Top Fuel Motorcycle legend and 19-time champion Larry “Spiderman” McBride is getting accustomed to pulling off dramatic comebacks. The last four Man Cup Top Fuel championships have come down to the final race. It looks like fans could be in for more of the same with another thrilling battle brewing this season.
After the season-opening Man Cup Exoticycle – Roaring Toyz Spring Cup from South Georgia Motorsports Park, April 5-7, the legendary Spiderman finds himself about two rounds down in the points after smoking the tire against Chris Hand in the opening round. It was McBride’s first opening round defeat in more than 15 years.
The bright spot for the 19-time champion came in final qualifying where McBride took the No. 1 position with a 5.83 at 250 mph.
There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and the Cycledrag.com Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming all throughout the season. Stay connected!
Larry McBride accepts his No. 1 qualifier award from Jay Regan along with sponsors Wayne and Donna Pingel.
Ironically the way the ladder shook out, due to the breakage of Nitro Harley racer Don Becker and Norway’s Sverre Dahl, McBride was the only competitor other than his opponent Chris Hand who did not have an opening round bye.
The man who came just four points from dethroning McBride last season, Dave Vantine performed magnificently overcoming a trio of blown engines and running career bests, 5.74 and 254 mph, to win the event and secure the early points lead. Vantine’s weekend got off to such a rough start McBride had to loan his friendly rival a motor to finish the race. Appropriately it was motor No. 102, the racing number of McBride and Vantine’s late mentor Elmer Trett.
McBride now heads back to his Newport News, Va. speed shop, Cycle Specialist where he will prepare for the next race at Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio in July.
For all the continued support McBride thanked his primary sponsors; Trim-Tex Drywall Products, Pingel Enterprise, Drag Specialties-Parts Unlimited, Final Swipe Merchant Services, Web-Cam, APE, Don and Julie Wilson and Kibblewhite Precision Machining.
McBride sent a special thank you and welcome to new sponsors Don and Julie Wilson.
“They are a drag racing family, great friends and it’s great to have them on board,” McBride said.
Larry “Spiderman” McBride and brother Steve under a picturesque Georgia sky.