Deby
Nitro Member
After a busy break, Hope is looking forward to Las Vegas
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/d_hope.jpg" alt="d_hope" align="right"borders="0"/>
Las Vegas, Prerace: It’s been several weeks since the Pro Stock Motorcycles competed on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series trail. For the Vroom Racing Buell rider, David Hope, the break gave him time to take care of personal business so that he can have a clear mind as he competes in this weekend’s ACDELCO Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hope is one of the rare racers in today’s world that holds down a demanding full-time job. He is the service manager for Nevada Auto Mall Ford, Chrysler & Jeep in Nevada, Mo. So, in this extended time off Hope was able to handle things at work so that he could concentrate on racing while at the race track. Besides handling work responsibilities, Hope had a full plate in his personal life. His younger sister, Jennifer, was married. He also got in some trail riding and was able to spend some fun time with family and friends.
“The big thing that our time away from racing allowed me to do is catch up at work,” Hope explained. “I don’t mean to diminish the importance of racing but I had so much going on at work and I hate when I have things incomplete there while I’m trying to do my best at the track. Both things are all-consuming and sometimes it’s difficult to separate the two. So, having my work handled will allow me to be at the race track with less of a burden. And that makes me feel I can do a better job for the team.
“I also had time to spend with my family and friends and just relax. We had a big family event. My sister was married and I did some Bible readings at the wedding. We were very busy with that and had a great time. And then this past weekend I was able to do some trail riding and I love to do that. So, all in all it was a productive and enjoyable break for me, but now I’m definitely ready to get back on the bike.”
The break in racing action gave all the teams a little time to get their race machines ready for the last two races of the season. And Vroom Racing was no different, taking the time to make some changes to the beautiful Buell.
“We made some changes to the bike,” explained Hope, “and we’re optimistic about the results. We had changed some things earlier in the season and let’s say they weren’t exactly to our liking. So, we went back to the way things were before those changes. We were happier with our performance then so we’re hoping that now that we’ve gone back to how things were, we’ll be happy again. We made a couple of steps forward and a couple of steps back and hopefully everything will come together in the end.”
Hope may be a newcomer to NHRA and will be making his first appearance at The Strip under the Vroom Racing banner, but he has raced at the famed facility many times and it holds many memorable highlights for the talented rider.
“The Strip is a great place and it holds great memories for me,” said Hope. “I raced here several times with the AHDRA and it was around this time last year that John (Hammock, team owner) saw me race for the first time. And in 2004, my rookie year, I secured the AHDRA World Championship by winning the race here. So, needless to say I like The Strip but maybe not for the same reasons other people like to come here. It’s a fun race track and it holds great memories. So, needless to say, I certainly am looking forward to this weekend and getting back on the bike.”
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/d_hope.jpg" alt="d_hope" align="right"borders="0"/>
Las Vegas, Prerace: It’s been several weeks since the Pro Stock Motorcycles competed on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series trail. For the Vroom Racing Buell rider, David Hope, the break gave him time to take care of personal business so that he can have a clear mind as he competes in this weekend’s ACDELCO Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hope is one of the rare racers in today’s world that holds down a demanding full-time job. He is the service manager for Nevada Auto Mall Ford, Chrysler & Jeep in Nevada, Mo. So, in this extended time off Hope was able to handle things at work so that he could concentrate on racing while at the race track. Besides handling work responsibilities, Hope had a full plate in his personal life. His younger sister, Jennifer, was married. He also got in some trail riding and was able to spend some fun time with family and friends.
“The big thing that our time away from racing allowed me to do is catch up at work,” Hope explained. “I don’t mean to diminish the importance of racing but I had so much going on at work and I hate when I have things incomplete there while I’m trying to do my best at the track. Both things are all-consuming and sometimes it’s difficult to separate the two. So, having my work handled will allow me to be at the race track with less of a burden. And that makes me feel I can do a better job for the team.
“I also had time to spend with my family and friends and just relax. We had a big family event. My sister was married and I did some Bible readings at the wedding. We were very busy with that and had a great time. And then this past weekend I was able to do some trail riding and I love to do that. So, all in all it was a productive and enjoyable break for me, but now I’m definitely ready to get back on the bike.”
The break in racing action gave all the teams a little time to get their race machines ready for the last two races of the season. And Vroom Racing was no different, taking the time to make some changes to the beautiful Buell.
“We made some changes to the bike,” explained Hope, “and we’re optimistic about the results. We had changed some things earlier in the season and let’s say they weren’t exactly to our liking. So, we went back to the way things were before those changes. We were happier with our performance then so we’re hoping that now that we’ve gone back to how things were, we’ll be happy again. We made a couple of steps forward and a couple of steps back and hopefully everything will come together in the end.”
Hope may be a newcomer to NHRA and will be making his first appearance at The Strip under the Vroom Racing banner, but he has raced at the famed facility many times and it holds many memorable highlights for the talented rider.
“The Strip is a great place and it holds great memories for me,” said Hope. “I raced here several times with the AHDRA and it was around this time last year that John (Hammock, team owner) saw me race for the first time. And in 2004, my rookie year, I secured the AHDRA World Championship by winning the race here. So, needless to say I like The Strip but maybe not for the same reasons other people like to come here. It’s a fun race track and it holds great memories. So, needless to say, I certainly am looking forward to this weekend and getting back on the bike.”
