McBride Sets New Record
By: Jack Korpela

In honor of Top Fuel Motorcycle icon Larry "Spiderman" McBride's 5.799 record-setting pass at the 2008 AMA Dragbike Bikeweek Nationals in Valdosta, Ga, we have searched the Cycledrag.com archives to revisit McBride's last record-setting weekend at the 2006 Lucas Oil Spring Nationals from Virginia Motorsports Park, where The Spiderman recorded an unprecedented 5.809.

Five-time Top Fuel champion Larry McBride lowered the AMA/Prostar elapsed-time record by more than six-hundredths of a second with a blast of 5.80 at the Lucas Oil Spring Nationals at his home track, Virginia Motorsports Park, in Dinwiddie Virginia. The run surpassed McBride’s previous record of 5.86 set in St. Louis of 2004.

      

“Virginia is for lovers,” laughed McBride. “It was an awesome run. I knew it was a good run but I didn’t imagine it was a 5.80. Usually the smoothest runs are the quickest, and man, this one was smooth. It went straight as an arrow and pulled really hard through the lights with all four cylinders lit. I knew it was a five.”

“If it hadn’t shook the tire it would have went in the 70s,” reported brother and crew chief Steve McBride. “It shook a little on every pass, but man that thing was flying.”

“We did have some tire shake but not enough create to a major problem,” McBride said. “I think that could have easily been a 78 or 79. But its question marks like that, which keeps us drag racers going.”

The 5.80 marks the second time this season McBride, who missed most of last year due to health problems, has assaulted the AMA/Prostar record books. In March McBride reset the all-time speed record to 245.36 mph at the season-opening race in Valdosta, GA.

McBride qualified in the No. 1 spot with a lap of 5.81 at 241 mph, followed by teammate Jimmy Brantley, who captured the No. 2 spot with a 6.07 at 225 mph.

Unfortunately for Brantley, in the first session of qualifying the blower belt broke from his motorcycle and violently struck him in the shin about 800 feet down the track. Brantley rolled to a 6.16 and had to be transported to a nearby hospital, where he took over 20 stitches. Despite the injury Brantley was back from the hospital in time to make his next qualifying run.

“He’s a tough guy,” McBride said. “He came back from the hospital and had 15 minutes to get ready for the run. Then he goes out and runs 6.07, amazing.”

McBride defeated Jamie Emery in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday with the record run of 5.80 at 240 mph. Brantley ousted Top Fuel rookie Korry Hogan with a 6.31 at 180 mph to advance to the final. Thus far this season McBride and Brantley have both advanced to every final.
A long rain delay eventually forced the postponement of the event until Friday June 9th in Memphis, TN.

“It’s great to know that we got two motorcycles that are running consistent numbers and getting to the finals,” McBride said. “This is only Jimmy’s second year in Top Fuel and I am truly impressed with his performance. He’s a great individual and a great rider.”

So could we see 5.70s at the next race?

“It’s a possibility,” said McBride, who has been as quick as 5.92 in Memphis. “It’s a great track.”

Related Content
McBride Runs Quickest Ever in Valdosta
McBride 2007 Season Recap


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3/4/2008