| Author | Message | ||
     Just_ziptab |
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| Fast1075 |
I hadn't even seen a top fuel video since the collapse of the major American motorcycle drag racing organizations. It got on the edge of the tire, shook, and spit him off. Takes an incredible skill set to ride a fuel bike. | ||
| D_adams |
Still came in 2nd after crashing. Just because he caught a ride on the wheelie bars of his competitor doesn't mean anything.... | ||
| Rick_a |
I think most racing organizations require the competitor to be on their machine to count. That's a hell of a save. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
in drag racing, if you cross the yellow/center line you are automatically DQ'd | ||
| Fast1075 |
The four cylinder Top Fueler: 1,000 horsepower, 1,000 pounds, 0-100 in one second. Made famous by the late Elmer Trett (The father of top fuel motorcycling). The only friction driven vehicle that can out accelerate a Top Fuel bike is a Top Fuel Car. The "Puma" engine in it's various derivatives (Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha) are hand cast in a small workshop. The "Types" differ by what cylinder head they run. All have multi stage lock up clutches and most run a 2 speed transmission. On the V-Twin side, you have the "Overkill" engine. Made famous by the now gone Jim "The Judge" McClure. Injected Nitro monster madness. A truly deadly machine. The giant 14" tire requires perfect clutch control. More than one racer's career ended from tire shake causing detached retinas. And contrary to common sense, a little skinny rider is not the best choice. The bikes like some load. Elmer Trett weighted in the 225 pound range. Larry "Spiderman" McBride is a good size guy too. Elmer Trett rode the bike and reworked the cylinder heads. His wife and daughter built the engines and set up the bikes. I can still hear the echoes from "Mountain Magic" echoing from the pines at Gainesville. The blue exhaust and the front tire in the air at the 1,000 foot line on that final pass at sunset. At least it is still alive in Europe. | ||
| Elsinore74 |
Awesome ride, and thanks for the info, Fast1075. Seeing Santa Pod brings back memories of RAF Greenham Common. A group of us signed-out an MWR bus and took in the races one weekend in 1988. Watched from the same side as the camera POV late in the video. |
