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SCREAMIN’ EAGLE/VANCE & HINES HARLEY-DAVIDSON TEAM OPENS ’05 SEASON WITH RECORDS, MILESTONE PERFORMANCE
GAINESVILLE,
Fla. (March 20, 2005) - Both ends of the national record, career-best
numbers, milestone performance and a track record – not a bad way to
start the 2005 NHRA POWERADE Drag Racing season.
The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team set out
this weekend to defend the 2004 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship
they earned with rider Andrew Hines. The 15-race season started with
the Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway and so far,
the season looks very promising.
“This team collected the first six-second run in NHRA history, both
ends of the national record and a track record,” Harley-Davidson Racing
Manager Anne Paluso said. “We want to defend our championship and this
is a great way to start the season.”
On Friday, returning champion Hines put Harley-Davidson into the
record books with a 6.991-second pass at 196.10 mph. It was the first
pass in the six-second range and the honor was worth a $10,000 bonus
from the Mickey Thompson 6-second Club. Hines later improved his speed,
reaching 197.45, setting both ends of the national record.
Hines qualified in the top spot with teammate GT Tonglet closely
behind in the number two spot. Tonglet set a track record, going 197.45
for a career-best speed along with a career-best elapsed time of 7.007.
He and Hines recorded the same speed, but the track record went to
Tonglet because he made the run first.
Both Hines and Tonglet were disappointed by losses in the second
round – Hines by red-lighting and Tonglet due to a mechanical gremlin –
but they both gained impressive milestones and kicked off the season
with high hopes of winning rounds in the future.
“We came into this event wanting both bikes to qualify in the number
one and two positions,” Tonglet said. “We did that and we got into the
six-second range too. I really wanted that mark but if I couldn’t do
it, I’m just glad it stayed with the Screamin’ Eagle team.
“To be able to run a 7.007 at the first race of the season is saying
something about the way the season is going to be. We have two great,
new bikes and we’re close to having two good, consistent setups.”
At just 21 years old and with a championship on his resume, Hines had a milestone performance at Gainesville.
“It’s disappointing that we both lost and in the second round too,”
Hines said. “Breaking the six-second record was amazing and it topped
the entire weekend, but it would have been better to finish the weekend
in the winner’s circle. This is a great accomplishment for the entire
team, our family and Harley-Davidson. It’s even better that it came at
the start of the season.
“Now we have to focus on winning rounds and winning races. We need
to start running for our second championship, and we have 14 races left
to make that happen.”
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the
spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’
Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications,
while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for
the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
The Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Ford Truck, Dunlop, Matco Tools and S100. | 
