Though the local police force is less than enthusiastic about the traditional kickoff to the Stunt Fest weekend, the riders make an effort to arrive early for the street ride that always gives some early insight as to who has been practicing.
Though the ride has nothing to actually do with the weekend's competition, it's a way to bring the competitors and fans together for a bit of old-school street blasting. While most athletes would probably be resting the night before a two-day competition, Stunt Fest competitors are out ripping the roads apart.
Star bar becomes the home...
Star bar becomes the home for riders, fans, motorcycle enthusiasts and others.
This year's Thursday street session had a surprise final destination at the Starboyz' newest business venture-Star Bar. Starboyz founders Kevin Marino and Scott Caraboolad recently opened the bar to give a place for local riders and fans to call home, and the grand opening was saved for the Stunt Fest weekend.
Though there were certainly some of the worst hangovers on record to be dealt with the following morning, Cleveland's Thompson Dragway soon hosted some of the most incredible riding seen to date. The day's open practice created quite a buzz that was definitely discussed at length that evening back at the Star Bar, where fire-breathing bartenders and scantily clad women helped entertain the already rowdy patrons.
Saturday's qualifying runs are mainly to help thin out the herd, and with as many as 30 entries per event there was plenty of business to be finished. As the vending area quickly filled with aftermarket goodies for the fans, the action on the track was heating up as well.
Eliminations for Fastest Wheelie, Longest Coaster, Longest Stoppie, and Individual Freestyle kicked off at 11:30 a.m. and continued throughout the day. Emotions ran high as the competitors made every effort for a chance to win the grand prize-a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R600 for the weekend's top-point-scoring rider.
Dan Jackson shows his wheelie...
Dan Jackson shows his wheelie face.
New rules made the Longest...
New rules made the Longest Coaster even more technical.
Bill Dixon does it again in...
Bill Dixon does it again in Longest Stoppie.
Stunt Fest is all about the big show on Sunday, when riders bring out all the game they have. Fastest Wheelie came first, and though most ran the quarter-mile on the rear wheel in the 115-mph range, Dan Jackson's 121.4-mph rip was good for first place and $1000. His speed was four miles per hour quicker than last year's winning run, showing just how powerful his 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 is.
The Longest Coaster competition saw a winning distance of 880 feet from Drastic Dan, but was actually less than last year's 1100-foot winning run. Much of this was due to a rule change which didn't permit riders to use the rear passenger pegs, thereby decreasing stability and making the trick that much more difficult.
Typically, the Longest Stoppie event is the most nerve-wracking for spectators and competitors alike, but this year there wasn't the usual reckless abandon-just perfectly controlled stoppies. Bill Dixon enjoyed a repeat victory and rolled exactly the same distance as he did last year at 940 feet-good for another $1000 in his wallet.
The jacket race saw as much...
The jacket race saw as much carnage as the main event.
The usual boring downtime between events was made more exciting this year as spectators got a chance at a few thousand dollars' worth of goodies from the Starboyz' sponsors. Two different foot races featured a set of Shinko tires as the reward, and apparently they're a hot item as grown men literally dove head first after the rolling tires. A Joe Rocket leather jacket was also awarded to the fastest sprinter.