NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Magazine Photographer Pics
Michael ONeill Photographer Writer Motorcyclist Adventurer
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NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Magazine Photographer Pics

Welcome to the world of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ Pro Stock Motorcycle class. According to the NHRA web site Pro Stock Motorcycles are defined as follows: "These highly modified vehicles, which can run under 6.8 seconds at more than 195 mph, feature a purpose-built tube chassis and a lightweight, aerodynamically enhanced replica of original bodywork. The class features a wide variety of makes, models, and engines, including V-Twin entries from Harley-Davidson, Victory, EBR, and Buell and inline four-cylinder-equipped Suzuki and Kawasaki models. Engine sizes vary widely, ranging from 92 to 160 cubic inches. Fuel injection is permitted, and spec gasoline is the only fuel allowed". This NHRA class competes at the majority of race weekends during the season. At certain events a second class of motorcycles can be seen racing down the quarter mile. Those are the Nitro Methane burning Top Fuel Harley Davidson bikes that produce up to 1,000 HP! The precision Service Equipment, LLC sponsored Pro Stock Motorcycle pictured here is piloted by Angelle Sampey, a fan favorite, who is just one of the many successful female drag racers that compete in both motorcycle and automobile speed contests. As an avid motorcyclist who has been in the saddle for more than 40 years I always enjoy watching the NHRA motorcycle drag racing. This is a completely different animal than the cars that compete in NHRA events. There are no capsules, no roll cages, no seatbelt/harness systems. The pilots are on the vehicle, not in them. Watching these machines launch from the starting line and then carry the front wheel off the ground in a wheelie for the better part of the quarter mile long speed contest is thrilling to watch. Angelle Sampey, a 42-time NHRA national event winner returned to the Pro Stock Motorcycle class in 2015 following a seven-year hiatus. Earlier in 2016, she rode to her 42nd career victory in the Toyota Summernationals at the legendary Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ.  In a post on her Facebook page Angelle describes what it is like being on the starting line seconds before the green light comes on: "It's amazing how calm I feel at this very moment. I've said this before but in case you missed it... the starting line is an incredible place for me.. it is where I am at peace and at war at exactly the same time!" Pro Stock Motorcycle is one of my favorite NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series classes to photograph. My first two trips to NHRA national events as a credentialed photographer were on assignments from two of the most prestigious motorcycle magazines in the world.