PITTSBORO, N.C. (February 15, 2017): The PDRA welcomes back Drag 965 as the title sponsor of Pro Extreme Motorcycle for the fourth consecutive season. The Kuwait drag racing powerhouse that is Drag 965 is a global standard of team unity and motorsports. Sheikh Mohammad al Sabah, head of Drag 965, has done much good for the sport in both Kuwait and the U.S. and continues that effort with the ongoing sponsorship of PDRA’s Pro Extreme Motorcycle category.
Drag 965 Pro Extreme Motorcycle expects to see a few new riders this season, marking a likely resurgence in the class. Last season saw greater parity in competition for the bikes with new and more varied faces taking home the coveted 660 trophies.
Supporting title sponsor Drag 965, Timblin Chassis will present the Low Qualifier Award this season in the form of a $300 Timblin Chassis gift certificate. Owner Walt Timblin has many customers in both the PDRA and the Middle East, which makes his support of Drag 965 PXM a no-brainer. Bill Vose, Dan Wagner, Terri Schweigert, Travis Davis, and, new this year, Paul Gast, all ride Timblin Chassis bikes.
“I like to give back and I like the PDRA,” Timblin told. “It puts [bikes] out there in front of a lot of people. The more people see Timblin bikes race, the more people want our bikes.”
While Timblin Chassis started out over 20 years ago focused on sportsman bikes, Timblin continued to move up through the ranks and now not only crafts chassis, but a full line of components as well. “We do CNC parts for other companies and bikes. I sell wheels and carbon fiber body work, pretty much a full line of anything to build a roller.”
Although many Drag 965 competitors are already on Timblin bikes, Timblin says there are other he thinks may join the ranks this year. “I hope all the guys I build bikes for will come on to the races and make it a big 2017.”
Another class supporter, Grothus Drag Bikes, is offering a unique incentive in 2017. Grothus Drag Bikes will award a $100 gift certificate to all non-qualifiers at every event that is run as an eight bike field.
“We love the PDRA events,” stated Ed Grothus, owner of Grothus Drag Bikes and retired fireman. “It’s very professional, well-run, great venues, very friendly people. The people that aren’t getting the press, that aren’t going to the winner’s circle, that aren’t holding a trophy at the end of the day – I’d like to think that those people deserve a little something. So I decided to offer $100 gift certificate to non-qualifiers in events that don’t have a 16 bike field. It’s our way of giving back to the sport a little bit. We believe in advancing the sport and trying to help it grow. That’s not done just by putting money in the winners and runners up pockets. So this is for those people who may not qualify this year.”
Grothus Drag Bikes focuses largely on providing chassis and chassis components to the sportsman bike market, but also has PXM bikes around the globe. Ed’s son Brunson entered two PDRA events last season, winning both, and may pursue the Drag 965 PXM World Championship this season.
“We not only make, build and sell parts, we race ‘em,” added Grothus. “So we truly understand what makes thing tick and how to make them better.”
The class enjoys further support from the McKinney family-owned D&S Auto Sales & Salvage and motorcycle authority Vance & Hines.
“We are thrilled to have the continued and new PXM support from these great partners,” thanked Will Smith, PDRA Director of Marketing. “They are devoted to this unique aspect of the sport and we’re grateful for their time, investment and commitment. It’s looking like a great year and these bikes will be bringing incredible action to every event. We look forward to seeing our new and returning riders in a few short weeks.”
Drag 965 Pro Extreme Motorcycle offers a distinctive fan experience in the PDRA. Loyal bike enthusiasts prefer their speed on two wheels and Drag 965 PXM action is second to none in that arena. For more information on the PDRA 2017 tour, which begins March 9-11, visit www.pdra660.com.
Photo: Gary Rowe / RaceWorks.com / PDRA660.com
