Maurice Allen sees potential in pro riders
Milwaukee Tools Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Maurice Allen says the pace of all competitors is going to have to increase with many tough teams converging on Sydney Dragway for the Nitro Champs on May 3-5.
Allen took what could be classified as a fortunate win over Luke Crowley at the last round of the championship in Sydney, when Crowley left with a below average reaction time and could not use his overwhelming performance advantage to pass Allen before the finish line.
Allen said there was no doubting Crowley's performance, but picked some other names from the group who could show their hand in Australia's biggest city.
"Luke is running fast and that's awesome as it drags everyone along, but our deal has always been about consistency," he said. "The philosophy is about getting down the track all weekend with a reliable package and being good at the (Christmas) tree and then you at least have a chance of going rounds.
"As well as Luke there are also guys like Phil Howard and Ross Lemberg who should be back at the Nitro Champs and they can run fast too so really you just have to worry about what's going on in your lane."
The trip to Adelaide proved worthwhile for Allen in a number of areas. As well as winning the Aeroflow Summer Speedfest, Allen then performed some demonstrations at the Clipsal 500 and felt as if the Suzuki, still just a few runs old, was responding well to changes.
"The new bike is awesome and we feel it is coming into its own with the way it responds to small changes," he said. "We have some new parts for the Nitro Champs and are hoping to pick times up a little however we just need to keep focused on the job at hand which is winning the event.
"We came away with some good round wins in Adelaide against tough guys and that's what Pro Stock Motorcycle racing is all about."
Allen will also be launching a new partnership at the Nitro Champs as Fuchs comes on board.
"We have just joined the Fuchs team and they have been terrific with allowing us to develop an oil specific to our needs and there is no doubt we are looking forward to the relationship and doing well for them on the track where it counts," he said. "Their level of professionalism and approach to racing is second to none and if we can harness the potential of what Fuchs has to offer then it can only help us."
The Nitro Champs feature not just the high revving Pro Stock Motorcycles but also the thundering nitro Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, supercharged Top Doorslammers, Pro Stock, Top Alcohol and Top Bike plus the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship.
