Laverda Drag Racing

Laverda Drag Racing

Laverda enthusiasts saw racing Laverda continue into 2018 when Laverda Owners Victoria subscribers Jesse (Jimmy) Parish (DAM Laverda 981cc) and Maurice Turner (Laverda 1170cc) entered their 3 cylinder machines in the Geelong Speed Trials staged on a 400m continuous curved section of closed public road along the foreshore of the beach. After reaching speeds well in excess of 200kmh the riders were presented with the finish line that demanded a very heavy braking requirement to negotiate the limited run-off area. Courage and skill was needed as much at the end of the run as during it!

Jesse (Jimmy) Parish who had a background in enduro dirt-bikes, and had little experience with road bikes when he entered the event, struggled to control the wheelie of the front wheel of the DAM Laverda race bike. After some advice in conversations with the experienced Maurice Turner, Jimmy outpaced the larger capacity bike setting a new Drag Racing Record for Pre 1973 motorcycles at the 1/4 mile curved beachfront street track on the DAM Laverda 981cc Bol d'Or replica race bike. This record for Laverda stands unbeaten.

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