JOLIET, Ill. – GT Tonglet began the season with a new Nitro Fish/Tonglet Racing Suzuki GSXR and an optimistic approach to his return to NHRA’s Full Throttle racing series.
Now, after qualifying for the last two races and overcoming motor problems, he is looking forward to the United Association NHRA Route 66 Nationals, July 8-10, at Route 66 Raceway.
“Things are looking up for us,” said the older brother of reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion LE Tonglet. “We are trying to pick up a little more e.t. (elapsed time) here and there. We want to turn our season around.”
There have been some promising signs that he is heading in the right direction.
After missing the starting line-up at Houston and Atlanta, Tonglet recorded his first six-second runs at Englishtown, N.J. (6.951 seconds while qualifying 15th and 6.929 in an opening-round loss. That outing did prove costly because the team encountered the motor trouble.
However, Tonglet qualified 16th (7.077 seconds) at the last race in Norwalk, Ohio, and his time improved in each of his elimination rounds. His winning time was 7.023 in an upset win against top qualifier Hector Arana Jr. in the first round, and he dropped the time to 7.014 seconds in a loss to David Hope.
“If we can continue improving like that,” he said, “and go rounds at each race, I think we have a shot at making the top 10 in time for the Countdown to the Championship.”
This is the sixth of 10 Pro Bike regular season events. The Countdown begins Sept. 18.
Now, after qualifying for the last two races and overcoming motor problems, he is looking forward to the United Association NHRA Route 66 Nationals, July 8-10, at Route 66 Raceway.
“Things are looking up for us,” said the older brother of reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion LE Tonglet. “We are trying to pick up a little more e.t. (elapsed time) here and there. We want to turn our season around.”
There have been some promising signs that he is heading in the right direction.
After missing the starting line-up at Houston and Atlanta, Tonglet recorded his first six-second runs at Englishtown, N.J. (6.951 seconds while qualifying 15th and 6.929 in an opening-round loss. That outing did prove costly because the team encountered the motor trouble.
However, Tonglet qualified 16th (7.077 seconds) at the last race in Norwalk, Ohio, and his time improved in each of his elimination rounds. His winning time was 7.023 in an upset win against top qualifier Hector Arana Jr. in the first round, and he dropped the time to 7.014 seconds in a loss to David Hope.
“If we can continue improving like that,” he said, “and go rounds at each race, I think we have a shot at making the top 10 in time for the Countdown to the Championship.”
This is the sixth of 10 Pro Bike regular season events. The Countdown begins Sept. 18.
