ManCup World Finals at SGMP

Motorcycle Drag Racing’s Big Go

Words and photos by Tom McCarthy

Michael Ray on Johnny Vickers "Terminator" P/F bike has been unbeatable.

Motorcycle drag racing’s version of the famous NHRA “Big Go” has emerged from the ashes of the fall of motorcycle drag racing in 2010. Six years of hard work and the evolution of the Manufacturers’ Cup sanction into “ManCup” has yielded what is now a five-day event, the World Finals of motorcycle drag racing. Five full days of drag bikes giving it everything they’ve got including 240+ MPH performances by the Pingel Top Fuel motorcycles.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, members of the ManCup staff arrived at the South Georgia Motorsports Park complex and began laying out the course, the parking and engaging in track surface prep. Their enhanced preparations so early in the week were justified by the 613 motorcycles that entered competition for the race and competed for an actual payout of $67,500 to the entrants, who won their respective classes.

The ManCup Mann Hill Garage World Finals began on Wednesday with an all-day open Test and Tune session. On Thursday, Nov. 10, open testing for teams continued and the DME Racing sponsored $10,000 Pro-Street All Star Shootout began with two rounds of qualifying, followed by the first two rounds of eliminations. After racing was done for the day, DME Racing graciously hosted a BBQ for all who wished to attend and no one walked away hungry.

Included in the program for Friday was the All Star Shootout which they wrapped up before Q-1 of the main ManCup race. Twenty-nine Pro Street bikes entered the competition and when it came down to the final round, Ehren Litton and Rodney Williford matched up for the $10,000 first place prize. In the all Williford Racing stable final, it was Ehren Litton (shown) who prevailed taking “10 large” in cash, home in the process.