Bahrain1 win two in a row!

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Bahrain1 Racing team have made it two victories in as many days in a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) meeting in the US, with Kristopher Thorne powering to first place in the Pro Mod category at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee.

Just a day after Bahrain1 teammate Justin Bond won in the same championship in a delayed NHRA New England Nationals meeting at the same venue, Thorne followed suit to keep the Bahrain flag flying high in the world’s most prestigious drag racing series. Thorne, the defending world champion, knocked off Mike Castellana in the final run early yesterday morning, Bahrain time, to claim his win.

The event was the fifth of 10 races in the 2023 season of the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, presented by Type A Motorsports, and four of those have now been won by Bahrain1, which is owned by His Majesty the King’s Personal Representative His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Bond has taken three wins and Thorne has picked up the maiden win of this campaign—and fifth in his career. Castellana went red in the final round, but Thorne would have been tough to beat regardless, going for a 5.816 seconds time at 245.32mph in his Bahrain1 Camaro.

Following his triumph, Thorne commented: “I’ve just got to keep digging and not stop. “I’ve hit some roadblocks, but I’m so thankful nobody has given up on me and given me all the opportunities to be here.

“I really appreciate everyone. Not much makes me emotional, but this stuff is tough, and I really dig it (when we can win).”

Thorne was one of three Bahrain1 drivers competing in the Thunder Valley Nationals, joined by Bond and Khaled Al Balooshi.

Thorne booked his ticket to the final after defeating Dymtry Samorukov in the third and penultimate elimination round, with Castellana overcoming Tony Wilson.

In round two, Thorne defeated Bond by the narrowest of margins, finishing his run in 5.827s with Bond going for a 5.852s mark.

Samorukov defeated Todd Tutterow, Castellana beat Marcus Birt and Wilson overcame Stan Shelton to advance.

The first elimination round saw Thorne beat Eric Dillard, Bond defeat Jerico Balduf, Tutterow win against Dwayne Wolfe, Samorukov beat Rickie Smith, Birt defeat JR Gray Jr, Castellana win against Sidnei Frigo, Shelton defeat Billy Banaka and Wilson overcome Mike Thielen.

Bahrain1’s Al Balooshi didn’t make it into the top 16 for the eliminations, having been classified 18th in qualifying amongst 20 participants.