King Racing at NitrOlympX

Despite providing support crew and tuning advice during this season to the new owners of the former King Racing Puma the team’s first foray on track as a competitor took place at the world famous NitrOlympX event at Hockenheim, Germany on the ex Brian Johnson / Jimmy Brantley record breaking and renowned Imperial Wizard Puma (whilst the current owner seeks a new buyer – contact ian@kingracing.com for details).

Despite the Imperial Wizard’s proven low six second potential the machine had not turned a wheel in anger for a number of years and was sporting a different and less aggressive state of tune than when in the possession of it’s previous owners.

So it was with great pleasure that the team recorded a fine 6.84 sec pass off the trailer, defying those who thought that almost a year off a race bike, an unfamiliar machine and very `soft’ clutch and fuel settings would conspire to prevent rider Ian King showing anything like competitive potential.
What was more impressive, however, was that a seized oil & fuel pump drive meant that the historic machine was coasting for more than a third of the run. A full pass would have seen a mid six second timing ticket; so much more was to come.

Picture courtesy of Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes

After repairing the damage caused to the engine due to oil starvation after the pump failure the team suffered the misfortune of a random occurrence of a burst blower panel in the burnout for the next run in the night show, and subsequent inclement weather meant that was their final chance to run over the weekend.

Despite the early curtailment of the event the team were pleased with their first time out on track with the bike and in recording the quickest Top Fuel Bike run in competition at the event.

However, the lack of track time at the event meant the team took the decision not to take part in the 1/8th mile sprint event scheduled at Mosten Raceday in Denmark and opted for the Test and Tune day at Santa Pod Raceway, UK on the 4th September.

With fine and sunny weather the team took to the track with some confidence and King chose a check out half pass after some concerns with braking efficiency discovered during the burnout.

Second pass was on the money although an aggressive clutch tune for the track conditions saw King on quite a ride as the tyre spun and slewed sideways at mid track. Despite the wild ride King carded a 6.69 sec @ 214 pass, to record low ET and fastest MPH of all vehicles (Pro Cars and Bikes were attending the test day).

Picture courtesy of Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes

The team look forward to the FIA / UEM European Finals next weekend where the cream of European Dragracing come together to fight it out on track for the last International event of the season.

King Racing is proud to be associated with the best companies in the business:-
MTC Engineering – Supplier of Top Fuel Clutches for the fastest TFB in the world
APE – The world’s most innovative manufacturer of aftermarket parts for dragbikes
Worldwide Bearings – The premier source for high performance ceramic bearings
JE Pistons – The world's premier manufacturer of high performance forged pistons
Kibblewhite Precision Machining, Inc. - the highest quality valve train components on the market.
Image Custom Design – The UK’s leading artists in stunning custom paint and murals
Goedhals – Precision specialist gear cutting and engineering.
Mickey Thompson Tyres – The best drag race tyres in the world bar none.
Goodridge UK – The original and the best in fluid transfer systems.
Gates – The world’s most trusted name in drive belts, hoses and hydraulics.
Vanson Leathers - 30 years producing the best quality track tested motorcycle apparel.
Craft Safety Helmets - produce the ultimate helmets for safety and uniqueness in design
Performance Machine – The leader in after market custom wheels, brakes and components.
Kent Cams - Specialists in motor sport camshaft manufacture, short runs and one -off’s.
Pro Alloy – UK’s leader in fabrication of alloy racing tanks, intercoolers and radiators.
Puma Engineering – Manufacturers of the world’s most powerful motorcycle engines
PsycleWorkz – The UK’s best custom and race fabricators and innovators.
House of Kolor – Manufacturers of the world’s most stunning specialist paints.
Zodiac – Europe’s largest supplier of performance and aftermarket HD parts.
MRE – Leaders in trackside support for drag race components and air shifting systems
Customize – Premier sign makers and vinyl sign and design services
NitroShutter – The combined efforts of ace photojournalists Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes

The King Racing Team plan to compete at the following events in 2010: -
10th – 12th September, Santa Pod, England

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