Member Inducted 2012
The Brachtvogel Family
History
From the early 1970's to present day Frank, Phil and Alex
Brachtvogel's names have been associated with drag racing.They
spent years at the top of two-wheeled drag racing, developing Top
Fuel motorcycles in co-operation with Pete Davies and John Clift.
They were innovative in their approach, sometimes leading the
world. Their bikes became a classic route into Top Fuel for many of
today's stars - and they were British built. This, along with
Alex's dedication to improving the expertise and conditions of
marshals, is why the Brachtvogels have been inducted into the
British Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
There are many families involved in drag racing - quite a few
inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame over the years.
It is the sort of sport that requires total commitment if you want
success, and that means the family too. The sport becomes your life
and the Brachtvogel family members of Phil, Frank and the late Alex
all fall into this category - making a difference to drag racing in
the areas of drag bike riding, building and event organising.
Alex Brachtvogel was a friend of Mike Hutcherson and worked with
the Houndog drag racing team for many years. So he was probably the
first brother to become involved in the sport during the early
1970s - and with four wheeled machines too. As far as bikes are
concerned it was Frank's wife who was responsible for prompting the
purchase of their first machine in 1978 - a 650cc Triumph followed
by Terry Revill's Kawasaki. Frank also decided he would like to buy
the double Norton owned by Jonny Munn who was moving on to a new
partnership with John Hobbs and the Hobbit. After three years Frank
and Phil decided to focus their efforts on the Kawasaki, which they
developed as an injected bike running on nitro and this is when the
name Quarter Scorcher really started to impress on a series of
machines being constantly developed and sold on. With Phil Riding
and Frank fixing, the first blown Quarter Scorcher ran consistent 8
second passes with his first 8 put down in 1982. Alex helped out
when his duties with the Houndog team allowed.
They took their first ACU Drag Bike Championship in 1988 and
also put down the quickest bike elapsed time of the year at 7.17
seconds. 1990 saw the Brachtvogel team run the first UK six second
run on two wheels putting down a 6.97 at 193 mph. In the same year
they ran the first UK bike 200 mph and the first side-by-side 200
mph runs on two wheels alongside Mark Pemble. Along the way the
Brachtvogels picked up several best engineered bike and best
appearing bike awards. They were always 'show' and 'go' bikes and
during some of the lean drag racing years of the late 1980s and
early 1990s they were sometimes the only Top Fuel bike at an
event.
While they were developing their own machines the Brachtvogels
were also helping Adam Hewitt with his imported Harley Top Fuel
bike. Phil and Frank acted as joint crew chiefs and together they
won several European Championships as well as joining Adam for
racing trips to the USA. They took their Yamaha Quarter Scorcher
with them in 1998 and picked up the Best Engineered Bike AMA
Prostar USA. It was sold to Ian King shortly after and, like many
other ex-Brachtvogel machines, this started another story.
It's not often that we can say that UK drag racing was ahead of
American racers but after a meeting with Dennis Priddle the
Brachtvogels pioneered the use of screw blowers on the third
Kawasaki Quarter Scorcher. This was picked up by American rider
Larry McBride and led to riders in the USA following the
Brachtvogel's lead. But the Brachtvogels always pay tribute to Pete
Davies and John Clift as being instrumental in their success and
are proud of the fact that their bikes were British built.
Meanwhile Alex had moved on to the organisation side becoming a
track marshal and eventually a well-respected Chief Marshall for
the SPRC for two years until an illness caused his untimely death
in 2001. As well as having responsibilities for equipment levels,
vehicle maintenance and event running, he's especially remembered
for being a real work horse and a person who would help anyone. He
was a Mentor and friend to many and he certainly improved the role
and conditions for marshals. He is remembered by the Alex
Brachtvogel Memorial Trophy awarded each year to a person giving
outstanding service to drag racing; most fitting. Phil and Frank
have been resting for a few years but are developing a V-twin drag
bike and have purchased the third Kawasaki Quarter Scorcher that
they hope to restore for nostalgia events. See you at Dragstalgia
guys.
BrianTaylor