Charity drag bike run rescheduled by rain

Hertfordshire-based motorbike builders, Mint Customs, have built a one-off drag racing motorcycle, set to be auctioned off for charity.

Using a 2007 Yamaha R1 engine with a minor fueling tune, the bike was created in partnership with the company One Facility, who funded the build, with all proceeds going to children’s charity Noah’s Ark. As well as superbike power, it also uses a bespoke frame and Ducati front end.

The machine was set to be raced on Saturday, September 22 at Santa Pod, in Wellingborough, by Mint Customs’ very-own Simon Parry, who has a background in both racing and working on superbikes.

Unfortunately, the rain began to pour just as Simon was heading out for his first run of the day, eventually causing the cancellation of the meeting.

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The team now plan to run the bike this coming weekend, on Saturday, September 29, with Parry saying: “We have now rescheduled for this Saturday, as the weather looks good to go.

“I managed to get right in the zone for the run and the bike was running sweet, too. I was absolutely gutted! We had a large amount of people there aswell, all of which are now looking forward to this weekend.”

The drag racer came into the team’s possession after a tattoo artist rang up to say he had the bike sitting in his shop as an ornament and wondered if the team knew of anyone who wanted it. From there, the idea to build a bike for charity began to snowball. 

Speaking with MCN last week, ahead of the first drag attempt, Parry said: “I find it quite humbling that kids can be so strong when they are very unwell, so when I found out we were building the bike for a children’s charity, I was all over it.

“With regards riding the bike, I’m actually sh**ing it! The last time I rode anything at Santa Pod was a Yamaha RD350 Power Valve in 1984. I hope it goes in a straight line and I’ve told everybody that I am hoping for a sub-10 second time.

“However, I’ve got to be honest with you, last time I was there I managed to flip the Power Valve during my last burnout!”

Final venue yet to be announced

A final venue and date for the auction has not yet been decided, however the bike will travel to The Bike Shed, in Shoreditch after this next drag attempt, where it will appear on display to gather greater awareness about the project. It is hoped that the bidding will take place there, too.

You can follow the build more closely via the Mint Customs YouTube channel, which you can access below.

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