Hector Arana didn’t start the season winning the 42nd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, but what he accomplished on the Lucas Oil Buell wasn’t too bad, either.
Arana set and backed up the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle national ET record during qualifying and followed that feat up by advancing to the semifinals on Sunday, leaving Gainesville Raceway second in class points.
“I’m pleased to come over here and set a national record,” Arana said. “To get to the semifinals is great too.”
He had a strong bike all weekend, but Arana said that during Sunday’s race his Buell started acting up more with every subsequent round.
“I saw that I was slowing down, little by little,” Arana said. “So my bike was hurt, but she got me to the semifinals so I can’t complain. We have been doing great so what more can I ask for?”
Arana beat Joe Desantis in the first round with a pass of 6.854 seconds at 191.19 mph, then followed it up with a 6.857 at 193.27 in the second round. In the semis against Karen Stoffer, Arana’s bike slowed significantly and crossed the line in 6.926 at 193.65 to Stoffer’s 6.841 at 196.39 mph.
“We have some time off so we can check everything, make sure everything is alright and working well,” Arana said.
