Jun
We are in our big period of testing the different motorcycle disciplines. So after the flat track and the circuit… Here we are on a 'Standing Start' weekend!
We don't have the usual look...
We don't know much about drag racing...
Our motorbike is not at all (but really not) suitable...
And yet we arrive with our eyes wide open and our smiles as big as we can!
The rules of the standing start
The rules are very simple: get from point A to point B as fast as possible.
The starts are given in pairs, a real duel.
The distance of the race? It depends on the track, this time it's 200m. It's short, it doesn't forgive the error of attention at the start but it allows the nervous bikes but which have less horsepower to stay in the race (while they would have time to be distanced on 400m)
Every second counts, from reaction time to gear change time!
Everything must be optimized and worked on.
A good start, a linear trajectory, maximum acceleration…
In the technique, a 'cell' is installed at the start and one at the finish to calculate the time and speed of passage at the finish. When returning to the start, the race commissioner gives us the details of our times.
This is where it gets interesting, more than a duel, the standing start is also a race against yourself. Each race is the improved version of the previous one.
Better start, stronger acceleration, greater efficiency when changing gears..!
The dragsters
After spending 2 days in this environment I understood that the term 'dragster' encompassed much more than a category. Between the super street twins, the demos, the top fuels... there is something for everyone!
Our day of discovery
We're finally going to see what Gaby has in store!
And to fight with mustachioed badasses who have pumped up their bikes to the max! (aka Mr Poirot!). We are obviously equipped with the smallest cylinder capacity, 250cm3, we don't scare anyone... But as I told you previously, the goal is indeed to surpass ourselves, improve and optimize the machine's responses... And you'll see that we're doing pretty well!
D-1 Pilot Goldy:
First steps on the track, obviously I didn't listen to the briefing about the starting light. I'm going to improvise. Kevin tells me 'when it's green you go' ok.
I find myself directly in a duel with Mr. Poirot. His triumph that has pumped up roars next to me. As for roaring, Gaby is also doing well..!
I concentrate. We both approach the start. Frowning, the first white light comes on, then the second, I put a little gas, ready to jump… Orange light, time is running out! Green light finally! GO GO GO!
Gaby goes for it, she's at the max! I reach the bottom of the gear, I shift into second in a flash, I hear her revving up. The finish line approaches, I shift into third leaning over my handlebars for better aerodynamics! I see Poirot in the distance... Well, this isn't the time I'll give him a beating..! Back at the start, the commissaire gives me my result 95km/h... That wasn't bad!
During the day I will go up to 97km/h (mega record!) and I beat a CB750 (which had a bad carburetor setting, but I won anyway!)
D-2 Pigeon Pilot:
It's even hotter than the day before for this Sunday, the track is smoking and Gaby wants to fight! Pigeon gives us thunderous starts, with completely breathtaking reaction times. Other custom bikes have joined the competitors including a white Harley Davidson prepared by Bastard Choppers, a real bomb that puts everyone in trouble! On the speed Gaby remains true to herself, we will not exceed our record and we do not touch our ultimate goal: 100km/h at 200m… But the sensations are there!
This weekend will have immersed us in the very particular world of standing start racing, with its good atmosphere in the paddocks but the victory on the track!
A real immersive discovery for which we thank Florent from SteelBikeConcept. He is indeed the one who initiated the custom motorcycle rides! He wanted to mix his passion for drag racing and his job as a motorcycle preparer by linking these two worlds that only meet at his place. He took advantage of a round of the French drag racing championship to add a category 'for fun' with the only constraint of racing with a prepared bike! And you can be sure that everyone felt their driver's soul vibrate!
So a big thank you for his investment, his motivation and his determination!
Photo Credit: David Marvier, go see his work!
