Cambridgeshire, UK, 16th September 2018

Gulf Oil Drag Racing win 11th European Championship

The Gulf Oil Drag Racing team arrived at the final round of the FIM European Drag Racing Championship with a lead in the points from their 100% win rate in the competition to date but still requiring additional points to secure an 11th Championship title and defy the challenge from second placed rider Eric Richard from France.

The first day of qualifying saw team rider Filippos Papafilippou in second qualifying position despite both runs suffering from a loss of traction as the team sought the optimal clutch and fuel settings for the track and atmospheric conditions.

The team made a number of changes overnight and were confident of a good result for the second day of qualifying. They were proved right when `Fast Fil’ ran a fine 5.8143 seconds at a personal best speed of 240.29 mph to put him safely into a number one position with a time and speed that was not to be bettered throughout the event.

However, disaster struck when Filippos was unable to stop the Gulf Oil Puma on the high speed run and bailed from his motorcycle just before the end of the track, with the bike and rider ending some way into the field at the end.

Fortunately Fil escaped with `just’ bruising and after the formal impounding of the bike in `parc ferme’ for inspection the team set about stripping the machine down for damage assessment and repair in anticipation for round one of eliminations the following day.

However, the intensive labours of the team were to no avail as the necessary repairs were unable to be completed in time and the team failed to make their bye run in round one of eliminations.

Despite the huge disappointment of the team they had already secured their record 11th FIM European Championship win, and with new rider Filippos Papafilippou continued their outstanding history of race success.

Team Principal (and former Championship rider) Ian King said “once again we enjoyed an outstanding season. Filippos showed that he was a great fit for the team and demonstrated his skills in piloting one of the fastest and quickest motorcycles in the world to a number of personal and team bests. Our outstanding King Racing team showed once again that they can provide world-class performances, and with unique consistency and longevity achieved by the use of the best products in the field from our blue chip technical partners. Gulf Oil products have ensured that our engine has performed faultlessly under the extremes of our sport and I’d like to thank them and all our fabulous partners for their continued support and best in class products”.

Rider Filippos Papafilippou added “the Gulf Oil Drag Racing team are one of very few teams around the world that can demonstrate such a performance and I couldn’t do anything without them. Special thanks to Ian & Debbie King, Michael Beaumont, Marius van der Zijden, Martin Brookman, Nick Pepper and Basak Dogan for their help and support throughout the season”.

The team now move on to compete at their last event of the season, the USA MFC Championship Finals in Valdosta, South Georgia where Team Principal Ian King returns to the saddle for race duties.

Pictures courtesy of Ivan Sansom, Rose Hughes & Andy Wilsheer.

For more information on the team:

• Website: https://www.gulfoildragracing.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ian.king.73113
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kingracingpuma
• Email: admin@kingracing.com
• Twitter: @kingracing
• For more information on Gulf Oil International go to www.gulfoilltd.com

The Gulf Oil Dragracing team uses and endorses exclusively Gulf Oil greases and lubricants in their history-making machine.  The team is extremely proud to be supported by many leaders in their chosen markets in their participation in the 2018 FIM European Championship:

• APE  – The world’s most innovative manufacturer of aftermarket parts for race bikes
• BARNSDALE LEISURE – The UK’s Premier Knaus Caravan dealer
• COMETIC GASKETS – The Premier Manufacturer of racing gaskets
• GATES – The world’s most trusted name in drive belts, hoses and hydraulics
• GOODRIDGE – The most innovative and the best in fluid transfer systems
• GRAND PRIX ORIGINALS – The brand for drive and lifestyle, past and present
• GULF OIL INTERNATIONAL – The world’s most iconic brand in automotive fuels and lubricants
• GRAPHITE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING – A leader in 3D printed technologies and rapid prototyping
• H CRAFT CUSTOMS –- Race car preparation, roll cages, fabrication and custom projects
• HOTROD HANGAR – Home of the world renowned custom artist Knud Tiroch
• HYPERPRO – The leading producer of progressive suspension products for motor bikes
• JE PISTONS – The world’s premier manufacturer of high performance forged pistons
• JOHN AND DEA MORGAN RACING – The creators of the world’s most advanced New Age Funnybike
• KIBBLEWHITE PRECISION MACHINING – The highest quality valve train components available
• MICKEY THOMPSON – Simply the best drag race tyres in the world
• MRE – Leaders in trackside support for drag race components and air shifting systems
• MTC ENGINEERING – Manufacturer of clutches for the fastest motorcycles in the world
• NITROSHUTTER – Europe’s leading dragracing photojournalists
• NCTENGINEERING – Manufacturer of the world’s leading non-contact motorsport torque sensors
• NGK SPARKPLUGS UK – The world’s number one spark plug manufacturer
• PAR WILLEN – Master webmeister and proprietor of HarleyDrags.com
• PORTABLE SHADE – The best custom branded collapsible canopies available
• PRO ALLOY MOTORSPORT – The UK’s leading fabricator of alloy tanks, intercoolers and radiators
• ROSE AND COMPANY – The UK’s largest importer and stockist of Thule RV products
• SCOTT PERRI TRUCKING  – Logistics solutions par excellence
• TRIM TEX – The premier manufacturer of vinyl drywall beads & accessories
• TRYKA LED – the UK’s cutting-edge LED lighting manufacturer.
• VAN ES MOBILITY – The leading manufacturer of telematic products for management of moving objects
• VANSON LEATHERS – The most iconic brand in motorsport leather goods
• WEB CAMSHAFTS INC – Simply THE company for Top Fuel Bike camshafts
• WORLDWIDE BEARINGS – The world’s leading supplier of ceramic bearings for racing
• ZODIAC – Europe’s largest supplier of performance and aftermarket HD parts