Many of us track racing people forget that there is a whole other racing world out there than can also be great fun. Some friends have recently tried out drag racing at Wesbank. Besides having enormous fun they have been welcomed with open arms by the spectators and organizers, who for some reason really love the spectacle of quad racing. Charlie Ward went on Wednesday night and has kindly let us post his comments here.

Folla phoned me up yesterday (05-08-17) and asked me if I would be interested to attend the drag races at Wesbank with him and a few mates.

I was very interested, but had some reservations about how this all will work and furthermore, how this will effect the way you race your quad on a proper drag strip.

I was worried that I will flip the bike and rip the tyres to peaces and make myself a real @ss in front of hundreds of people.

Well, we arrived there and a few quads where already riding around warming up. It's a great place to ride and stacks of people. Night racing under big spotlights, has something special about it. Nice cars, Hot babes, walking around, strutting their stuff, checking the boys and their toys. Looking at them I got the impression that man, I am getting old, and I have to stop staring.

At the end we where about 8 or so quads and the guys that normally ride there was extremely glad we showed up. The people love quads, by the looks of things. Strange, when the rest of the populations seem to have a big problem with quad riders. They had the two beasts there( 1000cc and 750cc), some young guy with a Raptor he claims was modified to do 200Km/h and makes around 80HP. Said the motor was made bigger to be a 700cc, instead of a 660. He went on and on how fast this thing was and some mag even took pictures of him and his Raptor. Apparently he won a few races. Then it was me and Folla with our "stock" raptors, the guy on his nice looking modified 450R and the guy with the new 700R and his Banshee showed up. Later another Banshee joined in.

I never raced the beasts, those things are just in a different league, but in between the cars, smoking tyres and lights, Folla and I decided we will give it a go. One of the guys who rides the beast went thru the whole thing to tell us how to go about getting off the line.

So, we ride up and you have to do a wheel warm up. If the cars can do it, so can the quads...so, front breaks on, rear wheels in the water and let rip. The wheels went spinning no problem, and since it is a cement pad, no damage to the tyres. It is basically pointless to warm quad tyres up, but it just looks cool, when you play with the throttle and the wheels are trying to grip, while you move slowly forward...

Of to the starting line, some dude lines us up and we get the go ahead. I picked 2nd gear and let the clutch slip a bit on pull off. It was a brilliant pull off, very little wheel spin and you are flying...AWSOME FEELING! I think we raced about 400m, not sure, but the quad pulled brilliantly and the finish line was up in no time. Looked back and Folla was a few bikes length behind me. Best feeling I have ever had on the quad!

We finished and worked our way back thru all the cars and waited at the front for another gap.

At this stage the young guy with the "fast" raptor was after my blood, and his friends was encouraging him to drill me real good and show the new guy how things are done. Fine, since I am here, lets see how this fast raptor goes.

Same story as before, line up, wheel spin, and pull off. Again, the pull of was brilliant, the prefect balance between wheel spin and grip on the cement pad. Hooked 3rd, head down, trying to make myself smaller, 4th, even lower, trying to push my head underneath the handle bars, 5th gear.... over the line. That "fast" raptor did not even smell me...left him behind from the word go and beat his quad by about 5 quad lengths at the end.

Got back to the start and the guy claims he got the start all messed up. We wait a while and we are up again, this time he wanted to switch lanes, and we get ready again. I am not sure what happened, either he jumped the start a little or I missed the signal to go, by a split second, and this time the "fast" raptor is in front by about two quad lengths. 3rd gear and we seems to be going the same speed, 4th, and now I am hauling him back in, 5th gear and I haul him in a bit quicker... over the line and I beat him by a nose.

So, I ride back, and the guy with the "fast" raptor packs up never to be seen again.

In the mean time Folla raced the 450R. Start was great and from the word go, the 450R is ahead. It is running 18" tyres, with a well modified motor. In the end, Folla looses to him by a few bike lengths. Little later, I think they went again, same story, but both riders smiling big time. No matter win or loose, it’s great to race here.

Then, the guy with the new 700R moves up, and takes on the 450R. Good take off on both sides, and from the back, it looked like the 700R had a great start and was doing ok against the 450R, but it soon ran out of acceleration and the 450R took the 700R by a few lengths.

After that race, the 700R tried again, but he gets sent back for not wearing gloves. Helmet and gloves is a must, so the owner, packs up and leaves.

In between the drags, the two beasts rip up the track, and even a Banshee tries to take one on. The banshee does not do to badly, but mind you, that he still looses by a hefty distance. The Banshee sounds sweet when he lets rip.

Then my last race, I thought I'll take this quick 450R for a run. He drilled me last weekend at the dirt drags, so I wanted to see how it does on tar. We take off, and the 450R is ahead by about 2 lenghts, then 3 quad lengths, hook 3rd, we are about same speed, 4th, and now the raptor is hauling the 450R in at a nice rate, 5th, and I fly past it...over the line, and I had about 2 or 3 bike lengths on him.

I must admit that the 450R was geared for track, and it did not suit the 1/4 mile strip. I got lucky with my gearing and tyre selection and I go over the line just before I run out of steam in 5th. Folla, finished the run still in 4th gear clocking up 115 on his GPS. We need to sort that out, before next time.

It was a brilliant evening and it put a massive smile on my face.

I am now a full time converted 1/4 mile drag racer. It is an amazing feeling racing like this. Things move in slow motion, and the lights, track and bike ripping up the track is something you have to feel!

Dirt drag racing, as much fun as it is, does not come close. It is missing all the hype, lights and action.

I hope to have some pictures up soon, and please guys, make a point to attend these races.

On Wednesdays it's R20 to park your car inside, and racing is for free. YES, free! Wait your turn and let rip. I believe they also have racing on Friday evenings, with R10 rand to race. The winner of the quads can actually win a R1000 this coming Friday. Nice prize money… can get a set of rear tyres, new sprocket and chain… or some other goodies for your quad.

See you guys there!

aaaah, Mr Freez, glad u went to go see all the hype, awesome feeling huh? 26th is the big day for quads at wesbank, with prize money as u stated, think there's gonna be sum mean mosheens we will see u there

Gregory Allen...
Gonna race your ... that night HE HE HA HA :)

yes, gonna race my banshee that nite, u welcome to bring that.... of urs along....

that nite = tonite = friday nite drags YEEHAA!

You might jus chicken out again!
450, 4 STROKE, PURE POWER, PURE ADRENALIN

oh, i'm def going, got to get sum launch practise for sunday, i need it

As a 100% chauvinist and a part time member of Team Goigen Racing (it's a very long story), I was devastated by Goigen's total lack of a backbone. A prawn showed more courage on the day, Lara, and it sadenned me deeply.

You do know he only cancelled so as not embarass you, right? I'm sure you knew.... oh...sorry...