Cownden Runner-Up at Bristol NHRA Exhibition 

Victoria BC’s Damian Cownden finished runner-up during a very special  Nitro Harley exhibition event included with last weekend’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol TN….

The Damian Cownden Racing team had luck on their side, as they battled through transmission issues all day to a runner-up spot at the 11th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, in Bristol Tennessee.   This event was the first time since 2004 the Nitro Harley-Davidson’s have been invited to an NHRA National event.

Damien Cownden (Photo by: Paul Grant)

Cownden fell to Tommy Grimes and the Ray Price Racing team of Raleigh North Carolina.  Damian Cownden made the starting line after battling several clutch and transmission issues throughout the day.   Tommy Grimes took the victory with a 6.328 ET at 224MPH.  Cownden’s transmission failed just 60 feet past the start line.
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“Even though we wanted to win such a prestigious event, it was still a great weekend for our team, we’ve come a long way from sand drags just 5 years ago, so lining up for a final round in front of 50,000 people with guys like Robert Height and Antron Brown lined up behind us” said Cownden after the event.
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After three qualifying rounds Damian Cownden qualified in the 4th spot for the event, with an ET of 6.55 at 213MPH.  In round 1, Damian the 2010 Canadian national champion met Jay Turner, the 2010 US National champion.    Turner broke at the start line, giving Damian the pass into the semi-final. 
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Still battling clutch problems the team met fast qualifier Mike Lehman of Jupiter Florida in the second round.  Lehman left the line .252 seconds early, giving Damian Cownden the win, and the move into the finals. 
“I need to thank Harley-Davidson and the NHRA for all their efforts to make this event happen.  It was the best event we have ever participated in, and I hope all the fans enjoyed the show the Nitro Harley-Davidson’s put on for them”  commented Cownden on the event.
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The DCR team does not have to wait long for their chance at another final round.  The team heads to Edmonton Alberta for the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals, the largest drag racing event in Canada.  In 2008 Damian Cownden took home the victory in this event, and was runner-up in 2009.
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ABOUT DAMIAN COWNDEN RACING:
Damian Cownden Racing is based in Victoria British Columbia Canada.  The team competes in the CMDRA (Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association), NBRA (Nitro Bike Racers Association), NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), IHRA (International Hot Rod Association), and the AHDRA (All Harley Drag Racing Association).
The team won the 2010 CMDRA Top Fuel Nitro Harley-Davidson Championship.  
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The team is supported by a number of sponsors, including Parker Johnston Industries, Steve Drane Harley Davidson Victoria BC, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Red Deer Alberta, Tedford Overhead Doors, Nordic Fencing, Doktor Doom, RAP Tech Milling, Canadian Biker Magazine, skullrings.net, Metropol, Airgas, Amsoil, R.E. Cycle, RTR Mechanical, Bulldog Construction, Lordco, joesshowroom.com, Perfections Paint, and Victoria Plating.
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Posted by:  Jason Gallaugher