In one form or another, rain impacted most all of the IDBL’s events in 2016. First-term president of the International Drag Bike League, Jack Korpela, had this to say about the heavily weather impacted season this year: “Every race this season was impacted by weather, it’s the unfortunate nature of the outdoor sport we love. The good news is only one event was a total rainout.”

When Jack was asked how badly IDBL racing hurt by weather this year he replied, “Any outdoor completion or entertainment option will lose some participation due to a poor forecast. Some choose to stay home for some of the events and I respect that. We are hoping for better weather in 2017. Above all, I think we had a great season and I am very pleased with the participation. I appreciate every racer who took part.”

Will Jack Korpela return as IDBL President in 2017? “At this point I certainly plan to,” he said. “I learned so much this past season, I’m excited to apply it next year.”

When asked if there will be any increase or decrease to the number of events for IDBL in 2017 Jack said, “We have put a lot of thought into determining the right number at of racing events at MDIR. Six was too many. I’m more in favor of three to four at MDIR. My thought is cutting back a race or two will give us the opportunity to make the ones we have bigger and better. There is talk of visiting another track. That is being carefully contemplated as well. I spent all season collecting feedback from the racers and want to make the best possible decision for them, with their input.”

Notable achievements at the final event for IDBL, and congratulations are in order to the 2016 IDBL class champions: Orient Express Pro Street: Joey Gladstone; DME Racing Real Street, Joey Gladstone; Vance & Hines 4.60 Index, Ronald Procopio JR; FBR Shop 5.60 Index, Mike Ostrowski; Crazy 8's, Dustin Lee; Top Sportsman, Jay Windsor; Shinko Tires Pro ET, Dustin Lee; and in Brock's Performance Street ET class racing, Bob Carlson.

Dustin Lee (Tom McCarthy photo)

Of special interest are the achievements of Dustin Lee, of Mohawk, Tennessee, who continues to dominate in sportsman racing across three sanctions, the IDBL, NHDRO, and MANCUP racing. During the 2015/2016 seasons, to date, Dustin has won eight national championships in various sportsman classes on more than one competition drag bike. Dustin has three NHDRO titles, three IDBL class championship titles, one MANCUP and a coveted BAMF award from DRAGBIKE.COM to his credit.

While racing at the MANCUP MTC Nationals, in Rockingham, NC, in September, I noted Dustin racing his multiple drag bikes in various classes at the same event and I asked him how many runs down the 1320 he makes in one weekend. He thought about it for a moment then replied, “Over 60, that’s about right, plus or minus a bit.”

Lee will make repeated test runs on a test & tune day prior to a national, then hammer multiple bikes in multiple classes all weekend. He races late into the night each race day. Dustin Lee is as tough as they come in Sportsman motorcycle drag racing.