Event No. 11 / O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals / August, 19 - 21 / Memphis, Tennessee

The O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals in Memphis TN, mark the start of the last one-third of the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season, the perfect place for Mike Berry to turn in a solid effort aboard the MB Precision Machining Suzuki.

The NHRA  Pro Stock Suzuki's were allowed to shed 10 pounds starting in Memphis, putting them at 590 lbs including rider and gear. The gesture by NHRA to the Suzuki bikes was an attempt to keep pace with the Harley's and Buell's, but as the Berry Suzuki proved, it is more of a political move than an actual answer to the ever increasing gap between the V-twins and the inline fours.

"Most of the Suzuki riders don't have 10 lbs to take off anyway, and the bikes that do have weight on them have it placed in a position that helps the bike get down the track. Taking off weight that is being used to balance out the chassis is not going to result in any dramatic increase it speed or ET," said Berry.

As qualifying opened in Memphis, the lightened MB Precision Machining Suzuki clocked a 7.244/180.33 to qualify 10th, followed by a slightly better 7.238/183.29 to finish Friday qualifying in the No. 13 position.

"For the last few races we have been switching back and fourth between motors that are showing promise from our R&D program, and motors that we feel we can run and get in the show," said Berry. "Right now we just need to make good passes and get in the program."

The Berry team stepped it up in Saturday qualifying, running a best of the weekend 7.207/185.13 to grab the No. 10 spot, then a 7.244/179.92 which neither helped or hurt the qualifying effort.

"The Saturday morning run was a good pass," said Berry. "Now that this bike is lighter than it ever has been before, it may take some time before we can make runs like that consistently."

In Sunday morning final eliminations the MB Precision Machining Suzuki faced another inline four bike, this one from fellow Suzuki rider Michael Phillips.

In the round one race, Berry left the starting line too early and killed any chance of winning by turning on the red light.

"Michael had a good run going so I was in trouble even if I was green." said Berry. "We'll pack up and head home and try to get our best stuff in the trailer for Indy."