GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Drag racing fans who gravitate toward the Pro Stock Motorcycle pits at this weekend's Gatornationals will most likely be devoting the majority of their attention to the Vance & Hines "Screamin' Eagle" transporter and work area. Why?

To see the two bikes that the entire sport has been keeping their eyes on. The Harley-Davidson V-Rods ridden by G.T. Tonglet and Andrew Hines, younger brother of three-time NHRA champion Matt Hines and son of team owner Byron Hines.

Last year, the V-Rod debuted in Gainesville with Tonglet onboard and failed to qualify. After continued disappointments later in the season, the program pulled back and went to work on modifying the bike to give it the power and setup necessary to crack into a national event field in 2003.

The extra work has paid off. During Gatornationals qualifying, the Harleys have run anywhere from one-tenth to two-tenths of a second quicker than they did last year. And, should Tonglet or Hines make the ladder for Sunday's eliminations, nobody will be happier than Terry Vance, a former drag bike standout who is the partner of the elder Hines.

"I admit, last year I may have been a bit too optimistic," said Vance, a four-time winner of the Gatornationals. "I thought we'd be competitive right from the top but we got a big dose of reality soon enough. This year, when we tested, we ran in the low 7.30's and that's a sign we're ready to begin running with the Suzukis."

It's no secret the Asian bikes have ruled the category since its inception in the 1980s. To many, that dominance has hampered the growth and fan interest in the class, so the possibility of creating both brand rivalry and the emergence of an American motorcycle icon in the class is a big step forward.

"Harley knows that drag racing is a vast new marketplace for them," Vance said. "When they have a bike that can qualify, win rounds and, hopefully, start winning races, they'll invest further in our program.

"As far as the NHRA goes, can you imagine setting aside a 'Harley Corral' at national events for Harley owners to congregate and socialize and the numbers of bikes and fans of bikes that would generate? This is going to be a very big aspect of the entire picture."

Matt Hines has taken the year off as a rider to focus more attention on the Harley project. George Bryce, who up until this year was almost entirely consumed by his Star Racing Suzuki operation, has mentioned the strong possibility that he will also be bringing a Harley into competition before year's end.

Other riders in the class who have in the past entered their own non-factory Harley entries have plans to bring their bikes out again once the technology being developed becomes available. In other words, it wouldn't be that far-fetched to see at least a half-dozen Harleys on an entry list before too long.

"The timing couldn't be better," Vance said. "The people at Harley-Davidson are excited about taking new ground and they have the resources to really capitalize on their Pro Stock Bike program. We've only just begun to tap into the potential that we're capable of."