Racing log book notes notes notes time of day sunnycloudydark time runelimination launch rpm delay reaction time. A history in this fascinating hardbound coffee table book john stein chronicles the beginning of the sport from the 50s into the 70s bringing to the forefront the pioneers who took drag racing from their birthplace of the streets to the very first drag. Nhra drivers listing the nhra, the largest auto racing organization in the world. While much of the change has involved the machineryand the book discusses it in great detail it is the people that make the sport so fascinating. Mar 24, 2020 the original film of the same title is the basis for the book, but the book also details some of the riders he worked with like mike hailwood, barry sheene, kenny roberts, and steve baker, as well as a look into almost every form of motorcycle sport in road racing, motocross, dirt track, and drag racing. To learn more about the history of the sport, you can purchase johns book motorcycle drag racing. This incredible book is the definitive work on this legendary sport. Unlike cars, motorcycles are inherently awful at slicing through the air, no matter what shape they are.
Drag racing s fast start born on the backroads of america in the postworld war ii years, drag racing s roots were planted on dry lake beds like muroc in californias mojave desert. The history of motorcycle drag racing in america is a fascinating one, and in an effort to. Drag racing is a form of racing that is unique to the united states. The illustrated history by michael scott, barry sheene biography by stuart barker, when you dead, you dead by. Engineering and action fours improve japanese motorcycles. Motorcycle racing, the recreational and competitive use of motorcycles, a sport practiced by both professionals and amateurs on roads, tracks, closed circuits, and natural terrain. A look at some aspects of drag racing a street bike. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. And in the book, more than 500 of them are discussed. This paper log is easily accessible so you can keep track of information before entering the data into an electronic log book. Dec 07, 2011 how to drag race a motorcycle its a breezy, balmy evening at las vegas motor speedways quartermile drag strip, where im on a quest to learn how to drag race with a motorcycle. There is a line in a lovin spoonful song that says, its like trying to tell a stranger about rock n roll. The evolution of drag bikes words tom mccarthy images dave kommel, glen kerr, pete hill a drag bike is a feast for the eyes but an assault on your other senses. There are about as many forms of motorcycle racing as there are of automobile racing.
This type of racing consists of a series of acceleration, or top speed, contests, each between two racers, on a straight, smoothsurfaced course that is onequarter mile long. He and his family began the process of constructing a small but efficient drag strip that was to be used to augment their auto parts business. At 244 pages and nearly 3 pounds, this book is quite large. This is a press release from don emde don emde, a motorcycle hall of fame inductee and former daytona 200 winner, has announced his newlyreleased book. Race officials and the motorcycle manufacturers that sponsored racing teams tried to implement measures to slow down the bikes, but that went nowhere. Brother speed motorcycle club are a one percenter motorcycle club founded in boise, idaho in may of 1969. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Additional rules involving possible disqualification may be imposed at the absolute discretion of the track officials. A retrospective of the golden era into the seventies by gerald foster hardcover from parker house publishing inc. Although a quarter mile 20 feet, 402 m is the best known measure for a drag track, many tracks are eighth mile 201 m tracks, and the premiere classes will run 1,000 foot 304. Because this publication is a coffeetablebook, it is by nature, its a pictorial book. The widowmaker 7 was reportedly certified as the worlds fastest motorcycle by the guinness book of world records in 1973, and along the way potter picked up a trio of ahra records.
The early motorcycle drag racing subculture was a sport ofand foroutsiders. More than the performance of the car, racing is about the performance, preparedness and training of the driver. From howto books to photo books to novels, if you like drag racing, we have your book. Aug 17, 2012 this book tells about motorcycle racing history, todays racing motorcycles, safety gear, various types of racing, and more. Almost 200 rare and stunning photographs from the late 1960s and earlytomid 1970s capture terrifying fires, explosions, and crashes, all byproducts on the quest to go faster. Drag illustrated drag racing news, opinion, interviews. All standard disqualification rulings and guidelines of event operations, as covered in the 2018 nhra rule book, will be utilized while conducting all hrp drag racing events. The american biker book is the most insightful, comprehensive, and thought provoking look at the biker lifestyle ever seen in print.
A history of motorcycle drag racings sanctioning bodies. Nov 16, 2006 a look at some aspects of drag racing a street bike. We are sensitive to the concerns and uncertainty felt by individuals and businesses as our nation combats what we all hope to be a shortterm outbreak. Mar 31, 2018 what a great book for the coffee table motorcycle drag racing history from the beginning 246 pagesand in detail with lots of pics and interviewsi just got off the phone with the author john stein in californiafunny, he just got his 67 honda 305 superhawk running after 30 years and just did 4 miles on itso he is smiling a bitgreat guy with a lot of.
Tremendous vibrations that shake free from the bike and rattle your core. The rise and fall of motordrome racing, by don emde. Ratios are crucial to know and follow in todays competitive drag racing environment. This article is currently being rewritten and will be updated soon. A complete guide to the sport of motorcycle drag racing by mike. In truth its a postwar phenomenon, with roots stretching back to dry lakebed racing in southern california in the 1930s. A history, is a great, indepth few of the history of motorcycling drag racing, touching on almost every genre and decade since the start. By 1958, drag racing had spread across the country. The brother speed racing team focus on both track based motorcycle drag racing, as well as speed records on the salt flats.
With the introduction of chevys ohv v8 in 1955, the brands domination on the drag strip immediately snowballed. Since 1968, drag specialties has been focused on providing quality aftermarket motorcycle accessories and parts for harleydavidson and custom vtwin motorcycles. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most commonly 1. Descended from the middle atlantic motorcycle association founded by joe mcfadden and willie fluegel, the american motorcycle drag racing association was headed by roy strawn who, according to cycle magazine, was the only individual in the country who has shown real organizational ability in the drag racing context. Drag racings grudges, rivalries and bigmoney showdowns. Motorcycle aerodynamics is a misunderstood subject and often comes with many misconceptions.
Popular motorcycle racing books goodreads share book. The complete book of classic chevrolet muscle cars. These log book pages are available to download for use on your pc, or to be. The book indicated that racing by the drag motorcycle is not only very happy but also safe. The principle is the same as the bicycle wheelie, but the throttle and rear brakes are used to control the wheelie while a rider uses body weight and the steering to control the direction the inertia of the spinning front wheel acting as a balance. A handbook of motorcycle drag racing by tom murphy listed under drag racing.
Major genres include motorcycle road racing and offroad racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. The winningest female in drag racing history courtney force this girl can haul ass. A history 1st edition by john stein 2011 hardcover. The beginners guide to drag racing a motorcycle street bike edition. This enormous coffee table book covers the full range of motorcycle drag racing history from the earliest days to the modern era. Quartermile chaos looks at the treacherous side of drag racing s golden age. Relive the glorious first 25 years of chevy drag racing in this comprehensive and nostalgic history. What a great book for the coffee table motorcycle drag racing history from the beginning 246 pagesand in detail with lots of pics and interviewsi just got off the phone with the author john stein in californiafunny, he just got his 67 honda 305 superhawk running after 30 years and just did 4 miles on itso he is smiling a bitgreat guy with a lot of. This scarce publication explores the history of motorbike drag racing. All in all, johns book is a great purchase for anyone who has a motorcycle go fast person in their life. This nearly hourlong dvd, in fact, is a perfect complement to the book. Vintage motorcycles muscle hot rod, muscle cars, rat rods and girls girlsncars motorcycle acceleration events such as drag racing.
The history of motorcycle drag racing is a fascinating one, and in an effort to tell the complete story, neverbeforeseen film was gathered and interviews with 17 of the sports icons including sonny routt, ray price, terry vance, and larry spiderman mcbride were conducted. Safety regulations for nhra classes and brackets april 8, 2015 mike aguilar drag race 101, drag racing, howto and tech tips, nhra 1 a mustang gt. That year harleydavidson released an engine that became one of the most important in the history of the sport. Books about motorcycles, motorcycle travelogues, or anything motorcycle related. Teens would rebuild their cars and soup them up to show off their mechanical skills.
It was lightweight, revved high, and responded like no other engine previously produced. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Not surprisingly then, there was little enthusiasm for it among most drag strip promoters. Drag illustrated is not affiliated with, nor is it bound by any sanctioning body or association. Nostalgic dragbike racing league 467 photos sports. How to drag race a motorcycle its a breezy, balmy evening at las vegas motor speedways quartermile drag strip, where im on a quest to learn how to drag race with a motorcycle.
It marks the quickest motorcycle run on american soil. Dedicated to the super eliminator class in motorcycle drag racing. It grew directly out of illegal match racing on rural roads by highschool students in the postwar 1940searly 1950s. All of us at new england dragway understand the covid19 outbreak is currently disrupting your lives. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. A site dedicated to nostalgia and vintage dragbike friendly events. Tremendous vibrations that shake free from the bike and rattle. While the book explains many of the mechanical aspects of motorcycle drag racing, the people are what make it interesting.
With an emphasis on the history and tales of the legends. In truth its a postwar phenomenon, with roots stretching back to dry lakebed racing in. I was introduced to this book by richard pollock of mule motorcycles, who, after reading it, decided he really needs to build a drag racer and i. The eyepopping, jawdropping and aweinspiring red porsche killer drag racing art bike was created by rotger feldmann, the graphic artist and. Shop with computech racing systems today and grab a paper log book. See more ideas about drag racing, racing and race cars. Looks like twin triumphs one for each brass ball needed to ride it.
Getting back to the past gives me so a hint on where all this exciting and jaw dropping racing started. By the early 1930s, boardtrack motorcycle racing had become a footnote in motorsport history, and van orders career as a photographer was over. A friend of mine said, whenever i pick up this book i cant put it down in less than 30 minutes. Find the best auto racing books at the motor bookstore where we carry books on how to race cars, how to set up your car for racing, the history of racing, driver biographies and the science behind it. The book is beautiful, in large format 10x12, and hardcover. From groundbreaking stories on underground grudge and outlaw racing to indepth interviews with worldrenowned racers and exclusive event coverage, drag illustrated shines the spotlight on the hottest stories in drag racing. From the front cover to the last picture in the book, john steins motorcycle drag racing. If drag racers were secondclass citizens, motorcycle drag racers came in a distant third. Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles usually specially prepared for the purpose compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. Organized motorcycle drag racing began nearly 60 years ago, and an incredible amount has happened since then. Its a great way to keep track of all of your pertinent drag racing information on race day. Dec 10, 2017 thinking of something for that motorcycle speed junkie in your life for christmas. The history of motorcycle drag racing in america is a fascinating one, and in an effort to tell the complete story, neverbeforeseen film was gathered and interviews with 17 of the sports icons, including sonny routt, ray price, terry vance and larry spiderman mcbride were conducted.
Motorcycle racing also called moto racing and motorbike racing is the motorcycle sport of racing motorcycles. Included with the book is a special bonus section how to make your bike fast. Motorcycle drag racing is an american event dating from about 1950. Mcbride managed to ride the bradenton quarter mile in 5. Drag strips could be found in cities and small towns alike, from east coast to west. To those who follow it, the sport makes perfect sense. Nov 12, 20 top fuel ama motorcycle drag bike champion larry spiderman mcbride guinness book of records. Classic german racing motorcycles the complete book of flat track racing. Motorcycle drag racing and covid19 story and photos by tom mccarthy on the 12th of march, in the year 2020, the entire drag racing. Racing motorcycles motorcycle helmets custom motorcycles custom bikes porsche aftermarket motorcycle parts drag bike old bikes motorcycle accessories motorcycles four engines good, two wheels badass.
Brother speed mc motorcycle club one percenter bikers. Veteran drag race author doug boyce tells the tale of the history of match racing through the cars, the drivers, the events, the classes, the rivalries, and everything else that was fun about match racing during the golden era. John steins selfpublished, hardcover book, motorcycle drag racing. With this means of transportation, people can put an. Drag racing a streetbike is dangerous, and this article was intended as a guide only, not as advice that should be followed.
Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and land speed record trials. The american biker book is the most insightful, comprehensive, and thoughtprovoking look at the biker lifestyle ever seen in print. The machine was built by bryon hines, who was just 24 years old at the time, and russ collins first employee. Relive drag racing s dangerous past in this softcover edition of a previous best seller.