FYI WIRZ: Hogan Blisters Record at NHRA Track with 255 Mph Motorcycle Run
Korry Hogan, Top Fuel Motorcycle drag racer, scorched the adequate concrete NHRA track at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Georgia near Valdosta twice this weekend with incredible runs of 255 mph run and 254.62 mph to win the Manufacturers Cup.
Before reviewing Hogan’s fast details a speed comparison made possible by Wiki Answers is prudent.
The average speed of a commercial jet airliner is 500 mph, but that’s high in the air. Passengers don’t feel or really see the speed because of the altitude. The most speed felt by passengers is typically on takeoff and landing. The average takeoff speed is about 160 mph. A Boeing 747 takes off at about 200 mph and the supersonic Concorde lift off speed is about 250 mph.
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Average landing speed of most commercial aircraft is about the same as takeoffs, 150 to 200 mph, maybe a little slower than takeoffs.
Bullet trains are sleek and fast, but they are still attached to the earth with technology.
High-speed rail in Japan, China and Europe on the best track run from about 125 mph to the fastest at 215 mph.
Race cars are noted for their competitive speeds.
The fastest speed for a NASCAR stock car during a sanctioned event was 212.809 mph by Bill Elliott in 1987. NASCAR introduced restrictor plates to limit super speedway speeds for obvious safety reasons.
A light-weight dart-like IndyCar grips the racetrack because of aerodynamics.
In 1996, Paul Tracy recorded a trap speed of 256.948 mph at Michigan International Speedway, the fastest IndyCar speed ever on a racetrack.
Top Fuel dragsters with 8000 horse power are the most common speed kings.
The current speed record (1000 foot line on a NHRA drag strip) held by Tony Schumacher for a Top Fuel Dragster is 325.61 mph.
Schumacher remembers his first run in the powerful car.
“I had driven enough cars that I knew how to stage, Schumacher said. “I knew how to race. I just had to figure that machine out. You’re going to go 100 in under one second whether you like it or not. You’re going to go zero to 100 in .8 seconds. No one is quick enough to give it the gas and get off and not be going 100.”
Troy Coughlin, Team JEGS.com, comment on racing his Pro Mod car that averages about 240 mph.
“When you’re sitting there idling and you floor it, it doesn’t have a whole lot of power until the turbocharger makes a boost because that’s the power of it,” Coughlin said. “It’s about a second to get it there. You gotta be ready. You go up there second guessing, you’re probably going to get in trouble. You’ll get your tail handed to ya.”
NASCAR, NHRA and IndyCar race cars have improved safety technology that stresses cockpit strength, custom seating, neck restraints and spider-like belt protection.
Motorcycle drag racers have no protective cockpit, no contoured seat, neck gear or seat belts. They wear only a helmet, leather suit, protective gloves and footwear.
Before Manufacturers Cup qualifying started Hogan joked, “We’re going to try to rotate the earth eventually out here this weekend.”
The earth didn’t stop rotating, but Hogan may have gone fast enough to get into the next time zone before the sun catches up.
“When you get on one of these that makes 1400, 1500 horsepower it accelerates zero to 200 in three seconds,” Hogan said. “We ran the first 250 mph pass in less than six seconds. Most people can’t really grasp what that really is.”
Top Fuel competitor Larry “Spiderman” McBride couldn’t pull off a win this weekend, but he still has the quickest elapsed time record, a 5.79 ET @ 245.36 mph.
“These things now, we go out and run in the fives like it’s no tomorrow,” McBride said. “It’s incredible. I got an electric bike that runs as fast as my original Top Fuel bike now.”
Hogan’s first run this weekend was 6.04 ET at 255 mph and his second run for the win was a 6.03 at 254.62 mph. In order to set a record run Hogan needed a backup performance within 2.55 mph.
Rule courtesy of NHRA: Certification is based on a required backup run within one percent of the record during the course of the same event.
“We won and backed up the 255.00 mph with a 254.62” said Hogan. “It’s big dollars to go run fuel bikes. It’s a team effort. John and his son do all the work seven days a week and I show up and jump on it and look like a hero. They’ve done all the work. I trust them with my life.”
That’s important for Hogan as his racing speed on that two-wheel monster during the Manufacturers Cup was faster than the takeoff speed of the supersonic Concorde.
Hogan stayed earthbound.
Motorcycle drag racing information:
Manufacturers Cup Race
Murdoch Racing Enterprises (Jay Regan)
Photo credit: Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com
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