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 Born
June 3, 1971 in Lynwood, California, Aaron Scott Pine was born with
a competitive spirit, which led him to BMX (bicycle) racing. At the
age of twelve his parents rewarded his good grades with a Kawasaki
KX80. His early days of riding were mostly conducted in the desert
but would eventually give way to pavement.
Within two years of having his driver’s license Aaron started street
racing his 1960 Volkswagen Bug. He and his friends decided that
racing on the street was getting too dangerous so they decided to
move their passion of drag racing to the safety of the track. Aaron
and his buddies started racing at Carlsbad Raceway and then at L.A.
County Raceway in Palmdale. Aaron’s original VW was a 2332cc
turbocharged Bug that ran 10.50’s. Then he upgraded to a full-blown
VW race car that ran 9.50’s, but he said that thing was getting way
too wild which convinced him that switching to bikes would be a lot
safer. Aaron’s parents refused to let him have a motorcycle, but
when they were off on vacation he and his racing compadre Fred
Camarena snuck off and bought a GSXR 750. With engine help from
Larry Laye, Aaron was on his way to a motorcycle racing career.
Aaron’s progression in motorcycle drag racing covered the gambit
starting with Pro ET all the way up to Funnybike hitting almost
every class in between including Super Gas, Super Comp, and Top Gas.
His reward was five NMRA Championships in Super Gas, Super Comp and
Top Gas.
In more recent years Aaron won the 2008 Summit ET Track
Championship, 2009 National Dragster Challenge Champion and King of
the Track, 2010 California State Champion (put on by NHRA Member
tracks), and the 2010 Jegs Sports Nationals in Fontana. Aaron also
just missed the 2010 Division 7 championship by only 11 points
aboard Glenn and Sharon Merchant’s ZX-14. Glenn is the guy behind
Bronze Star Racing. Glenn received a Bronze Star during Desert
Storm, hense the name. The ZX is the second bike Aaron has ridden
for the Merchant’s. They used to own an ex-Dave Schultz Pro Stocker
that Aaron rode in Top Gas about five or six years ago.
While at the division
finals in Vegas, Aaron hooked up with Charlie Sullivan, father of
NHRA Pro Stock’s youngest racer, Katy Sullivan or “California Katy”
as she is known at the races. Before the weekend was over, Charlie
had made Aaron an offer he couldn’t refuse. As it turns out, Charlie
also owns Mike Berry’s old Pro Stock motorcycle and asked Aaron if
he would like to race it at the NHRA Finals at Pomona the following
weekend. What racer in their right mind would say no to that? Aaron
went into high gear to get his entry in time for the event. Even
though plagued with bike problems that kept them from qualifying,
Aaron was grateful for the opportuity which gave him the hunger for
more NHRA action. Aaron hopes to secure an NHRA ride in the near
future.
From my own perspective Aaron was one of the standouts during the
AMA/Prostar West days and was always professional in his team’s
appearance and demeanor. I’ve said it before and it bears repeating,
I miss the West Coast series. For me, it was fun running events out
West because of the small bike counts. It was easy for the racing
staff to have more camaraderie with the racers. Running events with
500+ entries back East left little time for socializing. I use to
joke that at Prostar national events the only way that I got to know
people is by them ending up in the winner’s circle or storming the
tower with a complaint. I’m truly sorry for that.
The photo above is
Aaron’s ole’ standby Top Gas bike which he competed at the Prostar
West and NMRA/Prostar events in the late 90’s. He still uses the
bike today to fit into extra classes. The bike is exactly the same
as it was a dozen years ago, same paint, same motor, virtually
unchanged other than freshened up motors from time to time. To you
guys East of the Mississippi, Aaron is the West’s version of our
Konopacki, Sauer or Baumbach. A force to be reckoned with.
Other Areas of Interest
Residence: La Mirada, CA
Spouse: Tonya
Children: Dakota 16, Gavin 4
Occupation: Diesel Mechanic
Home track: Fontana, CA
Team Name: Bronze Star Racing Group
Crew Members: Bob Pine, Dakota Sun & Glenn Merchant (bike
owner)
Sponsors: Lucas Oil, Shinko Tires, Catalyst Racing Composites
Penske Shocks, Worldwide Bearings
History of racing bikes and classes:
Pro ET- 1986 GSXR 750, Super/Gas- 1986 GSXR 1100, Super Comp- 1987
GSXR 1216cc, Top/Gas- 1994 MCC Chassis/1991 GSXR 1340cc, Funny Bike-
2004 Hardcore Psychols Chassis, 2003 Suzuki Turbo Hyabusa, Most
Recent Prostock Bike- Kosman Gucci Chassis GS Suzuki 1640
Current race bike / class: 2009 Kawasaki ZX-14 Summit Et and NHRA
Division 7
Accomplishments:
Championships: 5 Time NMRA Champion (Super Gas, Super Comp and Top
Gas)
2008 Summit ET Track Champion
2010 Division 7 runner up, lost championship by 1 round, 11 points.
National Event Wins: 2010 Jegs SportsNationals Winner
Special Recognitions: 2010 California State Champion (put on
by NHRA Member tracks), 2009 National Dragster Challenge Champion
and King of the track (ran in 2010 as a make up)
Goals: To get a Prostock ride
Interest outside of racing: Spending time with my family,
dirt bike riding, building my sons first car. Racing RC cars with
both of my boys.
Favorite foods: Thai food and cereal
Favorite movie: The Hangover
What’s your daily driver ? 1994 Chevy Pickup
Do you own a classic car or truck? 1964 Cadillac Coupe
Deville
What was your first motorcycle? 1986 GSXR 750
Hero: My dad
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