What’s on: ACU Drag Bike Championships

New for 2017 is the addition of a national stage of the ACU Drag Bike Championship. The event’s third round is set to include a variety of machines from ET Bike (entry level), right up to the Super Street Bike which is THE top modern day drag racing class.

This top bracket operates a set of rules which ensures the bikes don’t stray too far from their ‘street’ origin. An extended swingarm, street tyres and relaxed rules on engine combinations – combined with a ban on wheelie bars and slicks – produces some of the closest and most entertaining racing you’ll ever see.

These bikes produce upwards of 700bhp so riders will have you on the edge of your seat as they blast up the track looking for six-second, 200mph form.

Funny Bike is another class worth highlighting with entrants forever pushing for six-second passes. The rules are a little more relaxed, and while they do permit wheelie bars and slicks as well as the use of methanol or nitromethane fuel, the bike must remain recognisable as a production machine to match the manufacturer of the engine. A look around the pit area will reveal a variety of engine set-ups with the favourite being an enormous turbocharger, with the engine powered by a healthy dose of methanol.

Accompanying classes will be: Pro Stock Bike – the manufacturer’s class with emphasis on stock components and a recognisable appearance; Comp Bike; 8.5 & 9.5 bike; and finally Junior Drag Bike for enthusiasts aged between eight and 16.

One thing’s for certain… you’ll be blown away by the engineering on show throughout the pit area, which is open throughout the weekend allowing you a rare chance to get up close and personal with your favourite teams before cheering them on from the stands.