Where It All Started: Our time with John and Eli Tomac
In 2007 and 2008, we had the opportunity to work with John and Eli and his national amateur motocross program. He raced three classes, 85 Stock, 85 Mod and Super-Mini.
This was the first time we started using AF/1® on the top-end. The results were amazing. The performance gains and increased engine life were quite an eye opener.
Since then, we have refined this process and developed techniques that have enabled us to take these improvements to an even higher level.
Billy Ross AFT Rookie Year Win
Billy entered the 2022 AFT Super-Twins class after competiting in the 450 singles class in prior years. Most riders struggle making the change, but Billy was more than up for the task, showing an ability to manhandle 350 lbs and 100+ hp on some very challenging tracks.
He was right at home at the Laconia Short Track National. It’s a short, rough and one of the most demanding track on the circuit.
He simply dominated as fast qualifier, won his heat and was never challenged for the win.
Antron Brown's NHRA US Nationals Win
The first time AF/1® technology showed up full time in NHRA Pro-Stock competition was with Antron Brown behind the handlebars (today he runs NHRA Top-Fuel).
He was sponsored by Matco Tools and Mark Peiser was the crew chief. The engine was built by Vance & Hines and that was our starting point.
There was teething problems, but it all came together at the U.S. Nationals at Indy. Antron was fast qualifier and marched through the field to win the the big one.
Flyin' Frankie Stotz's Pro Street Record Bike
Stotz Racing won four AMA/Prostar championships in 10 years. It is a tribute to Kent Stotz, the acknowledged dean of street-tire motorcycle drag racing.
With 463 Horsepower and only 395 lbs, this power to weight ratio was Kent’s biggest advantage to take down the 1360cc machines.
The increased power allowed him to run lower boost pressures, further increasing reliability. This led to his record-setting run of 6.603 @ 207 MPH, a record that still stands today.
Tom Bradford's NHRA Pro-Stock Bike
Tom Bradford became the fourth rider in NHRA Pro Stock history to break the seven-second mark when he rode his Hal’s Speed Shop Buell to a 6.981 second run at 192 mph during the final qualifying round at the 19th FRAM-Autolite Nationals.
This is from an un-funded team from a small Harley shop in Elkhorn, WI. We parked the pick-up among the high-end motor-homes and shared our cheese curds and Pabst beer. They weren’t impressed.
All that changed the next day!
Tom Bradford's NHRA Pro-Stock Bike
The first time AF/1 technology showed up in NHRA Pro-Stock motorcycle competition was in 1998 with Tom Bradford’s 45 degree V-Twin Harley Davidson.
Considered a monster at the time, Tom’s Harley Davidson would struggle to be competitive against the coming in-line fours.
But that didn’t stop him from setting a world record that year at Madison, IL. Putting down a stunning 7.54 run at 172 mph, that record run would stand for the remainder of the 1998 season.
Engineering & Technical Articles
AF/1® was first featured in the February 2002 issue of Machine Design. It was soon followed by feature articles in Product Design & Development and OEM Off-Highway magazines. It didn’t take long before the fast guys found out.
By the time the article was published, in-field testing had been going on for two years with both Indy Car and NHRA drag race teams. It would be the beginning of our deep involvement with Indy Car that continues today.
The 2023 Indianapolis 500 marked the 14th year (in a row) that our technology was in the winners circle. We’re proud of that.
Engine Development: Rutherfordton, NC (828) 705-6013
Service & Repair: Cairo, GA (828) 748-4403
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