SSB checks out the gear that one pro and one amateur choose to wear. This month, the DRAGracers show their stuff.
Stotz is a four-time AMA/Prostar Pro Street champion and currently heads the Honda factory-backed drag-race team.
Bike: Turbocharged 2006 Honda CBR1000RR Pro Street
How did you get sponsored?
"I realized 10-12 years ago that my personal goal to be fast has nothing to do with sponsorship. Sponsors wanted exposure. I was fast 20 years ago, but I didn't start getting noticed until 10 years ago."
What advice would you give an up-and-coming amateur?
"Ask not what your sponsor can do for you, but what you can do for your sponsor. Everybody has got their hand out saying 'I won a race and I can go real fast, can I get financial help from you?' But what does that actually do for the sponsor? If your sponsor gives you motorcycle gloves, what does winning the race do for them if you don't get it out to the media? Remember, it's a business."
Helmet:
Brand: Scorpion (http://www.scorpionusa.com)
Model: EXO 700
Price: $299
Why: "When I saw they wanted $299 for it I thought, 'How good could it be?' The technology surpassed what I was used to for higher-priced helmets. It doesn't fog, which means you don't need to run with it cracked open. Most helmets tend to lift when you do. That takes one more of those worries out of your mind."
Leathers:
Brand: Joe Rocket (http://www.joerocket.com)
Model: Drag Suit
Price: $1000
Why: "These are very similar to road-race leathers in terms of both look and function. They are a little heavier than traditional drag-race leathers but offer twice the protection."
Gloves:
Brand: Joe Rocket (http://www.joerocket.com)
Model: Speed Master
Price: $129
Why: "First thing you notice about Joe Rocket gloves when you put your hands in them is they have a natural curve. They have soft leather inside for good feel with reinforcement in the palms and a double layer of leather over the tip of the fingers and back of hand."
Boots:
Brand: Joe Rocket (http://www.joerocket.com)
Model: Speed Master
Price: $229
Why: "They are bulky but not stiff. Again they are road-race style so they have more protection than typical drag-race stuff yet they are comfortable while walking the pits all day."
The Amateur
Richard Gadson
Bikes: 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Super Sport
2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Super Street
Gadson is the 21-year-old nephew of Kawasaki factory racer Rickey Gadson. Racing for five years, he currently competes in AMA/Prostar SuperSport and Super Street.
Why do you think you should be sponsored?
"I have a lot of experience for my age. I get a good amount of ink in magazines and exposure on Web sites already. I work for a motorcycle shop so I am familiar with how the aftermarket works. I learned a lot about the business of racing from my uncle."
Helmet:
Brand: Scorpion (http://www.scorpionusa.com)
Model: EXO 700
Price: $220
Why: "I wear two different ones. The yellow one matches my Suzuki bikes and I wear the black one with a smoke shield for grudge racing. It looks mean. It is good quality for the price. It is light, fits good, provides good protection, not much wind noise and good styling. What else do you need in a helmet?"
Leathers:
Brand: Bates (http://www.batesleathers.com)
Model: Two-piece Drag Race Suit
Price: $1500
Why: "I have been with Bates from day one. I went down two years ago and the leathers performed well so I saw no reason to switch. I like them because they are plain and simple."
Gloves:
Brand: Bates (http://www.batesleathers.com)
Model: Fast Lane
Price: $80
Why: "I like the gloves for the same reason I like the leathers: the softness of the material. The fit and feel are great."
Boots:
Brand: Simpson (http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com)
Model: Sprint
Price: $120
Why: "I race a lot of foot-shifted bikes and I like that I can feel what I am doing better with these boots."