Drag Illustrated Issue 129, January / February 2018 | Page 32

Dirt
MATT GIANGRANDE
absolute best and most current parts I need for
my engine. PSI Valve Springs, Maxima Racing
Oils, and VP Racing Fuels are all essential parts
of our program. Those companies provide me the
best products to help us compete against the fast-
est naturally-aspirated door cars in the country.”
Giangrande also expressed tremendous
gratitude for partners Total Seal Piston Rings,
Cometic Gaskets, Clevite Bearings and T&D
Rocker Arms. These companies played a key
role in Giangrande’s successful return, and he’s
looking forward to growing his program in the
coming years.
“We’re working on our engine program right
now. Unlike last year where we were just trying
to develop a baseline, this next year we’re trying
to make some more horsepower. Our approach
to the engine will be very different this next year
as we try to close the gap between us and the
frontrunners. Instead of being a big underdog,
maybe we’ll be a bit less of an underdog.”
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SPIDERMAN’S RESURGENCE
A
fter nearly four decades of fear-
less, record-setting motorcycle drag
racing, Larry “Spiderman” McBride put
in the performance of his career, shat-
tering world records with a 5.61-second elapsed
time and 258 mph speed at the ManCup Finals,
Nov. 17-19, from South Georgia Motorsports Park.
“I’m still in shock,” McBride says. “We have
worked so hard for this for so long. We have torn
up so many parts trying to get where we are. It’s
incredibly fulfilling to see the dream come true. I
surround myself with great people that make this
happen. I’m just the one lucky enough to ride it.”
McBride knew he was on the precipice of a
dream weekend when he ran a career-best 5.72
on Friday.
“At first I celebrated it. Then it made me even
more nervous because I knew I had to go out
and repeat it,” he notes. “I had to show it was
not a fluke.”
Determined to future advance, McBride made
certain Saturday was a historic day for the sport.
McBride progressed with an astonishing 5.67
during his first run of the day. It marked the
first time any motorcycle drag racer had dipped
into the 5.60s. It surpassed the world record of
Sweden’s Peter Svensson from 2012. It was a
lifetime achievement for the Spiderman, who has
speculated for more than a decade on whether
or not a run in the 5.6-second zone was possible.
“I knew it was a really quick run. I just didn’t
know it was that quick. I think I was in shock
when I got the news,” McBride says. “Many of
the sportsman racers came down to celebrate.
Dustin Lee, Richard Gadson and Boo Brown and
others were all down there. It feels awesome to
have so much support.”
The day was far from over. McBride’s next run
showcased never-before-seen speed with a rapid
pass of 258 mph.
McBride moved into Sunday eliminations, first
taking advantage of the bye run afforded to him
by his No. 1 qualifying position. He then defeated
Rikard Gustafsson, who helped McBride secure
the season championship one round earlier when
he defeated Sam Wills. In the final round, Mc-
Bride unleashed a nearly unbelievable 5.61, just
a few numbers away from a 5.5-second pass.
McBride continues to build a unique and
astounding racing pedigree few can match. In
1999. he became the first drag bike racer in the
fives. He was also the first in the 5.80s, 5.70s,
and now 5.60s.
McBride capped off his dream weekend by
netting his 18th career championship – a monu-
mental feat considering his uncertain future after
a violent on-track explosion and fire two years
ago. McBride was confined to his home while
recovering from third-degree burns. His beloved
motorcycle of two decades was destroyed and
he was unsure if he’d ever be able to race again.
Through an unrelenting desire to persevere and
a lot of help from supporters, including a primary
sponsorship from Trim-Tex Drywall Products,
McBride returned to the top of the sport with a
comeback for the ages.
“It’s more than I could have ever asked for. I’m
so blessed to still be able to race,” offers McBride,
who turns 60 in January. “How many people get
to keep living their childhood dream at age 60?”
McBride says his key to success is to never stop
listening.
“The relationships I have built throughout the
world have got me here. You have to listen and go
in with blind faith with these people who know
more than you. That’s what we did with Bill Miller
of BME. He wanted to know everything we were
doing,” McBride remembers. “The day you think
you know it all is the day you need to go home.
It’s the same as riding a motorcycle. The day you
think you have it conquered, park it because it
will show you who the boss is.”
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I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
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Issue 129
Larry “Spiderman” McBride shatters world records, wins 18th world championship
By Jack Korpela/CycleDrag.com