Pro Stock Motorcycle Explained

Pro Stock Motorcycle, formerly known as Pro Stock Bike, is a motorcycle drag racing class that is the two-wheeled equivalent of Pro Stock. It has been a feature of NHRA drag racing since the 1980s when it was added to the professional class structure and has since spread around the globe. The first points championship season was the 1987 NHRA season. Frames are purpose-built specifically for drag racing and are not based on their road-going counterparts.

One of the most successful Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers in NHRA history was six-time champion Dave Schultz, who died in 2001. The first female driver in this category is Vicki Farr; the first officially licensed driver is Stephanie Reaves, as well as first to qualify at a NHRA National Event, and the best known female face in this category is Angelle Sampey (Seeling), who set a national record 7.38 second elapsed time in 1996, during her rookie year.

John Myers was one of the most dominant and legendary riders in the sport. He amassed 33 NHRA event wins before his death in 1998.[1]

The category was mostly dominated by Suzuki GS powered machines until the introduction of the Buell and the Harley-Davidson V-Rod. The V-Rod debuted in 2002 and the Buell debuted in 2003.

From 2004 to 2012 the Vance and Hines V-Rod was arguably the most dominant motorcycle in the class. Andrew Hines won three championships and Ed Krawiec won two, utilizing the V-Rod.

Suzuki and Buell team owner George Bryce was an outspoken critic of the V-Rod's set of rules.[2]

In 2013 the NHRA made a rule change to limit the V-Rods.[3]

Most NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle wins

Driver Wins
56
49
46
Dave Schultz45
Matt Smith 39
John Myers 33
Matt Hines 30
21
LE Tonglet 20
Hector Arana Jr 18
Gaige Herrera 17
16
Craig Treble 14
Jerry Savoie 14
Steve Johnson 12
Karen Stoffer 11
Hector Arana Sr 7
Chip Ellis 7
Michael Phillips 7
John Mafaro 6
Shawn Gann 5
John Smith 4
Geno Scali 4
Matt Guidera 4
Chris Rivas 4
Joey Gladstone 3
Angie Smith 3
Ryan Oehler 2
John Hall 2
Jim Bernard 2
Byron Hines 1
Chase Van Sant 1
Jianna Evaristo 1
Peggy Llewellyn 1

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ruiz. Horacio. Remembering John Myers. cycledrag.com. 6 November 2013.
  2. Web site: Jack. Korpela. Bryce Wants a V-Rod. cycledrag.com. 6 November 2013.
  3. Web site: Korpela. Jack. Gatornationals Foreshadows Season of Pairity. cycledrag.com. 6 November 2013.