ATV WARS! Drag racing at its finest

Since its inception in 2013, the ATV Wars race series has become one of the most popular ATV sand drag racing competitions in the country. The event draws some of the fastest racers in the sport to four yearly speed contests at North Carolina’s Lumber River Sand Drags track. The final rivalry of the 2015 season pitted racers and machines from Puerto Rico against sand drag pilots from the USA and Canada in a raceoff on October 29–31, 2015. When the smoke cleared, three new ATV elapsed-time world records emerged, along with the winners of the various class events.

Michigan’s Steph Bennett rocketed to a 3.23-second elapsed-time pass and record at an eye-blurring 101 mph aboard Ohioan Paul Moore’s stroked-and-bored, 990cc, Rotax, twostroke, triple-cylinder, drag-frame quad. “El Nazy,” Team Puerto Rico Victor A. Lopez Bonilla’s turbocharged 735cc Yamaha Raptor, became the fastest Raptor on the planet, clocking a 3.45-second/88-mph run. In the Full Plastic class, Kelvin Cruz’s 521cc, 10-mil Super Cub Banshee claimed a new record of 3.94 seconds, breaking his own previous record of 4.02. Virginia racer Jesse Tomlin took home the $1000 prize money in the Open Bracket competition, racing his two-stroke-powered drag-frame quad against a field of 57 competitors.

ATV Wars’ 2016 races are scheduled as follows: March 31–April 2, June 2–4, August 4–6 and October 26–29 at Lumber River Sand Drags, Maxton, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/atv-wars-sand-drag.

This unique build is sporting a Yamaha YFZ450 engine that has been hopped-up to produce a lot more horsepower. The front hood attached to this ATV would normally be fitted on a Honda TRX450R
This unique build is sporting a Yamaha YFZ450 engine that has been hopped-up to produce a lot more horsepower. The front hood attached to this ATV would normally be fitted on a Honda TRX450R
A lot of custom-built drag-racing ATVs don’t run radiator systems for their engines. Instead, some use a type of coolant gel that allows you to run your engine for a short period of time, race it down the strip and turn it off without hurting the motor.
A lot of custom-built drag-racing ATVs don’t run radiator systems for their engines. Instead, some use a type of coolant gel that allows you to run your engine for a short period of time, race it down the strip and turn it off without hurting the motor.
Depending on what class of machine you choose to run will dictate the style of your ATV. This machine is a minimalist build without suspension, stretched out with a wheelie bar attached. Its sole purpose is to go as fast as possible down the strip.
Depending on what class of machine you choose to run will dictate the style of your ATV. This machine is a minimalist build without suspension, stretched out with a wheelie bar attached. Its sole purpose is to go as fast as possible down the strip.
Many different-style engines are used in the high-speed sport of sand drag racing. This ATV is running a three-cylinder snowmobile engine that utilizes a CVT-style transmission.
Many different-style engines are used in the high-speed sport of sand drag racing. This ATV is running a three-cylinder snowmobile engine that utilizes a CVT-style transmission.
It doesn’t matter if you are a guy or a girl, race a Raptor 250 or this modified Yamaha Banshee—anyone who has what it takes to race can enter the Sand Drags. This young rider looks fiercely intent on winning.
It doesn’t matter if you are a guy or a girl, race a Raptor 250 or this modified Yamaha Banshee—anyone who has what it takes to race can enter the Sand Drags. This young rider looks fiercely intent on winning.
Sand drag racers from all around the States faced off against competitors from Puerto Rico to see who could put down the fastest runs around.
Sand drag racers from all around the States faced off against competitors from Puerto Rico to see who could put down the fastest runs around.
Not all drag-racing ATVs are fully custom builds; however, other machines are made to resemble a quad like Yamaha’s YFZ450, yet have a four-cylinder street bike engine nestled in its frame. Talk about power.
Not all drag-racing ATVs are fully custom builds; however, other machines are made to resemble a quad like Yamaha’s YFZ450, yet have a four-cylinder street bike engine nestled in its frame. Talk about power.
“El Nazy,” the fastest Raptor on record. Owner Victor A. Lopez Bonilla founded the ATV Wars Sand Drag races in 2013. The races attract racers in numerous classes from the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico with fast racing, “bankable” awards and trophies.
“El Nazy,” the fastest Raptor on record. Owner Victor A. Lopez Bonilla founded the ATV Wars Sand Drag races in 2013. The races attract racers in numerous classes from the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico with fast racing, “bankable” awards and trophies.
Steph Bennett’s record-setting run brought special joy to the Paul Moore Racing Team paddock, because Tom Moore, Paul’s dad and race partner (far right), has been battling cancer and made the strenuous trip from Ohio to the North Carolina race with his team, hopeful of seeing their entry set a new record. He wasn’t disappointed!
Steph Bennett’s record-setting run brought special joy to the Paul Moore Racing Team paddock, because Tom Moore, Paul’s dad and race partner (far right), has been battling cancer and made the strenuous trip from Ohio to the North Carolina race with his team, hopeful of seeing their entry set a new record. He wasn’t disappointed!
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

edit