Maryland International Raceway, Maryland USA 26-28 July 2024: The XDA’s 24th annual WPGC Bike Fest kicked off at Maryland International Raceway last weekend. The three-day event is also the fourth round of the XDA championship, featuring some close races, new personal bests, a sound and show competition, and a wild bikini contest. It is one of the largest motorcycle Drag Races in the United States. Around 600 competitors battled each other to win $90.000 in prizes, and several thousands of spectators were there to witness it all. The winners of the Pro Categories of XDA’s 24th annual WPGC Bike Fest are Jason Dunigan (PSB), Rickey Gadson (RS), Jeremy Teasley (SS), and Kenny Cornnell (4.50 index).

Text: Benjamin Wefer
Pictures Theodoor de Jongh & Francis Hermina

Jason Dunigan takes the win home during the XDA’s 24th annual WPGC Bike Fest in Pro Street Bike (PSB). Dunigan qualified third with a 6.439 seconds run at 230 mph, right behind Rodney Williford (Top qualifier, 6.363 at 228 mph) and Justin Shakir (number two on the qualification list with a 6.394). Dunigan met Ricky Wood in the first elimination round and also eliminated Jeremy Teasley and David Fondon in round 2 and round three. The final race went between Dunigan and top qualifier Rodney Williford. Williford had a better reaction time (0.027 seconds vs. 0.066 for Dunigan). Still, Dunigan clocked a 6.505 at 218 mph (350 km/hr) on the quarter-mile and took the win (Williford crossed the finish line in 6.676 seconds). With this win, Dunigan has closed the gap in the championship on Mark Rendeluk, who is currently number second (both have now 302 points).

In Real Street ($2000,- paycheck), Ricky Gadson won with a holeshot win! Gadson qualified second, only 0.014 seconds behind top qualifier Dystany Spurlock (7.456 seconds for Gadson vs. 7.442 seconds at 176 mph for Spurlock) and won from George Cross in the first elimination round. Gadson also won from Courtland Whitting (quarter-finals) and David Steward in the semi-final in a side-by-side race (7.491 for Gadson vs. 7.59 for Steward). The final race went between Gadson and Spurlock. Gadson reacted 0.049 seconds quicker on the tree than Spurlock (0.031 for Gadson vs 0.080 for Spurlock) and crossed the finish line in 7.493 seconds at 192 mph/308 km/hr (7.464 seconds for Spurlock). With this win, Ricky Gadson climbed the ladder from sixth to number three in the championship.

Jeremy Teasley takes the trophy and a $ 1000 paycheck home by winning Supper Stock during the XDA’s bike fest weekend. Teasley was the man to beat in Super Stock. Teasly Qualified first with 8.886 seconds at 158 mph (254 km/hr), met Seth Leach in the first elimination round and got a bye run in the second round. After winning from number sixth qualifier Patrick Cooper, Teasley met Mike Davis (2nd qualifier) in the semi-finals. It was a close race, but Teasley eventually proceeded to the final race (8.861 seconds for Teasley against 8.941 seconds for Davis). Jimmy Leach was the man to beat on the other side of the ladder. Leach qualified third with an 8.930-second run at 159 km/hr. The final race went between Teasley and Leach. Both have a similar reaction time, but Teasley crosses the finish line in 8.931 seconds and wins the race.

Kenny Cornnell wins the 4.60 index category ($ 5000 paycheck). Cornnel qualified in 26th place but stayed ahead of the competition during eliminations. He won the first round with a holeshot from Durwood Rawlings. Another holeshot win in the second round against Mark Schwalm (0.15 reaction time and crosses the finish line in 4.633 seconds vs. 0.079 reaction time and an elapsed time of 4.598 seconds for Schwalm). In the semi-final, Cornell had a reaction time of 0.006 and crossed the finish line in 4.605 seconds against Joe Procopio Jr. The final race went between Cornnell and Eran Pielert. It would have been an exciting race, but Pielert left the tree too early and handed over the race to Cornnell. Cornnell crossed the finish line in 4.618 seconds at 152 mph (0.011 reaction time).

Next to the Pro classes, the XDA’s 24th annual WPGC Bike Fest also featured the Grudge classes and Sportsman Categories. Here are the winners of the Grudge and Sportsman categories.

We from The Chronicles of Boost want to congratulate all winners. To the rest of the racers, keep a positive mindset. Every journey is learning, and come back next time stronger to beat the competition!

Category
 
Name
 
MONSTER BULLS
 
Michael Daddio
 
DMV BULLS
 
Nick Hamlett
 
ALL MOTOR BULLS
 
LA Payne
 
5.60 INDEX
 
Dustin Lee
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
 
Shawn Rainey
 
PRO ET
 
Ben Knight
 
STREET ET
 
Daniel Stribling
 
GAMBLER’S RACE
 
Mark Schwalm
 
BRACKET BASH
 
Nick Christmas