Dave Roper and Ari Henning at VIR

[davidd]

In an earlier post I included a photo of the starting line at Virginia International Raceway (formerly Danville). VIR has a giant oak tree in the corner just before the straight and below is a photo of that corner. I had just passed Jon Schultz on his Harley going into the corner:

Dave Roper, who placed second in the National standings just ahead of me, was not in this race because the Dondolino had put a rod through the case in the previous race at Grattan Michigan. Dave came to VIR and had forgotton all of his equipment. He borrowed leathers, boots, gloves and helmet to ride. Dave has a ERTT 350 Harley Sprint that he also races and the link below shows the race at VIR. Also at VIR was Todd Henning's son Ari, who writes for Motorcyclist magazine. Ari was on a Todd Henning Racing (THR) 350 Honda. Ari had more grunt with his engine, but the top speeds were similar. Dave has wildly high cornering speeds. Dave has a camera pointing back and Ari has a camera facing forward. The sound is from Ari's bike. Dave is number 7 and Ari is 980. You may also not the oak tree corner that is always in shade just before the straight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A1Ax_mUq9g

David

 

[bmetcalf]

Roper uses the full width of the track, doesn't he? Ari must feel frustrated that he can't stay ahead of a guy eligible for Medicare.

 

[davidd]

Bruce,

Dave studies the lines quite a bit. The video shows that he can pick a very fast line despite the fact he is down on power and not loose much speed through the corner. Ari is a great rider, but he needs that power to stay with Dave.

Dave has a nice site you might enjoy at: http://www.daveroperracing.blogspot.com/

Under the Dondolino tab he has photos of the engine after the blow up.

David