DCR Edmonton Post-Race Report

The Damian Cownden Racing team and pilot Damian Cownden were in Edmonton, Alberta for the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals, competing in the Nitro Harley-Davidson division……
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The event is the largest drag racing event in Canada, attracting tens of thousands of spectators and competitors from all over North America.  The event was plagued by rain showers on and off throughout weekend, with the first round of qualifying rained out Friday evening, and Friday night’s second round moved to Saturday morning.
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Damian Cownden qualified in the #5 spot for the 8 bike field, which saw 5 bikes not qualify for the event.  Damian’s first pass was his best for the day, with an E.T. of 6.882 and a speed of 200.17mph.
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“The weather changes have made tuning the bike difficult this weekend, but I’m happy we were able to qualify in the 5th position, especially considering some very good bikes have loaded up and gone home” said Cownden after qualifying.
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Damien Cownden's Top Fuel Harley

Sunday morning saw even more rain showers, but the IHRA crew was able to dry and prepare the track in time to get eliminations off on time.
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Round 1 saw Cownden face #4 qualifier Nate Gagnon.  The scene was set for a tight race, as Cownden was the 2008 Champion of the Rocky Mountain Nationals, as well as the defending CMDRA Top Fuel Champion; Gagnon won the CMDRA event just two weeks ago In Edmonton.
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Cownden was quicker off the line with a .086 reaction time to Gagnon’s .104.  Gagnon’s bike however was able to pull ahead by the 60’ mark, and remain in front through the ¼ mile, taking home the round win.  Jay Turner of Julien North Carolina took home the victory over Steve Dorn.
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Cownden still found a bright spot in the weekend. “Going out in the first round is a disappointment for the whole team, however we were able to get four runs in front of thousands of fans, and talk to hundreds personally.  We were also able to have several of our sponsors attend the event, from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson from Red Deer Alberta, Doktor Doom Pesticides, and Triplesixers.com
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The next event for the DCR Top Fuel team is the CMDRA event in Prince George BC, were they continue the defense of the Top Fuel Championship.
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ABOUT DAMIAN COWNDEN RACING:
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Damian Cownden Racing is based in Victoria British Columbia.  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).
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The team won the 2010 CMDRA Top Fuel Nitro Harley-Davidson Championship.  
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