Straightliners 2005

Two Cumbrian drag racers took top honours in the final standings of the 2005 Straightliners Series after both competed at the final round of the season at Elvington airfield near York on Sunday 9th October.

Phil Wood from Deeside retained the title of Top Bike class winner, as well as winning the overall title in the Straightliner Series. The Top Bike class is one of 10 in the Series and is considered to be the ultimate in streetbike based drag racing. The event challenges riders to be fastest past the post over a quarter-mile drag strip. Woody encourages more competitors to have a go in 2007 and more spectators to visit and experience the thrill of drag racing.

He says: “All drag racers take their motorsport very seriously, but Straightliners are also one big happy family. The open paddock means we are all approachable and it makes for a very friendly atmosphere.” All Straightliners events are open for ‘run-what-youbrung’ entries on the day.

When asked how he might spend his £1,000 prize money Phil said: “My girlfriend Sarah supports me at all of the events and would tell me to spend it on the bike … I think.”

Other class winners included Rob Wilkinson from Manchester, who recorded a venue best time of 8.43 seconds in the Competition class. Whereas all other classes allow production-based road bikes, this is the only class to allow custom-built drag bikes with slick tyres.

One class winner very nearly didn’t make it on the day. Steve Mattinson – aka Mr Buzz – was overjoyed when his wife gave birth to their second child at 10.05pm on Saturday night, the day before the final Straightliners round. Somehow he managed to be there for this momentous occasion, and then get from his hometown of Silloth in Cumbria to the event at Elvington in Yorkshire just 45 minutes before the Sunday qualifying rounds finished.

Event organiser Trevor Duckworth explains: “Steve was there to see his wife Michelle give birth to Ellis Steven, a healthy baby boy weighing in at 8lb 9oz, then he shot off next morning to qualify in the 10.30 drag racing class. He went on to finish as a losing finalist on the day, but an overall class winner for the 2005 season and I’m sure this is a weekend he will never forget!”

As part of our support for Straightliners, Classic Motorcycle Mechanics are this year presenting a trophy for the best turn out and performance by a pre-1990 bike. Editor Rod will announce the winner at the season’s end dinner scheduled for February 3rd. Results from the whole season, together with a library of images from all classes can be seen on www.straightliners.co.uk .

The Straightliners Series will start again early in March 2007.