Formerly known as AMA Prostar, this year’s newly renamed AMA Dragbike Championship has brought with it more than just a new look. Real Street, a brand new class for production-based motorcycles is set to become a real proving ground for aftermarket performance parts.

And the Brownsburg, Indiana based Vance & Hines Motorsports has entered the class with the newly redesigned 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa just for that very purpose.

Ridden by MIROCK Series veteran Doug Witt, the Vance & Hines Motorsports Real Street Hayabusa showcases the type of performance that can be achieved through engine tuning on an otherwise stock sportbike. With a heads-up competition format, Real Street rules allow for unlimited internal engine modifications while mandating the use of the stock fuel injectors and clutch as well as DOT tires. Turbos and Nitrous are also allowed.

With the combination of putting huge horsepower through a street clutch and tire, not to mention without a wheelie bar, the Real Street class puts a lot of emphasis on the finesse and skill of the rider. With vast experience and wins in the MIROCK Pro Sportbike and Outlaw Pro Street classes, Doug has the well-honed touch of getting this type of beast hooked up and down the track.

Eight rounds will make up the AMA Dragbike championship in 2008, and with a new bike and a new team under the direction of crew chief Joe Vanderbrink, this year will be dedicated to developing the Hayabusa and understanding how to get the best and most consistent performance out of it. So far this season, Doug has qualified as high as 3rd (Elmer Trett Nationals) and has twice advanced to the 3rd round of eliminations (Elmer Trett and Memphis Spring Nationals).

Dressed in Silver & Black, the Vance & Hines Motorsports team is not just out to make its mark on the track, the team also does double duty as a Vance & Hines mobile product exhibit. Customers can come to the team’s semi truck to check out exhaust and engine part displays, ask questions and pick up literature. The next race, the Thunder Nationals, will be the team’s home race at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, August 2 & 3.