From a press release issued by Yamaha on a slow news day:

PATRICK RACING YAMAHA WARRIOR WINS HOT ROD CRUISER DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Sets Lowest ET and Fastest Top Speed

CYPRESS, Calif., November 12, 2002—Powered by an air-cooled, push rod engine producing over 150 horsepower, the Patrick Racing tuned Yamaha Road Star Warrior scalped the competition in the final round of the AMA Prostar Hot Rod Cruiser drag racing series.

Early qualifiers set the stage for the final when rider Mark Underwood ran a number one qualifying time of 9.75 seconds at 135.13 mph. In the final, the Warrior’s thunderous V-twin stormed across the line in first place, clinching the championship for team owner Nigel Patrick, and solidifying records for the lowest elapsed time (9.86 seconds) and highest top speed (133.51 mph).

Commenting on the victory Patrick said, “It has been a hard fought season and we are very proud to come away with a decisive win at this event.” According to Patrick, there is still more performance potential waiting to be unlocked from the Road Star Warrior. “We can’t wait to tap into it for next year.”

The Hot Rod Cruiser class continues to grow in popularity and participation with a 50% growth in entries over last year, according to Yamaha racing manager Keith McCarty.

He added, “This is an exciting class because these nearly street legal V-twin motorcycles put up some very impressive numbers. Patrick Racing’s championship win and the second place finish for Orient Express really says a lot about the Road Star Warrior’s performance potential.”