Dragster returns, sets world record

Drag bike racing star Wayne Patterson has rocketed back into view as one of the quickest men on two wheels after clocking a potential record breaking time on a bike he describes as the fastest in its category in the world.

After a season away from the sport, Patterson tore up the track in the competition bike section at the Perth Motorplex’s first meeting for the season, completing the ¼ mile (400m) distance in just 8.33sec.

“I opened the throttle and took off and everything just went to plan,” he said.

In just 1.7sec the Bunbury speedster was doing over 120kmh as he screamed up the track.

Despite the success, he was later disqualified from the semi final after red lighting and taking off from the start too soon.

Wayne and son Todd, who does most of the mechanical work on the bike, rebuilt the motorcycle in October, taking it from just a frame to the speed machine it now is in less than two weeks.

“I had just returned from holiday in Bali and dad and I decided to get the bike ready for the new season,” Todd said.

“I basically slept at the workshop and worked from 6am until past midnight.”

The original 2003 Ducati 749 R has a number of impressive additions to its original body and operating system, the biggest being an air pressure operated clutch designed and built by Todd.

“Between the clutch and the rebuilt turbo, which gives us almost 250hp, we are just getting quicker,” Wayne said.

“And, the good thing is it still looks like a bike.”

The Pattersons believe they can now lay claim to having the fastest motorcycle of its type in the world.

They will get their chance to prove that claim when they head back to the Perth Motorplex for the next round of the series on Saturday night.