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NHRA PDWERade Drag Racing Series Round 1 : Gainesville Raceway Mateo Tools rider Craig Treble celebrated the second win of his career at the NHRA Gatomatlonals at Gainesville Raceway, the tlrst of 14 Pro Stock Bike races on the 2002 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing tour. STORY AND PHOTOS BY KEVIN McKENNA GAINESVILLE, FL, MARCH 14-17 hen Craig Treble made the move to Pro Stock Bike as a privateer in 1998, it took less than a full season for him to win his first race. Uttle did he know that, despite a major sponsor and competitive equipment, it would take him more than two years to reach the winner's circle again. Treble's quest for a second title ended when he beat reigning NHRA Pro Stock Bike champ Angelle Savoie in the final round of the Gatornationals, the first of 14 races on the 2002 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing tour. Treble, who debuted an all-new Matco Tools Suzuki GSX-R at the event, edged Star Racing's Savoie at the finish line, 7.24 to a 7.26. "When I won my first race in Brainerd, Minnesota, in 1999, my engine builder, Byron Hines, told me that I had better enjoy it because the second win wouldn't come as easy," Treble said. "Man, he was oh so right. I was beginning to think I'd never get it done." Treble arrived in Gainesville with a brand-new bike which features an innovative new chassis design. The bike, which was designed by chassis builder Sandy Kosman and Kenny Williams, features many innovations, including an adjustable steering head that eliminates the need for a conventional triple-clamp and an aluminum belly pan that is integrated into the frame and allows the engine to be set lower in the chassis. Treble took delivery of the new bike just two weeks before the season-opener in Gainesville, and didn't get to ride it until the day before the start of the race. After arriving in Gainesville, Treble had the new bike certified, then drove more than 150 miles to a track in Bradenton, Florida, where he made two test passes before returning to Gainesville just in time for the start of qualifying. Despite the lack of data, he was convinced that it was a superior design. "I had myoid bike in the trailer just in case, but the first time I popped the clutch on the new bike, I knew it was going to be good," Treble said. "The old bike ran a 7.17 in testing, so I W 18 APRIL 10. 2002' cue •• could have used it, but I don't think it would have been as good as the new one. This bike has so much flexibility; we can move the weight around where ever we need it. The only problem is that we don't have much data, but that didn't bother me." Treble qualified with a 7.24, good for the fourth spot in the 16-bike field. Eagle OneJVance & Hines rider Matt Hines, who defeated Treble in the final of the 2001 Gatornationals, set the pace with a track-record 7.15 at over 193 mph. Hines dominated during qualifying, but on race day, he slowed and eventually lost in the second round to Reggie Showers, who advanced to the semifinals for just the third time in his career. The event also marked the longawaited debut of the Screamin' EagleJVance & Hines V-Rod HarleyDavidson. The bike, which many have predicted will revolutionize the Pro Stock Bike class, drew plenty of attention, but rider G.T. Tonglet failed to make the field despite a 7.57, which stands as the quickest V-twin pass in NHRA Pro Stock Bike competition. Treble used a pair of 7.21 runs to get past opponents Greg Underdahl and Antron Brown in the first two rounds. Paired with Showers in the semi's, Treble slowed to a 7.28, but caught a break when Showers broke just off the starting line. n • _ os "We had Reggie covered by a little so we tried a few new things for that run, but obviously, they didn't pan out," Treble said. "I didn't expect us to slow down that much, so I guess we were lucky that Reggie didn't make a clean run. Needless to say, we went back to our old combination for the final.' Savoie, who debuted a new 11.1000boclied machine in Gainesville, had the quickest bike on race day with a best of 7.17 in her semifinal win over Spy Suzuki's Shawn Gann, but in the final, she missed several shift points and slowed to a 7.26. allowing Treble to take the win. "I could have won this race. I should have won this race,' Savoie said. "When I left the starting line, I just started hitting the [air shifter] button. I short-shifted the first four gears and that's why I ran so slow. lt was totally my fault. I don't know why I did it, but it cost me the race. Starting the year off with a runner-up isn't the worst thing, but we're still trying to find a sponsor for the rest of the year so I could have used a win. I also feel bad for my team because I know how hard they worked this winter.' In winning his second career title, Treble also claimed the points lead for the first time in his career although he is well aware that, with 13 races remaining, the season is a long way from over. "I had never beaten Angelle or. Antron Brown before this weekend and I beat both of them today. That was a first for me,' Treble said. "I got a gift in the fmal because Angelle was off her game, but I'll take it. I know it's going to be tough this year. Angelle will be back and so will Antron and Matt Hines. I'm also deeply concerned about that Vance & Hines Harley. Once they get that bike sorted out, I'm sure it will fly. I'm just happy to get a win out of the way early. Now, we've got something to build on for the rest of the season.' CfIII &ainesville lIaaw.y &ainesville, Flori... Results: rhn:b 15-17, 2002 (Hoand 1'" 141 PRO STOCK FINAL: 1. Crolg Treble (Suz) 7.24/184.17: 2. Angelle Sovole (Suz) 7.26.184.52. NHRA POWERADE PRO STOCK BIKE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (Arter 1 of 14 events): 1. Crolg Treble (115/1 win): 2. Angelle Sovoie (97): 3. Shown Gonn (76): 4. Reggie Showers (73): 5. Mett Hlne. (58). Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 - Houston, Texas (April 11-14) Round 3 - Atlanta, Georgia (May 2-5) In the tlnal round, Treble (near Ianel defeated two-time series champ, Star Racing's Angelle Savoie lfar Ianel, 7.24 to 7.26. Savoie's new Suzuki TL1000 had been the quicker bike, but she short-shifted It In the tlnal.