LE MANS 2011 – GULF MAKES ITS MARK

LE MANS 2011 – GULF MAKES ITS MARK

GULF BIKE REACHES SWEDISH DRAG FINAL

Visitors to this year’s Le Mans could not but help notice the impressive Gulf presence.

This post weekend Le Mans update takes the form of a “postcard from Le Mans” to illustrate various aspects of just what makes the brand’s involvement at Le Mans so exceptional – apart from the seven cars that lined up on the grid!

Last weekend also saw the third round of the UEM European Top Fuel Drag racing championship at Tierp in Sweden and, once again, Ian King on the Gulf Oil Dragracing Top Fuel Drag bike was at the sharp end of the action.

Qualifying runs established the blue and orange bike – which runs in association with Gulf clothing licensee, Grand Prix Originals - as one of the contenders for overall victory, with the second fastest run. Progression into the elimination rounds was not without incident, however, as Ian had braking difficulties at the end of one of Saturday’s runs and ran on into the gravel trap escape road. This covered both rider and bike, leaving the bike looking very messy and Ian looking like he had just completed a dirt track race…

After a massive effort to get the bike back into shape and clear out all of the gravel, Ian then progressed well through the elimination rounds into a final showdown with number one qualifier, Peter Svensson. The bike, however, developed a tyre problem and a damaged big end bearing meant the team couldn't make the necessary repairs in time to make the final.

Tierp was only the bike’s third race and its performance again improved. Ian King put in a best time for the quarter mile of 6.313 with the best finish line speed being 346.38 kmh (216.48 mph).

The Gulf Dragracing rider has also further increased his lead in the UEM European Championship as the series now moves on to Alastaro, in Finland from 30th June-3rd July.