The wonderful world of motorcycle dragracing has a class for just about any sort of two-wheeled high speed madness you can imagine. Whether you want a chance to finally prove to your buddy that your full dresser is faster than his, or if you really believe that life begins at 180 mph,the CMDRA has a class to fit the bill.If you are a race fan, here's a tip-a pushrod Twin on nitro is every bit as exciting as a pushrod vee eight on nitro. That's right, nitro-drag racer's perfume. We're talking smoke and thunder folks, and the smell-if you grew up around dragracing,admit it-you love that smell. In these days of creeping Political Correctness, motorcycle drag racing is a sport full of real folks having real fun.Large fun.Whether it is a 180+ mph turbocharged, alcohol burning Pro Mod bike or a 14 second Street bike, this sport is about fun. Fine,you say. I'll go to a CMDRA race-but whatinnahell is that thing those guys are pushing up to the water box? Time to pay attention-here are the CMDRA classes.

Top Fuel
Just like the car guys, CMDRA Top Fuel is the playground of the Big Boys. The bikes run on nitromethane (at over $50 a gallon )-an exotic industrial chemical used (among other things) as a base material for certain explosives. Simply put, it is horsepower in a can,and it DEMANDS respect from its users. Under CMDRA rules, a Top Fuel bike must be a pushrod Vee Twin,with the basic design features of a Harley-Davidson.It may have unlimited dis- placement,and may use one or two engines.Carburetors, fuel injection, superchargers-all are fair game.Any transmission may be used.These bikes are long, low and loud. A Top Fuel burnout is a ground-shaking experience, and a good run will be over in 7 seconds and change, with top speeds exceeding 190 mph.Currently, the CMDRA Top Fuel record stands at 7.48 seconds at 193.54 mph (held by Robin Gauthier of Nanaimo, B.C.).

Pro Dragster
The "other" nitro class. Pro Dragster bikes run one Vee Twin engine,with the design features of a Harley.They are limited to 122 cubic inches,carburetors, and a high-gear only transmission.Those limits make the bikes a bit more affordable for the operators, but the slight decrease in horsepower does not mean these folks put on any less of a show-lots of smoke and thunder, and seriously close racing.The current record in Pro Dragster is 8.39 seconds at 168.95 mph (held by George Welch of Edmonton, Alberta).

Pro Modified
This will be the first year that Pro Modified will be run "heads up" (no handicap starts ).Pro Mod is where the seriously fast Japanese bikes run.To "level the playing field", all bikes are limited to a 9 inch wide tire and must weigh 625 pounds. Aside from that, one engine originally intended for a motorcycle, running on gasoline or alcohol,pretty well covers the restrictions. Nitrous, fuel injection, superchargers and turbochargers are all allowed.The turbo bikes in particular are capable of speeds that are just short of incredible.The fastest competitors regularly run in the sevens at over 180 mph. At the Ashcroft CMDRA race last year, one rider ran three passes in a row in excess of 190 mph.

Pro Gas
How serious can you get on gasoline? Very. CMDRA Pro Gas bikes are as competitive as it gets.There is some serious engineering happening here, and some serious speed. The CMDRA rules specify a Vee Twin pushrod motor with the basic features of a Harley,running on gasoline (or, new for '97, on alcohol). After that the sky is the limit. Two engines,carbs, fuel injection,superchargers,turbochargers-you name it.A fair number of bikes are running Nitrous Oxide ("Boost in a Bottle") for a little extra funon the run... The Pro Gas class is the place to be for very trick,very fast Harley-Davidsons. The current Pro Gas record is 8.318 seconds at 159.03 mph (held by Jim Gauthier of Port Moody B.C.).

Modified
This is the only CMDRA class currently limiting the "pedigree" of the powerplant, and requiring full bodywork (or a facsimile of it at least). Modified class bikes run on gasoline, and may run a Harley "XL" (Sportster) engine of 98.5 cubic inches, or an "FX" (Big Twin) of 109.6 cubes.The clutch and transmission must start out as XL or FX items, and the bodywork must resemble a streetbike. A lot of work goes into making these bikes fast and consistent,and anybody used to stock Harley-Davidsons will be stunned by how quick a Modified class bike runs. The current Modified class record is 9.11 seconds at 144.99 mph ( held by Jon Andres of Abbotsford).

Superbike
This is a "bracket" or handicap start class for bikes running the quarter mile in under 10.99 seconds.Most of these bikes are either purpose built racebikes, or heavily modified streetbikes. Many of the ET-class bikes you see at a regular race weekend at NHRA tracks run in Superbike. One engine intended for production motorcycle use is allowed.It can run on gasoline or alcohol,and may use carburetors or fuel injection.The use of nitrous oxide is allowed, as are superchargers and turbochargers. Quite a few Superbikes run the quarter in the 9 second range at around 140 mph. The completition in this class is intense; running on your dial-in ET and cutting a near-perfect reaction time are essential if you want to avoid being put "on the trailer" early.

Street
This is where it all begins. The Street class is open to all street motorcycles running the quarter mile in 11 seconds or slower. It is a "bracket" or handicap start class-each rider tries to run as close to a "dial-in" ET as possible.The rider sets the dial-in before the race; running quicker than your dial-in is called "breaking out" ,and means you lose.Street class bikes are allowed one production motorcycle-based engine.It may run on gasoline or alcohol. Carburetors or fuel injection are allowed, as are nitrous oxide, superchargers and turbochargers. Many Street class bikes are ridden to the races, then home again. No expensive modifications are required to be competitive-Street is truly "run what ya brung".

New Classes for '97
The CMDRA will be running two new classes in 1997.Briefly, they are; Pro Fuel-as for Pro Dragster, but fuel injection is allowed. Pro Stock-A Vee-Twin retaining Harley features class.Limited to 140 cu.in. cabureted, on gasoline.Must have bodywork resembling stock, limited to a 10 inch wide tire, a 70 inch wheelbase, and weigh at least 550 lbs.

New Racer's Shopping List
To race in the Street class, you will need some basic safety equipment, so now is the time to patronize your friendly neighborhood motorcycle shop if you are missing anything... Helmet-Snell 85, 90, or 95 approved, with Snell tag. Boots-Must be leather, and come above the ankle. Gloves-All leather, with full fingers. Jacket-All leather; if running over 120 mph, full suit required (joined at the waist with a zipper if two piece). You should also be sure that your bike is in good shape; that is, both front and back brakes work, throttle "snaps" back, no wobbles and so forth. A copy of the current CMDRA rulebook might also be a good idea. The whole idea behind the CMDRA rules is to make this sport as safe as possible. In a future issue,we'll cover bike tech. in detail. For more information about the CMDRA, give them a call at 604-882-1009, or visit them on the World Wide Web at http://www.cmdra.com.