Following their 11thFIM European Championship win in 2018, the Gulf Oil Drag Racing team embarked on an ambitious update program over the winter. The plan was to investigate the effect on the performance characteristics by reducing weight where possible and test a direct drive (gearbox-less) drivetrain. The extensive program saw…
“Johnny Balls” Hall Racing with White Alligator in Virginia
For the last few years, 2016 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) champ Jerry Savoie has talked about reducing his schedule. The busy alligator farmer is finally going to do it, and 2013 U.S. Nationals winner John “Johnny Balls” Hall will be the first rider to race Savoie’s White Alligator Racing…
Winning Start to 2019 for Vantine Nitrosports
Just like last year, David Vantine and his screaming yellow Vantine Nitrosports bike have started off 2019 undefeated with the Top Fuel win at the Manufacturers Cup Spring Cup at South Georgia Motorsports Park near Valdosta. But the winning weekend started off with a destructive struggle. “We had a hard-to-find…
Gotta Hand it Too ’em: Redneck Express planning 2019
Redneck Express crewman Dick Boxell gives us this behind the scenes look at what Chris and Sharon Hand are up to down Alabama way: A little background, Chris and Sharon have been running Top Fuel motorcycles since 1979 and have remained true to the spirt of the class—all hand built,…
Oehler’s NHRA Rookie Year Coming to Quick, Fast Close
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Motorcycle racer “Flyin’ Ryan” Oehler’s rookie season is quickly coming to a close—in fact, more quickly than ever as Oehler’s EBR made his personal best laps at the most recently completed event in Charlotte. Now with two events left on the calendar, Oehler…
Old Team, New Rider, Same Result for Gulf and Fast Fil
The Gulf Oil Drag Racing Top Fuel Motorcycle team arrived at the final round of the FIM European Drag Racing Championship with a lead in the points from their 100% win rate in the competition to date but still requiring additional points to secure an 11th Championship title and defy…
Oehler’s NHRA Rookie Bid Heating Up for Indy
Heating and cooling manufacturing giant Armstrong Air is stepping up to the sponsorship plate to ensure that National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Motorcycle racer “Flyin’ Ryan” Oehler’s season continues through the Countdown to One—NHRA’s championship playoff. The most solid bet for the NHRA’s Auto Club Road to the…
Father’s Day Bristol Win is Special for Tharpe
When the Winners’ Circle photos were taken, the media interviews complete, the steaks cooked and the beer drank, there was one thing on Tii Tharpe’s mind. “I want that video,” he said to anyone that seemed able to find it. He was talking about video of his interview with NHRA’s…
That Winter VooDoo Down Under
Chris Matheson and his “Nitro Voodoo” Top Fuel Motorcycle dominated the Gulf Western Oil 51st Winternationals with a clean sweep in the Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson Top Bike category at Willowbank Raceway. Matheson officially wrapped up his 5th Top Bike Drag Racing Championship on his first pass on Saturday morning and went on…
NHRA Rookie Flyin’ Ryan Oehler is For Real
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Motorcycle racer “Flyin’ Ryan” Oehler had planned on his home track race being a bit more of a laid-back, social affair than the Jegs Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Joliet, Illinois, turned out to be. But a pre-race thrash, a solid mid-pack qualifying…