Bikes

Following on from an off season that saw Ian King and the GPO/Gulf team on tour in India, the first time that the second most populous country in the world had a glimpse of nitro up close, the Easter Thunderball provided an opportunity to test out some new ideas before the European championship season begins in earnest. An early shut-off 6.420/176 looked very promising, given a 4.113/190.43mph at the eighth following on from a lousy 60 foot time that gives scope for an very easy tenth of a second drop in the short times.

Job Heezen has taken over the riding duties of Ton and Vincent Pels’ blown V-Twin after the retirement of Roel Koedam at the end of last season. It didn’t take too long for the new combination to hit the sweet spot, with a 6.510/211.13mph being good enough for second spot in ACU Top Fuel Bike behind King and new PBs for bike and rider in their first outing together.