More tuning for the weather netted an 8.26 at 172.26—the first leg of a new MPH record. Rickey, his nephew, and his volunteer team started getting excited about the possibilities at this two-race weekend. “Richard informed me earlier in the day that I could possibly win the rainout race as well as the current race, which I hadn't realized,” said Rickey, who then proved that the new rule change equalized the class. Every pass he was in the .20s to low .30s. “When the semis rolled around there were three HTP GSXR1000's
and my lone Kawasaki ZX14. I had to race Norm Jackson, one of the quickest 1000's in the class. A slight holeshot and a stellar performance by the mighty ZX put me in the finals against Keith Thompson, the #1 qualifier. Another holeshot and a mighty 175 mph backhalf put me and the hefty ‘14 in the winners circle!”

Sunday’s elimination proved that legendary rider Gadson also knew how to tune for the hot weather. The ’14 ran 8.187 in the first round of eliminations, just .006 of a second off the ET record. Rickey then ran an 8.21 before facing Jackson again in the semis, with the same result as Norm’s GSXR had shifting problems. Thompson won again on the other side of the ladder to set up a déjà vu final. “The final results were a payback from the day before,” said Gadson. “This time, KT would not be denied.
I had a real good .057 light, but that was negated by tire spin.” Thompson drove around for the win.

“After the finals, tech wanted the injectors from both bikes to make sure everybody was playing by the rules.
Either way, I think the rules are fair now, and more ‘Busas and ‘14s will start to show up and make the class even more successful and full of action. I’ll be back there in July!

“Special thanks to Chad and Gary, and the guys at my shop—Brendan, Bryan, Dennis, and Al. Thanks also to my nephew Richard and my fiancée Kiana for her continued support.”

Rickey Gadson thanked his sponsors Kawasaki Motors Corporation http://www.kawasaki.com, Adams Performance,
Muzzy’s http://www.muzzys.com, Joe Rocket http:// www.joerocket.com, Motul http://www.motul.com, MSD SB6 Ignition http://www.msdpowersports.com/SB6_programmable_ignition.html,
Condor motorcycle stands http://www.condor-lift.com, PowerMist Fuels
http://www.powermist.com, Richie’s Tires
http://www.richiestires.com, Sportbike Zone http://www.sportbikezone.com,
and the Rickey Gadson Drag Racing School.

Rickey Gadson races next at the AMA Dragbike Summer Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee, June 20-22.