I rode my past record setting (7.33E.T.) Honda
cbr1100xx Blackbird. My son Frank Stotz made his national debut
riding my cbr1000rr that took the record away (7.31E.T.) from
the Blackbird at the third race of the season. Most people think
just because of the sheer numbers of Suzuki's and Kawasaki's at
the drag strip that they should own the records. When you look
back at the record books, Stotz Racing and it's Honda's have owned
either the E.T. and/or MPH records for most of the past seven
years that we have been on Honda's. This is a fantastic accomplishment,
especially given the odds of at least 100 Suzuki's to 1 Honda
built for the ProStreet class alone. Honda's superb engineering
and Stotz Racing's experience and dogged determination are what
made these records and championships possible.
I want to thank all of the Stotz Racing sponsors that helped make
all of this happen. When you race a bike that does not have a
lot of aftermarket support to start with, the sponsors that do
help you are so much more important. Honda Rider's Club of America
has been the best support system a team could ask for. When the
HRCA decided to give drag racing a closer look, all the Red Rider's
from all parts of the country and many from around the world cheered
us on. Schaumburg Honda did anything we needed even at last minute
notice. Star Racing helped me design my motors with JE Pistons,
Falicon rods and crankshafts. Honda Pro Oils supplied the HP4
oil and the Honda Genuine Parts (stock cams, valves, cranks, clutches,
trans, etc). RC Components (Blackbird wheels) and BST Carbon Fiber
(RR wheels) have worked with the HyperPro suspension and Pingel
products to keep the bike hooked up to these performance milestones.
AirTech makes the bikes look good and Scorpion Helmets with Joe
Rocket leathers have made me feel safe. After my accident in testing
back in January, I appreciate all the R&D these companies
do to keep us safe.
Velocity Racing Turbo Systems and now chassis components, headed
by my good friend Barry Henson, was a team mate in 2003. Not only
do they produce the most up to date Turbo Systems their quality
is second to none. I helped start the ProStreet class in 1995
(known as Streetbike Shootout) but since 2002 Barry and I not
only had the same vision as to what we thought the class could
become we had the fortitude to carry out a plan to get ProStreet
(and now SuperStreet) where it is today. We could not have set
the records we did without Barry (even though we now compete against
him) but more importantly I want to thank him for looking with
me to the big picture of bringing Street tire motorcycle racing
to the most widely publicized audiences to date.
We were #1 in points for a good part of the season but did not
hold on to our lead. Going into the Finals I knew we could not
finish #1 so I used this race to prepare for 2008. Frank did an
excellent job riding but we could not keep the bike from spinning
(something it had not done before with him riding). After we got
back I found it had a broken clutch basket. I wish we would have
found this earlier because I missed important passes on my Blackbird
to stay in the hunt. The Blackbird ran very well as usual but
I was basically one round behind everyone else and this bit me
in the second round of eliminations. The data showed I just had
the new configuration of the boost controller too soft for the
excellent track conditions. For the cbr1000rr's first full season
against the 8 year well developed Busa, I am proud of the record
setting, mid season point leading performance that Stotz Racing
accomplished. With Mark Harrell as crew chief, Frank Stotz as
test rider and Sharon Stotz as team coordinator we at Stotz Racing
say thank you to all of our supporters. We wish you a great holiday
season and look forward to 2008.
Kent Stotz
Stotz Racing
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