AOD’s 300-horsepower Sprint Bike Unveiled at VIR

By Bruce Wilkins

Melissa Berkhoff and Sam Fleming with a true monster bike

Alton, Virginia — Leave it to the innovative and colorful Army of Darkness race team to come up with a bike that is turning everyone’s heads in wonder this weekend at the WERA Cycle Jam at VIR.

A 1000cc Suzuki GSX-R from their stable has been outfitted with a Garrett turbocharger that will generate an estimated 300-horsepower, according to team owner Sam Fleming. Though known for being a powerhouse team in the WERA/Dunlop National Endurance Series, Army of Darkness will race this machine only in sprints.

Melissa shows a projected riding style for the bike

"Well, not only is it strictly for sprints, of course, but the only class that this bike is legal in throughout the entire country is Formula 1 in WERA," Fleming pointed out. "I just love it. It sounds like a P-51 (high-powered World War II-era fighter)."

Veteran AOD racer Jeff Walker will take the bike out for its maiden voyage today during the 750cc pratice session, then ride it in two Formula 1 races this weekend.

Left side view

AOD won first place overall in Round 1 for the Endurance series this year at JenningsGP and remains in the points lead going into Friday’s third round. But, the "special project" bike is indeed an AOD stepchild that is nonetheless getting all sorts of attention, both from within the team and from the rest of the paddock.

"All I can really say for now about it, is that it has an incredible amount of horsepower," Fleming said with a laugh. "But probably not enough chassis."

For a photo page on Thurday’s practice session, click on WERA Cycle Jam