Rikard Gustafsson
October 22, 1968 – 29 May, 2026
words and photos by Tom McCarthy
On May 29, 2026, the horrific news reached Dragbike.com that European Top Fuel motorcycle drag bike pilot Rikard Gustafsson lost his life during an exhibition event earlier that day. While the appropriate local authorities piece together exactly what happened and why, the worldwide Top Fuel motorcycle community is reeling from this terrible tragedy.
For one of the most talented Top Fuel motorcycle pilots on the planet to suddenly be lost to an exhibition incident is incomprehensible, despite our knowing the inherent dangers of motorcycle drag racing. All of the community close to Rikard, his family, and teammates, are still in shock at this time.
Turning the clock back to 2017, I remember Rikard unboxing his Top Fuel motorcycle at the Man Cup World Finals that year. As I met Rikard for the first time, he was already a legend in the EU, and I looked forward to seeing him perform in the USA. He and his team did not disappoint.
The RG Engineering dragbike was meticulously prepared, prior to shipping to the USA, and it fired up sharp and crisp on the initial spin-up. Rikard and his teammates carefully walked the South Georgia Motorsports Park racing surface shortly after warming up the bike. They wanted to be sure what they were dealing with, and they were extremely proficient in every aspect of their preparation.
On Rikard’s first burn-out in the SGMP racing surface, I noted he leaned into the bike’s power band and, without hesitation, lit that rear tire as he meant it. He was not holding back, not being conservative; he stabbed the throttle like he was about to stage for a final round. He piloted the bike like it was a record run. Clearly, he was not afraid of the bike and commanded it with skill.
I recall his first pass was in the five’s, but I don’t recall all the numbers. What I do recall is he was all business and this man was a force to be reckoned with. Rikard Gustafsson was made of “The Right Stuff” and as capable as anyone to win the event.
Thousands of drag bike racers want to race in the Top Fuel class one day. Less than 1% will ever do so. Fewer still have what it takes to pilot, never mind successfully race a Top Fuel motorcycle as a championship contender.
Let the record show, Rikard won no less than 6 national titles and earned the respect of his peers worldwide. He will long be remembered as one of the world’s best Top Fuel motorcycle dragbike pilots.
As we all collectively grieve at this time, please feel free to copy, share, and download these photos of Rikard’s 2017 trip to the ManCup World Top Fuel Challenge held nearly a decade ago. Be sure to tag family and friends to share these memories of this fallen warrior. Please help to keep this world-class racer’s memory alive.
One beautiful aspect of photography is that the images keep people with us forever. In time, the memories are all we have left of what once was.
Pray for Rikard’s family, his team, and his friends. The Top Fuel motorcycle community lost big when we lost this man, but his family, teammates, and friends feel the loss so much more.
-Tom McCarthy
Senior Editor Dragbike.com
 | Until Next time… – Tom McCarthy |
