Back to Back wins for Barkley

Ten Time CMDRA Champion Ethan Barkley started off the 2011 season on the right foot as he took home some hardware at the opening two rounds of the CMDRA's 2011 Season.

The Black Jack's Roadhouse Spring Nationals started off the CMDRA's 2011 season in fine fashion. Perfect weather and large crowds greeted the best motorcycle drag racers from across Canada and the Northwest U.S.A.. Saturday qualifying went well with Ethan aboard "Snow White", he managed a solid 4th position out of 30 competitors. In Pro Street, "Eleanor" proved once again that this little 999cc is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing by posting a 7.652 @ 185 to qualify in top spot. Sunday's eliminations in the Street Class were over a little too soon than Ethan would have liked. He lost in the quarterfinals by running only a few thousands of a second too quick, a 9.606 on a 9.61 dial in. In Pro Street he was on track, running a 7.64 and a 7.89 in rounds one and two. He met up with Dave Burliegh in the finals and turned up the boost to take the win with a 7.627 @ 187 to Dave's 7.79 @ 190. (video here)

The next stop in the series had competitors travelling up north to Prince George, B.C.. Tricky Track conditions proved to be a handful for the competitors with high horsepower, including the Pro Street class. Ethan qualified in top spot once again in Pro Street, but didn't fair so well in Street as he was mid pack after Saturday's qualifying session was over. The weather was terrible, and it rained all morning Sunday, putting the whole racing schedule way behind. Barkley was not having a good time in Street, as "Snow White" was lofting the front tire a bit too much and messing up his consistency, thus Ethan lost in the second round. In Pro Street things were much better as Ethan cruised to another victory with a tire spinning 8.3 second run.

Ethan sits in number one spot in the Pro Street class by a wide margin and is in fourth in Street. His sights are already set on the CMDRA's next event, the Sturgis North Nitro Nationals in Aschroft, B.C.

Barkley ahead of Burliegh in the Pro Street Finals

Ethan and EB Speed crewchief, James Carlin, at work in the pits

Photos by: Darrell Kerner & Leonard Skifton