Video: Utterly nuts off-road V8 drag bikes

03rd May 2022

James King

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something pops up on the internet that makes you re-evaluate your entire life. Today, that thing was possibly the most Australian thing I’ve ever witnessed - in the best possible way. The country that is famous for some of the best V8 racing in the world at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit has decided to see what happens when you pop a V8 into a motorbike. Obviously, you can’t just get a motorbike, put a V8 in and send it down a dirt track… oh wait, you can?

Thankfully, many precautions are taken with safety and… what's that? They’re wearing elbow pads and short-sleeve shirts? My goodness. Well, for our viewing pleasure they’ve also slapped enormous paddle tyres on the back to give them enough grip on the very loose muddy surface to slingshot them down the runway – kicking dirt ten feet into the air as they go. They’re launched fast enough to counteract the inevitable fishtailing that occurs when you’re effectively sat atop a V8 on wheels, so from that point of view this is completely safe…

Please enjoy a few minutes of Australian V8 drag bikes. They’ll be the only thing you think about for the rest of the day.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Sliding a roaring Martyr around Angouleme