Feb 26

No barriers for top fuel bike pilot Ben Stevens

Second generation racer Ben Stevens is letting nothing get in the way of realising his Top Fuel Motorcycle dreams, overcoming injury in order to take to the quarter mile.

Stevens is a former stunt rider, but after having his right leg amputated from the knee down needed a new way to get his adrenaline fix.

Initially the talk of racing Top Fuel bikes was in jest, but the son of former Top Doorslammer pilot Gary, and nephew of Nitro Harley rider Kim, became set on getting back on two wheels.

“I was having a joke with a mate about fuel bikes whilst laying in a hospital just after I lost my leg,” Stevens said.

“My days as a stunt rider were over, and the next craziest thing that stuck in my mind was Top Fuel Motorcycle, so I thought I may as well turn the joke into a reality.

“I had always wanted to give one a shot. Watching my uncle ride them like an animal for many years concreted it on the to-do list.”

Stevens impressed at the opening round of the 2015 Top Fuel Motorcycle ANDRA Drag Racing Series round at Perth’s Motorplex, reaching the semi finals on debut.

For something that started as a joke, Stevens his racing seriously – already eyeing off his uncles times.

“We know the bike has a lot more in it, Uncle Kim had run 6.50 on it a few years back, and has also run at 218 mph,” Stevens said.

“The biggest thing for myself and our team is to get a handle on different tunes and setups and get them down the track.

“We’re a fresh team, with four out of the five crew having no involvement with drags before.”

Stevens will take to the track again this weekend when he contests the Washpod Nitro Max at Perth Motorplex, rounds two and three of the ANDRA Top Fuel Motorcycle Championship.