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A happy moment in victory circle for Vance end company. (Below) C8rpenter wes top qualif'ler. Vance's quick reflexes paid off for the Pro Stock title at Indy. Vance golden at NHRA IISilver Anniversary" Nationals By Tom Blattler Photos by Les Lovett INDIANAPOLJS, IN, SEPT. 3 After settling for the bridesmaid's role in two previous National Hot Rod Association National events this year, tJ. S. Suzuki factory rider Terry Vance finally made it to the winner's cirin the nation's largest and richest drag racing event, the 25th annual "Silver Anniversary" U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Vance, the 24-year-old General Manager of R.C. Engineering in Gardena. CA, pulled off the holeshot start in the final round of Pro Stock motorcycle competition to upset the number one qualifier, Bob Carpenter of Comwells Heights, PA, to record his first NHRA National event title. Riding a GS 1000cc Suzuki, Vance parlayed the quick start and recorded' a quarter-mile clocking of 9. I 9 seconds with a top speed of 144.69 mph to defeat Carpenter's quicker 9.16 at 143.08 mph and notched the biggest victory of his racing career. Coming off a major win at the IDBA Summer Nationals In Washington, D.C .. Vance piloted his Suzuki to second position in qualifying with a time of 9.12 seconds and topend speed of 145.63 mph. Terry took out the likes of Vicki FaIT, Rick Klie and Carpenter to grab top honors in the eight-bike lineup. Carpenter, the winner of the NHRA Summemationals in Englishtown, NJ, in July. held down the number one position in qualifying with low e.t. of the event at 9.08 seconds with a speed of 145.35. Bob figured to be the favorite entering the final eliminations, as his 900cc Kawasaki ZI h~d dominated the action in New Jersey and during qualifications. Sid Pogue of Oklahoma City, OK, the first Pro Stock rider ,to break the nine second barrier at WashingtOn, D.C., rounded out the top three slots with a 9.15 at 146.57 mph, tOp speed of the meet. Fourth spot in qualifyinjt went to Butch - Pace of Edwardsville, IL, aboard a Kawasaki, with a quartermile time of 9.29 at 143.08 mph, followed by Kawasaki-mounted Wayne Buckler of Ft. Myers, FL, winner of the opening two events on the NHRA circuit this year, at 9.30 seconds and 142.86. Vicki Farr of Skiatook, OK, the only female competitor, at 9.31 and 142.85, Rich Klie also of Edwardsville, IL, at 9.48 and 140.62 and Suzuki mounted Johnny Gibbs of Shreveport, LA, rounded -out the eight-bike starring field at 9.58 and 137.61. However, Gibbs' Suzuki was unable to make the fITSt round of eliminations and first alternate Geoff Masters of Cleveland Heights, Ohio moved into the lineup with his Kawasaki In the opening round of action, Carpenter led' off with a victory over Buckler in a battle of previous NHRA National event victors. Bob rode his ZI to low el,!psed time of the entire eliminations with a' strong 9.12 at 144.46 to the Florida rider's 9.37 and 140.62. Klie puJJed off the upset in the second matchup by defeating Pogue with a 9.43 and 141.50 to Sid's reading of9.52 and 142.18. Vance started his march to victory lane by beating Vicki Farr in the first round with a clocking of 9.15 at 145.39 to the gal's 9.37 and 143.08, while Pace put the alternate, Masters, out of action in the final race of the first round. Butch rode his Kawasaki to a time of 9.20 and 144.00 to Ge-offs off-pace 9.58 at 139.53. Semi-finals found Carpenter taking on Klie and Vance battling Pace, as the two finalists continued their march to the anticipated finale. Carpenter kept his consistency with a fine 9.15 and 144.00 to put away KJie, who notched a 9.46 at 139.96 mph. A redlight start by Pace gave Vance the easy advancement to the final round, but Terry ran a solid 9.24 at 143.76 to Pace', 9.47 and 142.63. In the finale, Carpenter had the option and the favorite chose the left lane, which was the same choice of many race car drivers throughout the U.S. Nationals. However, off the starting line, it was Vance with the definite advantage and Terry was able to hold off Bob's Kawasaki for the win and the top money. Pro Stock motorcycles will return to the National Hot Rod Association campaign on Oct. 5-7 at Ontario, CA, fur the season·ending Winston World Finals. • 17