Gulf Oil Dragracing Win in Finland
Litlington, Cambridgeshire, UK, 21st July 2013
The Gulf Oil Dragracing – Grand Prix Originals team and proud user of Automan Technologies products made the long trip to the `land of the midnight sun’ knowing that they would be unlikely to build on their historic 5 second performance at the previous event at Tierp in Sweden.
Although the Alastaro event is one of the favourites on their tour, the tricky track traditionally lacks the traction and topography required to run world class times. However, the enthusiastic fans, unique setting and friendly track officials make it an enjoyable experience nonetheless.
And so it proved with many of the top teams unable to conquer the vagaries of the track and the exceptionally warm conditions.
The class was led from the very first qualifier by Ian King setting low ET and high speed of the event with a stout 6.244secs @ 227mph, not far behind their own track record of 6.19 secs set here last year.
However, further attempts to improve in qualifying were hampered by lack of available traction and then a cautionary motor strip down due to concerns about piston ring compression that cost all action on the Saturday.
Entering eliminations with minimal track time, King was fortunate that another loss of traction off the start line wasn’t terminal as Jan Sturla Hegre on his competition debut on the Uggerud Brothers Puma Kawasaki was still struggling to get to grips with his new ride.
In the final, King was due to face Sverre Dahl (who’d earlier dispatched Rikard Gustafsson with a 6.385 to a 6.914), but the Norwegian was unable to make the line after suffering increased crankcase oil pressure that had put oil on the track in his earlier round win.
This gave King a solo, which he clicked off with a 6.360, and a lead in the points as he chases a seventh class championship.
Collecting the trophy was not the end to the action as winning in Finland is somewhat of a `double edged sword’ as the victors are traditionally dumped head first into a cold bucket of water by their ever helpful racing peers…
The team will defend their FIM European Dragracing Championship crown and selected invited events across Europe in 2013:-
FIM European Drag Bike Championship
Round 1 - Tierp Arena (Sweden), 13th-16th June
Round 2 - Alastaro (Finland), 4th-7th July
Round 3 - Hockenheimring (Germany), 9th-11th August
Round 4 - Santa Pod Raceway (UK), 5th-8th September
FIM European Invitational
Santa Pod Raceway (UK), 25th – 27th May
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood (UK) 12th – 14th July
The Gulf Oil – GPO Dragracing team uses and endorses exclusively Gulf Oil greases and lubricants in their history making machine.
The team is extremely proud to be supported by many leaders in their chosen markets in their challenge for the 2013 European Championship:-
APE - The world’s most innovative manufacturer of aftermarket parts for race bikes
ACTION CAMERAS - Europe’s leading source for action sports cameras
COMETIC GASKETS - The Premier Manufacturer of racing gaskets
GATES - The world’s most trusted name in drive belts, hoses and hydraulics
GOODRIDGE - The most innovative and the best in fluid transfer systems
GRAND PRIX ORIGINALS - The brand for drive and lifestyle, past and present
GULF OIL INTERNATIONAL - The world’s most iconic brand in automotive fuels and lubricants
HOTROD HANGAR – Home of the world renowned custom artist Knud Tiroch
HYPERPRO - The leading producer of progressive suspension products for motor bikes
JE PISTONS - The world’s premier manufacturer of high performance forged pistons
KIBBLEWHITE PRECISION MACHINING - The highest quality valve train components available
KING RACING – The most successful Top Fuel Bike team in European Dragracing history
MICKEY THOMPSON - Simply the best drag race tyres in the world
MRE - Leaders in trackside support for drag race components nand air shifting systems
MTC ENGINEERING - Manufacturer of clutches for the fastest motorcycles in the world
NITROSHUTTER - Europe’s leading dragracing photojournalists
NCTENGINEERING - Manufacturer of the world’s leading non-contact motorsport torque sensors
NEXUS UNDERWRITING MANAGEMENT - 1st class support services to underwriting subsidiaries
NGK SPARKPLUGS UK – The world’s number one spark plug manufacturer
PAR WILLEN – Master webmeister and proprietor of HarleyDrags.com
PORTABLE SHADE - The best custom branded collapsible canopies available
PRO ALLOY MOTORSPORT - The UK’s leading fabricator of alloy tanks, intercoolers and radiators
PUMA ENGINEERING - Manufacturer of the world’s most powerful motorcycle engines
RSG CUSTOMIZE - The UK’s most creative website designers and vinyl artists
SUPERTOUGH - Custom cases and covers for the Film, TV, Music and Motorsports Industries
SPIES HECKER - the world’s leading supplier of paint for car, commercial and industrial finishing.
VAN ES MOBILITY – The leading manufacturer of telematic products for management of moving objects
VANSON LEATHERS - The most iconic brand in motorsport leather goods
WEB CAMSHAFTS INC - Simply THE company for Top Fuel Bike camshafts
WORLDWIDE BEARINGS - The world’s leading supplier of ceramic bearings for racing
ZODIAC - Europe’s largest supplier of performance and aftermarket HD parts
Read more about Ian King and the Gulf Oil Dragracing – GPO Team at www.gulfoildragracing.com