Drag racer switches motorcycles mid-race

[Jon]

Our best racing GIF yet, by far!


https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...otorcycles.gif

Drag racer Filippos Papafilippou's bike swerved, crossed the line, and Papafilippou was thrown through the air at 170 MPH, and LANDED ON HIS COMPETITOR'S BIKE!



Neither racer was seriously injured, although Papafilippou's foot saw some abrasion from the bike's tire. Maybe this is one of those rare drag racing ties!

This is another good video to watch with the frame-by-frame trick. Pause the video, then tap or hold down the comma or period keys to watch frame-by-frame, starting around 0:08.

Followup interview:

Previously:

Slow motion dragster GIF
Steam locomotive drag racing
NHRA Funny Car engine explosion

[Jon]

Motorcycle sidecar copilots at the Scarborough Gold Cup. Never!

[Frank S]

that rider is really mowing the grass with his helmet and shoulder

[volodar]

What is done for the odd right turn?

[Frank S]

The ballast rider crawls up over the motorcycle and leans out as far as possible

[PJs]

The rider is called a "Monkey" in sidehack racing. I think it's because they have the grip of a monkey to swing back and forth the way they do. Have a bunch of pics of Sidehacks from the Superbike Internationals way back when, at Laguna Seca. Got to meet Gary Nixon (personal hero), Yvon Duhamel and a few others and signed my Bell driver cap in the pits.

What got me was the Monkey bumping along on the burms...with his bum. Definitely went through a set of leathers/race. Balzy Bike racing at its craziest...except for ice racing and the chariot racers!

Thanks for that Jon...brought back some fun memories.

[rossbotics]

I can ride a motorcycle like the side car guy can, I'll make a vid and show you

Doug

[Jon]

[PJs]

"Irresponsible Riding" is politically correct for assclown. Just no accounting for Ethics anymore. Hopefully he was fined big, banned for 2 races...and someone took him out back after.

[Frank S]

If someone reached out and grabbed my clutch or front brake depending on which side he was coming up on me. After the race he and I would have a date behind the wood shed so to speak for a little attitude and ethics adjustment.