Knapp Attack Racing Repeats as Champion on his Yamaha
August 20 , 2002
(NHRA & MSDRA Asphalt / Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series)
Mike Knapp completed the 2002 race season just like he started, on top! The #17 blue Yamaha driven by Mike, prevailed as the National Champion again this past weekend at the NHRA Rugged Liner Nationals as well as setting a new world record of 8.697 seconds at 153.61 m.p.h. Mike has won every event he attended this past season in the Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series. Mike and his team has shown up and completed what many teams dream of, that perfect undefeated season.
With all the hype of a nationally televised event and the estatic BIR (Brainerd International Raceway) fans the MSDRA racers seemed to keep their composure and put on a fantastic show. Many of the teams ran the best they have all season. In fact 3 of the 4 semifinalists broke the 9-second barrier, creating the perfect picture for a great weekend of racing.
After making just one qualifying pass on Friday the rain came in and put a hold on the racing action. Saturday morning the racers got to make one more qualifying run before eliminations began. The first rounds of eliminations started late Saturday setting the stage for an exciting show on Sunday. Mixed amongst the NHRA pro stock cars, funny cars and top fuelers were the sleds. The pro stock snowmobiles caught the eyes of many of the pro NHRA drivers and team owners. "With the opportunity to run down the same track as John Force and Kenny Bernstein makes this event something to looked forward to all year." Ethan Pleshar the #5 qualifier said. For the first time in snowmobile asphalt racing the MSDRA officials got the opportunity to work hand and hand with the NHRA track announcers and the ESPN production crew to do some color commentary live on the BIR airwaves during each sled pass. The ESPN crew covered a few passes of the sleds as well and put a few shots on national television during the elimination rounds.
The Sunday show started early with more fans and hype then Saturday. The semifinals where set and brought Randy Johns the #4 qualifier to the line to battle Mike Knapp. Mike Knapp had been clicking off 8.7 runs all weekend like clockwork. Randy would have his work cut out for him to do the same. Team owner and engine builder Dan Rigoni of Country Side Racing did all he could to get the sled ready and when the bulb turned green, Randy made his last pass of the season on the asphalt. Mike Knapp laid down yet another 8.756 run to Randy's run of 9.360. The other side of the bracket was any ones race. With two drivers who broke the 9-second mark earlier and looked to do the same this round it was one of the most anticipated races of the day. Darrin Weber who is a familiar semifinalist in the Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series burned an impressive run of 9.108, but it just wasn't enough to hold off the faster Mike Weston. Mike who was a semifinalist at the last race in Columbus found himself back in the mix of the semifinals this weekend. When it was done and over Mike laid down another 8.824 run to push him into the finals for the first time this season.
The final for the Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series was set. Mike Knapp and Mike Weston were ready for what would seem like the longest 9 seconds of their lives. With such consistent runs all day by both competitors the first to make the slightest mistake would be prayed upon. The yellow staging lamps seemed to burn forever, then the green and both racers grabbed a good light. The battle was even until the last 400 ft when Mike Knapp had just enough to take the checkered flag. His run of 8.702 to Mike Weston's run of 8.926 made him the king of the asphalt for the second year in row.
"We made this win our top goal early in the season and never lost focus." Mike Knapp stated. Nathan Oprita of the MSDRA said. "It is great to see a team put so much effort forward and obtain such positive results. Congratulations to Mike and his team."
The MSDRA is proud to crown Mike Knapp and his team, Knapp Attack Racing the 2002 Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series Champion. The MSDRA would like to congratulate him and all the national event qualifiers. This past season brought many found memories for the fans, racers, and sponsors!
Qualifying Lists
1 #17 Mike Knapp *8.697/153.61mph
2 #770 Mike Weston 8.764/150.10mph
3 #141 James Cooper 8.958/147.41mph
4 #139 Randy Johns 9.011/146.26mph
5 #F14 Ethan Pleshar 9.075/143.95mph
6 #3 Darrin Weber 9.082/145.45mph
7 #5802 Ron Bray 9.216/145.22mph
8 #747 Jamie Bellman 9.287/146.38mph
9 #650 Bryan Bellman 9.297/144.98mph
10 #13 Tim Steinke 9.375/134.63mph
11 #539 Jason Houle 9.415/139.54mph
12 #564 Danny Blachfelner 9.481/142.61mph
13 #94 Sean Ray 9.531/144.61mph
14 #404 Dave Goodwill 9.834/135.39mph
15 #45 Dave Williams 9.935/136.61mph
16 #99 Jason Dunigan 10.167/109.46mph
*New World Record: 8.697 e.t. @ 153.61 mph
August 20 , 2002
(NHRA & MSDRA Asphalt / Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series)
Mike Knapp completed the 2002 race season just like he started, on top! The #17 blue Yamaha driven by Mike, prevailed as the National Champion again this past weekend at the NHRA Rugged Liner Nationals as well as setting a new world record of 8.697 seconds at 153.61 m.p.h. Mike has won every event he attended this past season in the Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series. Mike and his team has shown up and completed what many teams dream of, that perfect undefeated season.
With all the hype of a nationally televised event and the estatic BIR (Brainerd International Raceway) fans the MSDRA racers seemed to keep their composure and put on a fantastic show. Many of the teams ran the best they have all season. In fact 3 of the 4 semifinalists broke the 9-second barrier, creating the perfect picture for a great weekend of racing.
After making just one qualifying pass on Friday the rain came in and put a hold on the racing action. Saturday morning the racers got to make one more qualifying run before eliminations began. The first rounds of eliminations started late Saturday setting the stage for an exciting show on Sunday. Mixed amongst the NHRA pro stock cars, funny cars and top fuelers were the sleds. The pro stock snowmobiles caught the eyes of many of the pro NHRA drivers and team owners. "With the opportunity to run down the same track as John Force and Kenny Bernstein makes this event something to looked forward to all year." Ethan Pleshar the #5 qualifier said. For the first time in snowmobile asphalt racing the MSDRA officials got the opportunity to work hand and hand with the NHRA track announcers and the ESPN production crew to do some color commentary live on the BIR airwaves during each sled pass. The ESPN crew covered a few passes of the sleds as well and put a few shots on national television during the elimination rounds.
The Sunday show started early with more fans and hype then Saturday. The semifinals where set and brought Randy Johns the #4 qualifier to the line to battle Mike Knapp. Mike Knapp had been clicking off 8.7 runs all weekend like clockwork. Randy would have his work cut out for him to do the same. Team owner and engine builder Dan Rigoni of Country Side Racing did all he could to get the sled ready and when the bulb turned green, Randy made his last pass of the season on the asphalt. Mike Knapp laid down yet another 8.756 run to Randy's run of 9.360. The other side of the bracket was any ones race. With two drivers who broke the 9-second mark earlier and looked to do the same this round it was one of the most anticipated races of the day. Darrin Weber who is a familiar semifinalist in the Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series burned an impressive run of 9.108, but it just wasn't enough to hold off the faster Mike Weston. Mike who was a semifinalist at the last race in Columbus found himself back in the mix of the semifinals this weekend. When it was done and over Mike laid down another 8.824 run to push him into the finals for the first time this season.
The final for the Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series was set. Mike Knapp and Mike Weston were ready for what would seem like the longest 9 seconds of their lives. With such consistent runs all day by both competitors the first to make the slightest mistake would be prayed upon. The yellow staging lamps seemed to burn forever, then the green and both racers grabbed a good light. The battle was even until the last 400 ft when Mike Knapp had just enough to take the checkered flag. His run of 8.702 to Mike Weston's run of 8.926 made him the king of the asphalt for the second year in row.
"We made this win our top goal early in the season and never lost focus." Mike Knapp stated. Nathan Oprita of the MSDRA said. "It is great to see a team put so much effort forward and obtain such positive results. Congratulations to Mike and his team."
The MSDRA is proud to crown Mike Knapp and his team, Knapp Attack Racing the 2002 Woody's Pro Stock Snowmobile Series Champion. The MSDRA would like to congratulate him and all the national event qualifiers. This past season brought many found memories for the fans, racers, and sponsors!
Qualifying Lists
1 #17 Mike Knapp *8.697/153.61mph
2 #770 Mike Weston 8.764/150.10mph
3 #141 James Cooper 8.958/147.41mph
4 #139 Randy Johns 9.011/146.26mph
5 #F14 Ethan Pleshar 9.075/143.95mph
6 #3 Darrin Weber 9.082/145.45mph
7 #5802 Ron Bray 9.216/145.22mph
8 #747 Jamie Bellman 9.287/146.38mph
9 #650 Bryan Bellman 9.297/144.98mph
10 #13 Tim Steinke 9.375/134.63mph
11 #539 Jason Houle 9.415/139.54mph
12 #564 Danny Blachfelner 9.481/142.61mph
13 #94 Sean Ray 9.531/144.61mph
14 #404 Dave Goodwill 9.834/135.39mph
15 #45 Dave Williams 9.935/136.61mph
16 #99 Jason Dunigan 10.167/109.46mph
*New World Record: 8.697 e.t. @ 153.61 mph
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I am a newbie to the asphalt racing concept, so don't crucify if these questions are stupid.
Was he riding an SRX in 2002 when he set a new world record?
There are ten sleds under 9.4 seconds, but I read about how others are trying to get their RX-1's down to at least 9.4 seconds. Is the RX-1 that much slower on asphalt?
Was he riding an SRX in 2002 when he set a new world record?
There are ten sleds under 9.4 seconds, but I read about how others are trying to get their RX-1's down to at least 9.4 seconds. Is the RX-1 that much slower on asphalt?
mike knapp was driving a v-max 4, these are all top of the line, light weight race sleds, the rx-1 tuning 9.38 is just a stock weight, stk engine rx-1, with only a cpr turbo installed set to 8 lbs of boost, it is in trail form, not in race form as the sleds listed are. in race form i think the simons cpr turbo rx-1 will run in the mid to low 8's pretty easily. jeff
srxmagic, your srx is very fast, but if you want a good running rx-1 give me a call, we'll get you set up with a cpr turbo, now you can race, and trail ride, all on one sled. jeff
