MiRock Superbike Series at Budd’s Creek, MD

Words and photos by Tim Hailey

Headstrong North Carolinian Rodney Williford loves long bikes that go fast. A few years ago he developed a turbocharged GS-based Suzuki Outlaw Pro Street bike that was the first no-bar bike ever in the 6s, then quickly headed towards the 6.80s. His success got turbos banned from the 75-inch class — a debatable decision that some say led to Outlaw’s eventual demise at the end of last season.

A turbo guy all the way, Williford switched to a Hayabusa and the Pro Sportbike class. After impressing initially, Williford failed to find success in that short wheelbase class.

But now 68-inch Orient Express Pro Street is the marquee class in the MiRock Superbike Series, and Williford took the first win of the season at the Fast By Gast Spring Superbike Classic season opener April 25-26 at Maryland International Raceway (the scheduled March opener in Rockingham was rained out).

Williford beat two-time Pro Sportbike champ Vinnie Demito in the final. Demito struggled with the clutch set-up on Saturday and was pleased to have gotten as far as he did on Sunday. A lane choice gamble on his semifinal bye run proved costly to Demito when he spun badly at launch in the left.

The same left lane bald spot bit number one qualifier Mike Slowe, number two qualifier Curtis McDougald, number three Steve Jester, and number four Dimey Eddinger.

“I ran the right lane earlier, and knew there was better grip down track in the left if I could just get off the line without spinning,” explained Demito.

He didn’t, and got stuck back in the left for the final with Williford. This time he adjusted and spun only slightly but enough to lose a good, close race. Williford’s winning Shybear Racing ‘Busa was originally built by Ronnie Mitchell Racing in Detroit.