Have you ever had the chance to perform a quarter mile drag race? If so you’ll know how addictive it can be. One run after another will consume your mind as you desperately try to shave off fractions of a second and gain a few kilometres an hour while flying through the terminal speed trap. It’s a terribly addictive pastime and, in some cases, horrendously expensive. I should know because while smugly winning many UK drag race titles I also went through disastrous arguments about ‘a box of turbo pistons is more important than the new kitchen I promised five years ago’, if you know what I mean?
But, domestic differences aside, can you imagine if you were allowed to keep accelerating past the quarter mile for another 600 metres in the quest to achieve the highest possible speed over a kilometre? Well that is exactly what I’ve just done and it was such a fantastic experience that I can’t wait to get back there and do it again, and again, and again. I think I’ve just wet myself thinking about it.
The venue I’m talking about is a facility called ODI, which is situated just north of Brits which is a bit difficult to find but once you’re there you’re in top speed Nirvana. ODI has a proper drag strip that carries on to a full timed kilometre and is well maintained and clean. The best thing of all is that you don’t have to worry about some twat pulling out on you and sending you to an early bath with the baby Jesus.
I decided to take something different to ride than the usual Jap stuff so Cayenne gave me their top of the range MV Agusta F4RR, which made 164hp on Noddy’s dyno and is renowned for its slippery aerodynamic abilities, perfect for the day. Unfortunately, and because of many previous test rides, the clutch was far from perfect and grabbed viciously when launched hard, so I knew I was going to have to be ‘gentle’ off the line losing valuable top end speed. But we’re allowed no excuses so I had to get on with the job at hand.
It was also as hot as hell on the day with 30 degree plus temperatures and a track temperature hot enough to fry an egg. This will sap horsepower for sure and the high altitude wasn’t ideal either but the results were highly commendable to say the least. The first run was to acquaint myself with the track and I came away with 264km/h. The second run was much better and with a soft launch and no clutch problems, before I fed the power in, I managed an impressive 278.6km/h. Cool man! On the day the MV was faster than a BMW S 1000 RR and a new ZX-10, who were around the 275km/h mark. When I spoke to the guys they said they had lost around 10km/h from previous visits when it was much cooler and therefore there was more oxygen for the engine. So, with a new clutch, colder conditions and less of a hangover, I’m sure 285-290km/h is well on the cards. Not bad for a standing start kilometre, eh?
To add spice to the day Clinty from SuperBike had arranged a race between myself and a Nissan GTR that had intake and exhaust modifications, so I presume it makes well over 500hp. A very friendly fellow with the very common name of John Young drove it, perhaps common because he’s avoiding someone (I’ll probably never know) but thanks for turning up. This very fast car had just recorded 249km/h, so I knew I could have him and all his fancy Japanese iPod engineering.
We left the line at the same time because the GTR is one hard launching ‘mother’, but then the MV cleared it’s throat, as did I, and the F4 tore away with a 276km/h run, followed by the GTR at again around the 250 mark. So that was that, goodnight and thanks for the memories. Interestingly, Gareth from SuperBike had brought along his Kawasaki ZX-6 race bike with shorter racetrack gearing which he also raced against the GTR and beat, recording the same 250km/h top speed, but he had a better launch because the launch mode in the Nissan didn’t work correctly, blah, blah, blah…
Now this brings me to an interesting concept for both bikers reading this and any super rich (I’m jealous can you tell?), supercar owner. We’re thinking of running a day in July, with nice cool air, to take on any supercar against a ‘mere’ motorbike. Sounds fabulous fun or what? It’ll only costs R250 for as many runs as you can fit in and breathing in hyper expensive clutch odour from the cars is for free.
So come on you car drivers, bring out your house priced tin box and take on the bikes. If we’re too fast we might give you a handicap, like ‘dead-legging’ the bike rider before he/she sets off. Keep your eye out in SuperBike and on www.billysbikes.co.za for more information as we get it. One thing for sure is that you’ll have a blast and the other thing that is certainly for sure is that I’ll be there with a new clutch in the MV F4RR and less of a hangover. Then again we are in South Africa so maybe not!
For more information and forthcoming events at ODI call the friendly owner Ivan on 079 603 2946, or email
