Shovelhead's rule! Joe Smith turns the first motorcycle 8-second 1/4 mile.
From the March 19, 1971 issue of "National Dragster"...
Bakersfield, California - The thirteenth running of annual "March Meet" went into drag racing's annals as still another highly-successful event at the famed Famosa Drag Strip. Under the auspices of the Kern County Racing Association, and sanctioned by the NHRA, a capacity crowd witnessed some of the most exciting races in many a day...
...History was also made in the motorcycle world. Joe Smith walked away with the Fuel Bike honors, but not before he became the first man in history to eclipse the heretofore untouchable 8-second barrier. Joe Smith on his King Rat Harley-Davidson shovelhead turns an 8.97 second quarter-mile! It stands as the quickest-ever clocking for a bike, a tremendous accomplishment for the West Covina, California resident. Runner-up to Smith was NHRA National Record holder Boris Murray on his "Double Triumph", who ripped off a 9.02 during eliminations, with top end charges in the 167 mph range!
Fastforward to 2008: Larry "Spiderman" McBride (Poquoson, Virginia) aboard a supercharged Nitro-Suzuki does a 5.746 second quarter-mile at Valdosta, Georgia.
For more info and super-cool pics of Joe Smith's legendary King Rat and King Rat II and other vintage drag bikes go to Grand Daddy Joe Smith's website. Check it out!
