Excitement Encircles Funny Bike in Norwalk
By: Jack Korpela

After three rounds of racing, the new and improved Orient Express Funny Bike series is really starting to heat up. If St. Louis' strong field of 11-solid motorcycles is any indication of what is to come, Norwalk may feature the most competitive field thus far this season.

Glen Nickelberry, the category's most recent winner rolls into Norwalk with plenty of confidence after an astounding break-out performance in St. Louis. On Saturday, Nickelberry could only muster up an off-pace 8.44 at 138 to qualify at the back of the pack in the number-10 spot. Personifying the cliché, "what a difference a day makes," Nickelberry redeemed himself in round-one of eliminations by posting a sizzling 6.79 to a shocked Tom Perry's 6.86. Nickelberry proved his performance legitimate as he consistently ran in the 6.70-6.80 zone, getting to the finish-line first all day long.

Semdra veteran, Travis Davis will look to further extend his points lead after appearing in all three finals this season. Davis collected his first win at the Richmond race, and much like any racer, is eager to get back to the winner's circle. "I'm tried of being the bride's maid," Davis said. Davis nearly missed his second event victory in St. Louis when Nickelberry's 6.70 overpowered his 6.85.

2001 class champion, Rob Giard is striving towards his second championship and is only 84 points out of the lead heading into Norwalk. Giard encountered mechanical problems in St. Louis but was still able to advance to the second round.

For the first time since the Alabama race last year, Steve Rice's beautiful turbo/alcohol, late-model Kawasaki was back in competition. Formerly campaigned by 2002 class champ, Chip Ellis, the bike was piloted by Jim Carrol in St. Louis. In Friday's test session, Carroll, who had never competed on anything quicker than a formula superbike, struggled to keep the bike straight and encountered other typical learning curve-type problems that could be expected from a first time Funny Bike rider. However, it did not take long for Carrol to accustom himself to the beast as he resembled a two-year veteran in round-one, posting low elapsed-time of the meet with a rapid 6.70

Gene Langley had an exceptional debut by snatching the pole-position aboard the former Bryan Bennett championship-winning bike. Langley advanced to the semi-final but could not get around the day's eventual winner, Nickelberry.

Korry Hogan, jockeying the former Wendal Douthat ride, continues his ascend into the points series and is currently in the number-six spot. The bad news for Hogan is that he still has around 30 hours of travel time to each event.

2002 number-four plate-holder, Marc Oliver uncharacteristically was unable to get into the sixes in St. Louis. Nevertheless, Oliver's strong showings earlier this season have moved him up to the number-three spot, just 59 points behind Giard.

The stage is set for a great mid-season series battle as only 16 points separate the dead-heat of Hollie, Perry, and Hogan in positions four through six.

Even guys at the tail-end of the championship race like Richard Provencal, Steve Dawson, and James Guyton are within striking distance of the top-five and are very much still alive in the points hunt.

Norwalk will be a pivotal event as competitors position themselves for the latter-half of the season. If you are a fan of the class or have an old Funny Bike in your garage collecting dust, don't miss out on what is sure to be a great weekend of Funny Bike racing from Norwalk, OH.

Jack Korpela can be reached at Lumberjack@dragbike.com