The Derby Bike Bash at Ohio Valley Dragway

The Van Sant/Trick-Tools team rolled into Louisville for their second race of the season excited to compete and the competition didn't disappoint. 30 Pro Ultra 4.60 bikes came for the annual event hosted by Deshawn Wheeler of Wheeler Machine and sponsored by CC Powersports.  The race was threatened by rain on and off all weekend but in the end was completed with minimal delays and was a huge success.

Qualifying went well for Chase and the team with several close-to-the-index runs.  A 4.616 got them the number 7 spot in the ultra tough field of bikes anchored by Courtney Wheeler's dead-on 4.600 on his small tire entry. 

Sunday eliminations started with a bye run due to a broken bike in the other lane.  Unfortunately there was no time given due to some confusion in the tower and the tree not activating properly.  "We would have loved to get a time to see where we are at in these changing weather conditions" remarked crew chief Bruce Van Sant "but this is not the first time this has happened to us.  At the World Finals last fall we had the same thing happen and it actually hurt the engine from waiting so long.  Luckily Chase had the presence of mind and experience to know what was happening and went ahead and launched the bike.  We don't like making a wasted run but it's better than taking a chance at hurting something again." 

Second round paired the team against eventual winner Randy Butler and a .004 second foul start ended the team's day earlier than hoped for.  "We had a blast racing here with a bunch of great racers" said Chase of the weekend effort. "We are real happy with the way the bike is running and will be ready for the next event in Huntsville, Alabama."