Event No. 8 / Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals / July, 15 - 17/ Denver, Colorado

There are many reasons Mike Berry and the MB Precision Machining Suzuki team look for ward to the Mopar Mile-High Nationals. One of the most obvious on the long list – it’s a very short drive.

 “This is our home track and the place I bracket raced at for many, many years,” said Berry. “But unlike other sports using home field advantage, I can’t claim any performance edge living close to Bandimere Speedway. But its great because racing at home because nearly everyone I know comes and roots us on.”

 Berry gave the Colorado faithful something to cheer about in early Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying, running a great 7.545 second, 178.80 MPH to grab the ninth qualifying spot Friday afternoon.

 “That was a good pass for us,” said Berry. “It was just what we needed to give us a place to start from.”

 A second Friday pass produced a slower 7.710 / 173.9 after the front tire popped out of the starting beams on the launch.

 “That run hurt us a little because that was the go-fast qualifying session of the four,” said Berry. “Our numbers show that overall we are running slightly better than we did last year at this race, but so far everyone else is too.”

 Saturday’s two qualifying passes would offer no help for the MB Precision Machining Suzuki squad. A 7.578 / 176.63 third session run was rather routine, but the final qualifying session on the mountain was not. 

“We lost our Denver motor on the last pass Saturday and that really put the handwriting on the wall.” said Berry. “I don’t think I have ever had a cam break the way this one did, but the broken motor has pretty much ended our chances for a Denver win.”

 As qualifying wrapped, the MB Precision Machining Suzuki sat in the No. 10 spot, earning a round one pairing against Matt Guidera on his Rocklin Motorsports Buell.

 “We have another motor in the trailer so we’ll stick that in and prepare for tomorrow’s race against Matt,” said Berry. “I am one of the riders that believe that the Harley’s and Buell’s have a definite advantage at sea-level, and up here at 5,200 feet above sea level that advantage is almost insurmountable.”

 In just his 2nd professional start, Matt did show what the Buells are capable of in the round one race, putting the home town favorite on the trailer with his 7.513 / 170.9 pass, easily ahead of Berry’s 7.636 / 174.48 attempt.

 “That was about as good as our back-up motor was going to run so I am pleased about that part of the race,” said Berry. “It is a relentless pursuit of horsepower and my plan Monday is to get back in the shop and look for more.”