One look at Duane Hamm behind the Canada Post counter in Oliver and you’d never guess he drag races motorcycles.
You really have to watch these unassuming postal clerks.
“I’m not as daring as others,” he said, referring to street bike racers, some of whom get their need for speed fix at the Richter Pass Motorplex in Osoyoos.
Hamm competed in Rumble in the Valley on September 28, and was recognized in the bike/sled category by defeating David Madson from Summerland.
Hamm drives a 650 cc (65 horsepower) Suzuki V-Strom.
He races because it’s his chance to do something different than just drive his motorcycle to work.
“It’s like developing a skill, it’s like going to school. There is a lot you have to think about.”
Well, he certainly had a lot to think about when he flipped a faster bike on the starting line and broke his hip a while ago. However, that didn’t deter him from continuing to race.
Fellow racer Warren Brown from Oliver had a 6.185 elapsed time at 118 m/ph at Rumble in the Valley. He drives a 1200 cc Kawasaki.
His need for speed began when he and a buddy raced cars, but he later chose a street bike because it was cheaper.
“You’re not strapped in and you’re out in the open. A lot of people think it’s crazy but it’s fun,” Brown said.
He also likes the fact that you don’t get any speeding tickets when you race at the motorplex.
“It’s a safe way to go fast.”
Brown, who is sponsored by Muller Motor Sports, said racing at the Osoyoos airstrip is a great atmosphere, where everyone shares a lot of laughs.
Brown said racing here is all about being consistent, which takes a lot of focus and luck.
One thing he does after each race is check all the nuts and bolts on his Kawasaki to make sure they are secure for the next run.
Eighty-six cars attended the challenge on September 28, when a record of 287 drag races were staged.
In the sportsman bracket, Riley Martin from Oliver, driving a 1990 Ford Mustang, was defeated by Aj Wayenberg from Peachland, driving a 1989 Chevy Sprint.
The Car Club Challenge fast bracket winner was Coachmaster Doug Blatchford from Oliver, driving a 1966 Chevelle convertible. He defeated Coachmaster Cliff Meeds from Oliver, driving a 1969 Chevrolet pickup.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
