Near miss for Stoffer in Sonoma
By: Jack Korpela

Sonoma Post Race - GEICO-backed NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer, Karen Stoffer, currently ranked No. 7 in the POWERade point series, has built herself a reputation for overcoming the odds.

She has successfully rebounded from a near career ending injury in the pit area last season, and has won several races from the back of the field.

However even the comeback queen herself couldn’t overcome the quickest run in the history of the class. In round No. 1 of eliminations at the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals Buell-rider Chip Ellis ousted Stoffer with a record run of 6.91 at 193 mph.

“I knew what Chip was capable of and I knew I needed a good light,” Stoffer said. “It’s never easy to take a first round loss, especially at your home track. The bright side is that this motivates us to work even harder for the next one.”

The team displayed several signs throughout the weekend that it had a strong motor between the Suzuki frame rails.
“Transmission issues is what got us,” Stoffer said. “All-in-all we went in with high expectations because we made major changes to the bike. We did some good things. We were the third fastest bike in session No. 2 and thought we were in for a great weekend.”

Stoffer qualified in the No. 13 spot with a 7.08 at 190 mph, a run that would have typically landed her a spot in the top half of the field. However for the first time in NHRA history the top four bikes were all in the six-second zone.

“It’s deceiving. The class isn’t really tightening up. A few competitors are just taking a big giant step in front of everyone,” Stoffer said “We had all gone into this race anticipating a few sixes and we knew we had the power to run sixes.”

Next up for Stoffer will be the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 10-13.

“We’ll definitely be ready,” Stoffer said. “We have two test sessions lined up for that race.”

Stoffer extended a special thanks to all of the 2006 sponsors.
Geico Motorcycle Insurance 1-866-326-2036, Mac Tools, Bates Leathers, NGK, Airtech, Wrath Motorsports, Square One Graphics, and Vance and Hines Motorsports.