The final round of the 2014 ACU Drag Bike Championships took place under very windy conditions, the racers faced a strong headwind on both days. Only three of the ACU classes were competing at the event.
Funnybike.
There was a high attrition rate of breakages during qualifying. Both championship contenders Gary Jones and Dave Peters had mechanical issues with Jones breaking an ignition rotor, which put him out of competition and Peters had clutch problem and only just qualified. Outgoing champion Stuart Crane ran a stunning 7.304 in the dark clicking off at the 1000ft mark. Dave Buttery finally got a combination and ran a jaw dropping 7.338 career personal best with his new bike. Bob Brooks also found some form and ran 7.347 with a top speed of the meet of 182.08mph.
Peters needed to win the event to win the ACU Funnybike Championship and he lost to Brooks in round one of the eliminations. So Gary Jones became the champion. The final saw Crane take the win when Brooks had problems off the start line.
Comp Bike.
This was a tight contest with only 110points between Allan Davies and Phil Crossley coming into the event. Crossley qualified in number one spot 7.663 but at the expense of clutch damaged, which put Crossley out of the show. Davies was number two qualifier 7.722 and beat Tony Clark in round one to become the 2014 ACU Comp Bike Champion. Kevin Osman ran top speed of the meet 189.66mph. Former NAST ET Bracket Champion and NAST Gas Champion Dave Smart moved up from 8.50 bike for this event and is planning on doing ACU Comp Bike next year. Smart had some issues and reached the final. Davies won the final round when Smart pulled a wheelie at the 60ft mark.
Super Street Bike.
The wind dropped when the Super Street Bike came out for their qualifying session and points leader Steve Venables ran 7.198 to top the field. Pete Field beat Graham Balchin for number two spot 7.241 to 7.366. Venables only needed to beat Chris Reed in round one of the eliminations to win his sixth ACU Championship and took the win light 7.264 to 8.030. Venables red lit against Garry Bowe who broke a turbo-charger on that run in the semis. The other side of the ladder saw Field running consist 7.2sec to reach his first ACU final and went on to win his first ACU Super Street Bike event, when Bowe slowed at ¾ track.
Congratulations to the following ACU Champions.
Top Fuel Bike. Steve Woollatt.
Funnybike. Gary Jones.
Pro Stock Bike. Alex Hope.
Comp Bike. Allan Davies.
Super Street Bike. Steve Venables.
Report by Steven Moxley.