Please go to our new website at SVSPOWER.COM The Maxton Mile Ron Misjak, Jr.   Maxton is in the heart of N.C. and is home to the E.C.T.A (East Coast Timing Association) Maxton Monster Mile. Sanctioned along with the other land speed racing associations; S.C.T.A.(Southern California Timing Association), D.L.R.A.(Dry Lakes Racers Australia), and U.S.F.A.R.A.(Utah Salt Flats Racing Association). The Maxton mile presents itself as a proving ground and high speed dyno. Team Viper driver and director of vehicle synthesis Herb Helbig holds the record in A/GT class at Maxton with the speed of 193.966 mph in the standing mile. "A" stands for the cubic inch size of the engine and "GT" is the type of vehicle (Grand Touring). East Coast Timing Association Records Herb stands next to the Team Viper Maxton record holder in the fall 2002 issue of Viper Magazine. Maxton is not an easy track to tame and conditions are quite rough. The surface feels like Sebring Track in Florida, only worse. SVSi traveled to Maxton in September of 2001, 2 weeks after 9-11. Patriotism was everywhere and we felt bold and proud bringing the Stryker TT out to the track! Everyone was in red, white and blue and I thought this would be easy- WRONG ----lesson learned again. Setting up our pit area for the Stryker TT. Don Sleik (from Koller Dodge) has watched many reruns of "Karate Kid" to get the CRANE in perfect form. Checking out the ARMY going through drills on an empty runway next to us. 2 weeks after 9-11. Been to quite a few of these; safety is of the most importance! Turbo Hiabusa-Steve Knecum holds the fastest motorcycle track speed at 235.152 in the standing mile.(the Stryker TT should do it!) (WMV video - 1 MB) A healthy bucket heads out to the starting line. Let the fun begin. (WMV video - 2 MB) A healthy big block makes a run. TOP I  was  completely confident in the Styker TT after unleashing her on the Salt Flats a month earlier. The Maxton Mile was concrete (what was left of it) and a completely different arena. I was very nervous about track conditions and the wind. I wasn't sure what to expect from the end of the mile. I knew that the track was harsh and unforgiving. I let up on the gas somewhere around ¾ of a mile and coasted through at 167. (WMV video - 4 MB)   930 Turbo-I think they made it into the 180's   As I waited anxiously for my second run I felt ready to break 200mph with complete confidence. Only five production type vehicles broke that speed at the Maxton  Mile. I felt that the Stryker TT was capable of 220 to 230mph with ease.  I was ready to put huge numbers on the slip because I had tested the track and the power of the Stryker TT felt so smooth and easy to control. I said to myself " No problem I'll get this done and have an extra day to go deep sea fishing with the crew off Cape Hatteras"   "Always carry a spare trans when going racing" Sometimes things don't happen the way you planned. I think I jinxed our effort when I thought "Gone Fishing". The trans wouldn't shift into 4th on the run, but lost 2nd gear when it was over. That was weird! Anyway didn't bring a spare and couldn't line up a Dodge dealer. What do we do now? (WMV video - 3.2 MB) (WMV video - 2 MB) I don't know- looks pretty crazy on a bike! What the heck lets do it without 2nd gear! I think the trans was barely hanging on and nursing it was crucial. Couldn't get high rpm in 1st because it was too hard to shift into 3rd. Managed a 183 but still got out of the gas to early. Intimidation was beating me a little. Man I want the 200mph club, Bad! (WMV video - 3.9 MB) Tried staying in 4th and just missed the 200mph mark with a 197.369, still good for a record but wanted 200mph. I still got out of the gas a smidgeon too early and thought let's wrap it up, the next run will probably be trans soup. If you listen in the beginning of the run you can hear the trans slide into gear after I shift into 3rd . TOP