by David Mackie
MOTORBIKES riders vying for the Wheelie World Record gathered at Elvington Airfield, to test their bikes in preparation for next month’s World Championships.
Riders came from around the country, with several from the York area including Dave ‘Dodge’ Rogers, Tom Swales and Andy Bell.
To achieve a successful wheelie, the competitor must ride as fast as possible on the back wheel of their motorbike for a whole kilometre. The wheelie world record holder is Egbert Van Popta, who reached 199 mph.
Also out on the tarmac on Tuesday were riders going for more conventional two-wheel rides. Top speeds for these riders were over 240 mph.
Peter Kay, Tim Mann and Kevin Scott of the UK Monowheel Team and their Warhorse machine
Mr Bell, 41, from Haxby, was doing wheelies on his Suzuki. He said: “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. This is what I do!”
The World Wheelie Championship is organised by Straightliners. Rider participation, including record ratification and timing, is administered by the UK Timing Association (UKTA). Both Straightliners and UKTA were set up by renowned motorcycle racer Trevor Duckworth.
On the dangers of the sport, Mr Duckworth said: “It’s wide open, the runway. There’s nothing to hit. It’s two miles long, the longest available in the country, and we’re blessed to have it in Yorkshire.”
The World Wheelie Championship is the brainchild of Dave ‘Dodge’ Rogers, previous world champion, who will be representing Britain in next month’s competition. He said: “In the early days of wheelie world records it was dominated by an elite few with high powered turbo bikes.
“Working with Straightliners we wanted to also involve the average guy on his sports bike. The rules for the World Wheelie Championship has achieved this by attracting serious motorcycle riders from all walks of life.”
The 10th World Wheelie Championship will take place at Elvington Airfield on August 15-16. Up to 30 competitors from as far afield as the United States and Sweden will take part.
It will also feature a range of quirkier record attempts, including World’s Fastest Shopping Trolley and World’s Fastest Toilet.
For more information and tickets go to http://www.straightliners-events.co.uk/event/
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