Posted on May 13, 2025 July 4, 2025

Back on the Road: Assistive Tech Integration on a 2024 Harley Road King

Assistive Motorcycle lh Conversion harley-davidson road glide

At Elliott Motorcycles, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the open road—regardless of physical limitations. When we were approached by a rider in New Zealand who had sustained a disability in an accident, our task was clear: modify a brand-new Harley-Davidson Road King to enable left-hand-only operation without compromising ride quality, aesthetics, or factory reliability.

Our customer was eager to get back in the saddle after his accident, but his physical limitations required that all primary controls be relocated to the left-hand side of the motorcycle. The biggest priorities included:

Left-hand-only control of both clutch and front brake
Retention of OEM components wherever possible to preserve warranty coverage and part compatibility
Throttle re-engineering to allow the throttle to give the same feel and progression with a LH action.

The Harley-Davidson Road King is equipped with an electronic throttle (ride-by-wire), adding further complexity to a full left-side conversion.

Throttle System Redesign

The most technically complex aspect was the throttle system. Because the 2024 Road King uses a ride-by wire system, we had to design and manufacture a custom housing that allowed the throttle position sensor to function in the opposite rotational direction, while still maintaining a smooth progressive throttle response.

During the prototyping phase, we used in-house additive manufacturing to quickly test fitments and functional concepts. Once the design was finalised, we CNC-machined the throttle housing from nylon. Nylon was specifically chosen for its low friction, high wear resistance, and ability to maintain tight tolerances—critical for the smooth and precise operation of throttle ramps in a safety-critical application.

This allowed us to reverse the throttle direction while maintaining the responsive, linear feel Harley-Davidsons are known for. Finally, and ultra slim lightweight casing wash machined on the lathe to house the throttle position sensor in its new location.

The Outcome

The final result was a bespoke, road-safe Harley-Davidson Road King that looks stock at first glance but features completely re-engineered control ergonomics tailored to the rider’s specific needs.

The motorcycle was inspected and approved by the New Zealand road authority, ensuring full compliance with local safety standards. Thanks to these modifications, our client has been able to return to many happy hours on the road, enjoying the freedom of motorcycling once again.

Importantly, the cost of the assistive technology conversion was covered by New Zealand Disability Services, making the process not only technically successful but also financially accessible for the rider.

Thanks to our engineering experience, adaptive design capability, and commitment to rider independence, our client can once again enjoy the open road on his brand new motorcycle.

Posted on April 30, 2025 May 13, 2025

Specialist Tooling for Engine Builders Using Markforged Onyx

Specialist precision Tooling for Engine Builders Using Markforged's Onyx

Engine builders require a lot of expensive specialist tooling. These are often used for one process on one series of engine and are not only expensive but sometimes simply not available to the public. We initialy started design of our line of engine building tools to use in our workshop however their great success has prompted us to start our line of engine building specialist tools.

These needed to be:

Lightweight and easy to handle
Simple and accurate to limit user error
Durable enough for years of workshop use
Cost-effective and rapidly produced

Of course they also had to look great and be a pleasure to use!

We saw a perfect opportunity to apply our years of engine building experience, our CAD abilities and our 3D printing capabilities.

We designed and produced a range of custom tools including:

Piston ring compressors, sized to fit a variety of piston diameters, simplifying the installation of pistons into bores while ensuring no damage to the rings
Crankshaft run-out gauges with stable bases and integral alignment features
Piston ring depth tools set piston rings in the specific location of the bore to accurately check ring end gap.
Deck height/TDC measuring tools used to measure the height of the piston relevant to the gasket service of the cylinder and can also be used to find true TDC when measuring cam timing.
Custom alignment and holding jigs, tailored to the specific geometry of individual engine blocks and components

Each tool was printed on our Markforged industrial printers, delivering high dimensional accuracy, excellent surface finish, and professional durability. The tools themselves are printed in Onyx, a trademark material of Markforged. Onyx is a micro carbon fiber filled nylon that yields accurate parts with near flawless surface finish. Few materials have the versatility of Onyx; it offers high strength, toughness, and chemical resistance when printed alone, and can be reinforced with Continuous Fibers to yield aluminum-strength parts ensuring no flex or movement when measuring critical tolerances. Onyx is flame-retardant, dimensionally stable, and resistant to oils and workshop chemicals—making it ideal for repeated workshop use.

To complement the tools, we also designed and printed in lightweight PLA perfect-fit tool trays for each item. These trays provide safe, space-efficient storage in workshop toolboxes and make it easy for technicians to identify misplaced tools at a glance, improving both organisation and accountability in high-pressure environments. The trays are able to lock into a grid plate that is installed into toolbox drawers to ensure everything remains neat and secure. Tool trays are all laser etched with relevant specifications and Elliott Motorcycles logo.

Our tools offer all the benefits of the OEM tools and even fill the gaps where tooling is unavailable. They have already performed flawlessly across multiple engine inspections and rebuilds, holding up to workshop demands while making handling easier and more efficient.

More importantly, our ability to 3D print new tooling within days meant we have been able to create custom-fit tools for customers with unique requirements without delay—cutting downtime and increasing productivity.

These examples illustrate how Elliott Motorcycles bring advanced engineering materials and on-demand digital fabrication together to support professionals in all sectors of engineering.

From specialty engine jigs to precision-fit trays and measuring tools, we’re delivering smart, scalable workshop solutions built for the real world—without compromise on quality or strength.

Posted on April 29, 2025 May 13, 2025

Custom Lightweight Racing Wiring Harness for a Ducati V4 Superbike

Elliott Motorcycles custom designed and manufactured ultra-lightweight component for Ducati Superstock race bike wiring harness and battery

Custom Lightweight Racing Wiring Harness for a Ducati V4 Superbike

The Challenge

A leading Australian Superbike team approached us to create a custom wiring harness for a competition Ducati V4 superbike, aiming to integrate a new high-performance ECU while also:

Both minimising and centralising weight
Optimising harness routing for rapid replacement of components.
Increasing durability and reliability.
Retaining all OEM functionality.

Our Approach

We designed a bespoke harness using military-spec (Mil-Spec) wiring, concentrically twisted for maximum strength, flexibility, and minimal bulk—techniques drawn from motorsport and aerospace engineering.
Each wire was individually labelled, and we provided full schematics and pinout charts, ensuring easy installation, troubleshooting, and future servicing.
High-reliability autosport connectors were fully booted for environmental protection, and custom 3D-printed harness caddies allowed for precise loom routing and faster maintenance for time critical operations on race weekends.

The Outcome

The final product was a lightweight, highly durable, and easily serviceable wiring harness that integrated seamlessly with the Ducati V4’s new ECU and chassis. The superbike’s electrical system is now race-ready, offering both performance and practicality without compromise.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce7GbBYhm3_/

This project demonstrates how Elliott Motorcycles applies advanced engineering practices—such as concentric twisting, mil-spec wiring/standards and connectors along with custom additive manufacturing—to meet the stringent demands of modern motorsport.

By providing full harness documentation and comprehensive labelling, we not only delivered a race-ready electrical system but also ensured the customer could easily service, troubleshoot, and maintain their bike with confidence. Furthermore, our documentation allowed for the rapid and precise reproduction of an identical harness for the customer’s second Ducati V4 superbike, reinforcing reliability and consistency across their team bikes.

Need a motorsport-grade wiring solution for your bike?
Contact Elliott Motorcycles for custom electrical systems engineered to win.

Posted on April 29, 2025 April 30, 2025

Prototype Race Bagger Build 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

Prototype Race Bagger Build
2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

The Challenge

When we were approached to design and build a prototype race bagger based on a 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, we jumped at the opportunity to showcase our ability to engineer, fabricate, and deliver custom race-ready motorcycles for any discipline of motorsport.

A customer engaged us to develop a prototype race bagger built to promote the fast-growing and fiercely competitive US race series King Of The Baggers in Australia. With the aim to have the first demonstration rounds of a race series in Australia coming in 2026, we got stuck straight into tackling the essentials within the guidelines provided by the ruleset.

The project demanded a ground-up rethink of much of the bike whilst critically preserving the visual DNA of the Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

The areas with the most value available were:

Weight reduction
• Improved handling
• Optimised aerodynamics

Our Approach

We began with a full teardown of the 2024 Road Glide chassis, allowing precise digital modelling and CAD development of custom components. Every part was designed cohesively, with serviceability and adjustability being key for a motorcycle built for competition.

Key engineering efforts included:

Custom billet triple clamps, CNC-machined for increased front-end rigidity and precise steering feel and agility.

Bespoke adjustable rear sets, CNC-machined from billet aluminium, allowing a much more aggressive riding position that can be adjusted on the go to specific rider demands.

Custom swingarm modification to allow a steeper swingarm angle for longer shock heights and better anti-squat properties.

Fully reworked suspension geometry to enhance corner handling, ground clearance, and stability.

17” rims and chain drive to reduce rotating mass and allow a wide choice of racing-specific tyres and sprockets.

Custom 3D-printed mounts, caddies, and brackets designed to optimise centre of gravity and aerodynamic efficiency. Adjustments included raising the saddlebag heights, lowering the entire front fairing and fitting the forged carbon front guard.

Custom CNC-Machined Triple Clamps

The Harley-Davidson Road Glide OEM triple clamps have the forks positioned behind the steering neck, opposite to conventional sportbike triple clamps. To reduce the OEM trail (intended for highway cruising), the rake was actually increased. The clamps also raise the front end by nearly 2 inches, which, when combined with the longer rear shocks, gives the Road Glide far greater agility. The triple clamps were designed to accommodate upgraded upside-down forks and 17-inch forged wheels — a massive upgrade for circuit racing compared to the conventional forks and 19-inch rims designed for cruising.

Finally, our new design was precision CNC-machined from 6066 billet aluminium, hard anodised, and laser etched with the Australian Bagger Racing Series logo in-house.

Custom CNC-Machined Rear Sets

Without correct rider positioning, all other modifications are not going to be of much use. The OEM positioning is set for rider comfort over extended periods of time on the road; our goal is for maximum rider control through efficiency of movement and weight positioning, along with being able to adjust positioning for specific riders on the go.

All parts were CNC-machined from 6066 billet aluminium, hard anodised, and then laser etched in-house.

The Outcome

The completed prototype race bagger is a radical evolution of the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, offering dramatically improved performance across the board.

By integrating lightweight materials, precision engineering, and service-oriented design, we created a purpose-built race bagger that not only looks stunning but delivers serious on-track performance.

From initial concept to completed prototype, this Bagger proves that race bikes aren’t limited by tradition — they’re defined by innovation.

Posted on June 15, 2021 August 14, 2021

Blind Speed Track Day 2021

Elliott Andrews and a Harley-Davidson Livewire at the Blind Speed Track Day at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, Australia, May 2021.

Blind Speed Track Day - May 2021

In Sight of Dreams in partnership with Blind Speed organised a track day for people with blindness and low vision at Wakefield Park Raceway on Tuesday 4 May 2021. Elliott Motorcycles is proud to have supported Ben Felten and the team behind this awesome event.

Participants would have an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a car, experience a hot lap as a race car passenger and/or a motorcycle pillion. Blind Sports NSW promoted the track day and received a large amount of interest. As a result, approximately 55 people over 16 years of age with blindness or low vision registered.

Dual control cars in the morning

In the morning participants were offered the opportunity to learn how to drive in dual controlled cars. Then in the afternoon they would have the opportunity to experience a hot lap on the Wakefield Park Raceway circuit.

Ben Felten explained before the event that for some people, this event may be the only time they get the chance to drive a vehicle or pillion on a motorcycle within their lifetime. He also let us know that it would be a highlight of the year for many members of the blind and vision impaired community. So it would create lasting memories which would be sure to leave people with big smiles. Needless to say, it was a honour to be part of something so great!

We brought our LSR1 MKII land speed race bike and Harley-Davidson Australia brought a Harley-Davidson® Livewire® for track demonstrations. Also, James organised for Bondi Films to be there capturing the event for a short video. The video will be used to promote community awareness as well as further support, sponsorship and participation. Ideally, helping enable more of these kinds of events to occur across Australia.

Ben Felten of Blind Speed is a keen advocate for electric and autonomous vehicles. So on the day Ben spoke about how technological advancement is important to enable greater inclusion. Advancements in electric and autonomous vehicles will enable greater mobility and independence for people with blindness or low vision. It was great to be able to showcase the H-D® Livewire® to support Ben’s message alongside Western Sydney University’s solar car.

Hot laps in the afternoon

Unfortunately, it was a cold, windy and rainy day in the Goulburn area. So the motorcycle pillion rides and some of the motorcycle demonstrations had to be scratched from the event schedule. But the wind and rain didn’t dampen spirits and didn’t stop participants from making the most of it. Everyone was enjoying the day and the Wakefield Park Raceway team were on point making sure everyone was looked after.

Elliott Motorcycles supported the event along with Vision Australia, Caring Approach, Motorcycling NSW, Australian Auto-Sport Alliance, Harley-Davidson Australia, Kawasaki Australia, Dunlop Australia and Wakefield Park Raceway.

Photographs by Lisa Musico.

Posted on May 9, 2021 July 5, 2021

Speed Week 2021

DLRA Speed Week 2021

On the 16th March our race team landed back in Sydney after traveling to Lake Gairdner for DLRA Speed Week 2021. It was a challenging journey this year with more aspects to coordinate, the uncertainty of travel and of course COVID-19. Then to whack a cherry on top there’s always the weather, which only just passed the bar needed for racing on the lake.

Event organisers were monitoring the lake conditions closely as DLRA Speed Week 2021 drew near. The La Niña this summer meant the lake surface was saturated from high rainfall. Days before we were due to race water was still sitting on the surface of the lake. The racetrack in the middle of the lake was dry. However, we wouldn’t be able to access the lake if the water by the shore didn’t drain or evaporate quickly. In which case, Speed Week would be cancelled again.

Fortunately, as the event approached wind gusts picked up. This helped dry out the lake just enough to allow access. Having missed out on racing in 2019 and 2020, we were very keen to make the journey if there was even half a chance of running. So, we loaded up and set off to the Lake.

Getting Set for DLRA Speed Week 2021

We arrived at Lake Gairdner on Saturday 6th March. This gave us plenty of time to prep for racing on the Monday. We setup camp and the boys cooked up a great meal which was followed by a few beers. Early the next morning, we setup our pits, got the bike scrutineered and prepared for racing. We checked over the bike and made sure it was running perfectly. I was really happy with how everyone was working as a team and felt quietly confident. However, it was clear from the moment we touched the lake surface that the salt was saturated. So I knew the track would be very different to what I had experienced in previous years.

Day 1

All of the teams were eager to race, so there was a solid queue of people accessing the lake that morning. We arrived at our pit bay and immediately went to work getting the bike ready.

It wasn’t long before we saw the first bike on track and it was Magoo riding Ben Felten’s Kawasaki ZX10RR. He dropped by after his pass and gave us an early heads up about the track conditions. The high moisture content in the salt meant that the track surface was pretty slippery, and the gusty conditions had also stuck around meaning there was a strong side wind as you reached the timed section of the racetrack.

Wind gusts kept up as the morning went on so we watched and waited to see if the conditions would improve.

I was weary that while the large fairing on my bike was designed to make my bike faster, it could also act as sail with a side wind.

Some riders were getting some decent passes in. If you were lucky, you could be at the start line when the wind gusts dropped temporarily. Others had to abort their runs early as the wind blew them sideways. So I decided to get a shakedown pass in and chance my luck regardless of the conditions.

I had missed the adrenalin you get as you reach the start line at Speed Week. Finally, I would get to ride the bike I have spent years working on. The marshal gave me the signal to go, I started the bike and took off.

The bike felt good as I accelerated through the gears. Then all of a sudden, I started getting pushed to the left. I did what I could to counteract the wind, but it was too strong. Before I knew it a gust had blown me over 20 metres sideways. I was off the graded portion of the track and in the rough natural lake surface. I rolled off the throttle and got control of the bike. Then I signalled to the medics that I was ok.

Day 2

The next day we repeated our preparations and kept a close eye on conditions. After my first pass I got thinking. Do I chance it and risk damaging the bike in the gusty conditions? Or, do I sit and wait it out? The forecast was meant to improve later in the week. But I was itching to race. So I decided to take the risk and lined up, hoping the conditions would improve. Unfortunately, I ended up getting pushed off the track once again. This time I nearly hit a mile marker on the edge of the track as the wind took me.

Day 3

It was frustrating having to abort my first two passes at DLRA Speed Week 2021. So I was determined to try and get two passes in on the Wednesday. We got up early and headed for the lake. However, as the sun rose, we could tell the weather wasn’t looking good. It was a bit black over Bills Mothers. Still, the team prepped the bike and we headed to the start line as fast as we could to try and miss what was coming for us.

I took off from the start line and this time I could straight away feel that I was getting buffeted by a cross wind. But I managed to stay on track and build speed until the 2^nd mile marker. Then bam! The cross wind got stronger and took me of the track again. I was just a passenger.

The thunderstorm

The wind was building, and the sky was filling up with dark clouds. Shortly after returning to the pits it started to rain. We found ourselves in the middle of the lake in the middle of a storm. The rain was so heavy that within an hour the entire lake had filled up with 2 inches of water. There was nothing we could do and nowhere to go so we just had to sit it out.

The storm had passed, the sun had come out and the wind had dropped to nothing by mid-afternoon. The water on the lake looked like glass, creating perfect reflections of the sky. It was a surreal place to find yourself and my team made the most of the conditions and downtime by posing and capturing some awesome pictures. There was no way that the lake could possibly dry out that day. It was anyone’s guess how long it would take.

Day 4 & 5

The lake was closed on Thursday with plenty of water still covering large portions of the track and pit area. We watched and waited once again as the sun gradually dried everything out. The race officials still held hope that it might be possible to get DLRA Speed Week 2021 back underway. So, we hung in there overnight. The sunsets and sunrises following the storm were particularly beautiful.

The standing water had drained away from the race track and pit area by the Friday morning. Initially, there was hope that we might get one more shot, but that hope quickly evaporated. The race officials had to concede that was still too damp to race safely. So yet again, we would end the year empty handed.

My team and I have been working on so hard this campaign. It has become quite the ordeal. Despite everything that has got in our way over the past few years, we won’t give up. We will continue until I finally see 200 MPH on the dash.

And then onto the next record…

Posted on March 1, 2021 June 30, 2021

LSR1 MKII Track Test at Sydney Dragway

Elliott Andrews testing the Elliott Motorcycles LSR1 MKII land speed race bike at Sydney Dragway

LSR1 MKII Track Test at Sydney Dragway

On Monday 8 February 2021 Elliott Motorcycles completed a track test at Sydney Dragway of our LSR1 MKII race bike. All going well, our LSR1 MKII race bike would become the first Harley-Davidson® motorcycle in the world to run an Emtron engine management system.

Our first aim was to complete a few controlled test passes so that I could get the feel for the new setup of the bike. Secondly, we needed to make sure our onboard sensors/systems were working as we expected. Then, we needed to check that data was being recorded properly and to make minor adjustments if required.

We had the sole use of the track for four hours. That might seem like a lot. However, it’s a very tight window when you’re testing a specially engineered machine for the first time. Good thing we did test the bike because we found a few gremlins we needed to sort before setting off for DLRA Speed Week 2021.

No time to mess around

I was keen to make the most of the opportunity. We arrived at the track early and quickly got to work preparing the bike in the staging area. At this point I had only tested the bike on the dyno. So we didn’t fit the new fairings at first. I wanted to make sure the upgrades and the new Emtron engine management system was working properly and safely. Anything could happen. If something did go wrong, I wanted to be able to quickly access all of the systems on the bike. I was as prepared as I could be. Dan Lesnock (Harley-Davidson ANZ Technical Lead) was there to help as well.

The First Pass

We started the bike as soon as our pit was setup and got it ready to go. I was excited. All going well, I’d be another step closer to achieve our goal of setting a new land speed record. I jumped on the bike and made my way through the tower to the start line. Then paused momentarily to get my bike lined up and to let my team get in position. As soon as I was set, I got on the throttle.

The power of the bike felt great, the bike just wanted to go. I used the opportunity to get a feel for the new riding position. It also gave me an opportunity to test the sensitivity of the new air shifter I had installed. The riding position was so different. It was more horizontal and more tucked in than the bike I had raced in 2018.

Sydney Dragway had just laid down a new track surface. A side benefit of this track test was being able to get a feel for it. It was so much better than the old surface and it got me excited about the upcoming drag racing season. But I needed to stay focused on the task in hand.

Enjoying the Moment

The first run was a success despite discovering a few minor things which needed adjustment. So, we fitted the fairings and I went for another pass. Tucked in behind the new fairing this time the sound of the wind was gone. I could hear the bike so much more clearly. It was sounding great!

A few more checks and adjustments and a few more passes later we had done all that could be done. Time permitting, I could have kept going there all day. Unfortunately, reality set in and we had to get back to work. All in all it was a successful day. So I was very happy that we did a track test at Sydney Dragway before heading to the salt.

Posted on January 4, 2021 June 29, 2021

Macarthur Flat Track 2020

Macarthur Flat Track 2020

2020 was a year where racing events were few and far between. However, I did manage to get some track time in during September at Macarthur Flat Track in Sydney’s southwest.

It has been a couple of years since I’ve thrown a leg over our hooligan race bike and opened her up on a flat track, even then it was on a completely different track both in terms of size and surface. At first I felt like Bambi on ice. But as I got more laps behind me I started to feel more comfortable.

It’s always great to catch up with Jamie Portelli and Ryan Vella and watch them cutting laps on their custom Harley-Davidson® Sportster® motorcycles. While I was still getting the hang of it, Jamie and Ryan were carving it up. It looked all too easy watching them make their way through a field of MX bikes.

These guys have definitely made the most of the new track at Appin and will be the ones to watch when racing starts up again this year.

Macarthur District Motorcycle Sportsmen club and Bankstown Wiley Park Motorcycle Club have created an awesome track with a great surface. The oval has two straightaways, one flat corner and one slightly banked corner, it’s a great for testing or getting out for a joyride for a on a Sunday morning.

It’s going to be a busy start to the year completing some epic customer projects and preparing for the salt, but I can’t wait to get some more laps in at Macarthur Flat Track during 2021.

Posted on June 2, 2020 June 30, 2021

World Record Attempt in the Balance

Elliott Motorcycles Land Speed Racing Start Line Australia

World Record Attempt

in the Balance

Greg Wapling (President of Dry Lakes Racers Australia) announced on 16 March 2020 that Speed Week 2020 and the World Speed Trials Australia would be postponed indefinitely. We were due to leave Sydney just 2 days later to participate in both events. Since then, the DLRA have confirmed we’ll have to wait for Speed Week 2021 for the next chance to break an Australian record. However, the World Speed Trials Australia remains in the balance. Without a sponsor for the event my world record attempt could be dead in the water.

Initial Impact

My team and I had spent soo many late nights getting final preparations in order in the last few months before DLRA Speed Week 2020 . We were dead tired and I was pretty much out of the loop with what was going on in the world. The DLRA was boasting perfect conditions for racing a few days prior (on the 12th). So at first I couldn’t believe the news. But as we caught up with how fast the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading around the world the realization quickly set in.

As COVID-19 spread international and state borders started to close. My parents were scheduled to fly from Birmingham UK to meet us in South Australia. But now, even if they did fly they wouldn’t be allowed to join us at the lake due to the new quarantine measures. For me personally that came as a big blow. I realized it would be a long time before being able to see them again.

Then within days medical and emergency services personnel were advised to forego any non-essential activities. So the DLRA could no longer guarantee adequate safety measures for racers and their teams. I fully supported the DLRA’s decision to postpone the events given the circumstances. They had no option really.

Still dreaming of salt

Racing on a salt lake is like nothing else. Especially here in Australia where the remoteness requires a lot of planning and preparation for racing teams. There is no electricity, no water supply and no phone signal at Lake Gairdner. What you bring with you is what you have to work with. You’re a very long way from a hospital if you get hurt or sick. Still, leaving the city behind to immerse yourself in the desert for a week is the dream for me. Living by sunrise and sunset, racing alongside likeminded people.

I must have dreamed of getting back to the salt a million times since my last visit in 2018. My team and I have been working on my next land speed campaign for well over a year now. I’ve been to Lake Gairdner three times, but this time is different. I am aiming to go far beyond anything I’ve done before. My goal is to break a world record and join the 200 mph club in the process.

A few months on, government-imposed restrictions are starting to lift in Australia. We’re starting to see professional sport resume. So my team and I have initiated a new plan for Speed Week 2021 taking advantage of the extra time. Meanwhile, James is working hard behind the scenes to try and help the DLRA find the sponsorship they need to make the World Speed Trials Australia possible at some point in the future. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Posted on May 17, 2020 June 29, 2021

Huge 400 Thunder Season Ahead

Corey Buttigieg at Santo's Summer Thunder 2020 (part of the 400 Thunder season)

Huge 400 Thunder Season Ahead

Corey Buttigieg's 400 Thunder Top Bike campaign remains on track despite all drag racing events having been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

With COVID-19 restrictions starting to lift around Australia, elite sports such as the Supercars, AFL and NRL are starting to restart their seasons and everyone seems to now be speculating about when drag racing will resume.

With such a long and unusual break in racing this year we’re all hoping that new event dates can be announced soon. The next round of the 400 Thunder Australian Professional Drag Racing Series is sure to be big and so fingers crossed motorsport fans will be able to come out and support their favourite race teams in a big way as well.

The NSW Government will take advantage of current track closures to undertake a $33 million upgrade of Sydney Motorsport Park, which includes $11 million for Sydney Dragway. The upgrades include a new concrete track surface, as well as a bunch of upgrades to pit lane and spectator areas. I can’t wait to see the new facilities and test out the new track. Fingers crossed it sorts out the dip in the braking zone.

In the meanwhile, we're getting ready

Huge thank you to everyone who has been keeping me busy with their projects through COVID-19. I can’t wait to show you all the cool stuff being developed for when racing gets back underway around Australia later this year.

Speaking with Corey Buttigieg on the phone the other day he was keen to get back on track as soon as interstate travel bans lift and new event dates can be announced. I can’t wait to be trackside supporting him.

On 16 January 2020, Corey Buttigieg and his Fastamoto team arrived at Sydney Dragway to begin the IHRA registration process for his upcoming campaign to race in the premier Top Bike bracket of the 2020/21 400 Thunder Australian Professional Drag Racing Series. His new nitro powered top fuel motorcycle with over 1,000 horsepower will propel Corey down the quarter mile quicker than we’ve ever seen him go before.

Tap here to read the full story from the 2020 Santo’s Summer Thunder.