Australia’s quickest man on two wheels will be attempting to set another Australian record, however, this time on his Nitro Harley V-Twin at the upcoming Winternationals.

Matheson holds the outright Australian Top Fuel Motorcycle Record on his Four Cylinder Nitro Voodoo machine at 6.04 seconds at over 241 mph set in 2013. Mark Drew holds the current V-Twin record at 6.37 seconds set earlier this year at the Perth Motorplex.

This year Matheson has been competing in the ANDRA Drag Racing Series on his Nitro Harley V-Twin, while he updates his record holding multi cylinder Nitro Voodoo machine for the 2015/2016 season.

Currently third in the Championship, Matheson said whilst mathematically he cannot win the title this year, he will chase second position and re-set the record in the process.

“To date we have had a chequered season, winning only one of the three rounds thus far, with luck not on our side,” said Matheson. 

“With a rain out at Sydney in Round 4, we only have one last roll of the dice at the final round at the Winternationals in a couple of weeks.”

The current V-Twin Jack Hammer certainly has the pedigree to mount a serious challenge as a former multiple American national championship winning bike and previous world record holder at 6.22 seconds over 230 mph.

Doug Vancil won numerous championships on the same machine, resetting records across the US for a number of seasons. After retiring the bike a few years ago, Matheson snapped it up to chase a championship here in Australia.

“The plan was to run the Twin after we achieve our goals on the Nitro Voodoo bike, however, I decided to bring it out while we freshen up the Voodoo machine, after being faced with the reality of parking the Voodoo machine for six months.

“One of the key reasons I bought the Harley was that it ran the same inboard clutch and gearbox configuration as the Voodoo machine, which is really the key performance heart of the Motorcycle. 

“It’s unique in Nitro Harley racing and I believe there is still more potential in the bike through the clutch. The Harley is a different beast, compared to the four cylinder machine, as its low revving, big cubes and slow off the line in comparison to the Voodoo machine. However, once it gets out near half-track it rock ‘n rolls, with big legs in the back half.

“The bike is great to ride, it’s an animal when you fire it up, it bangs away as if there is a blacksmith in the motor hammering an anvil, it jumps all over the place with every fire of the cylinders, like two cannons going off continuously.

“After sliding a titanium chest plate down the front of your leathers and lying over the 196 ci Jack Hammer, you really know you’re in a vulnerable position.

The concussion out of these bikes is all attention grabbing, but dare I say fun. They really are something to see, let alone ride.”

The Fuchs Winternationals featuring over 500 racers across the six ANDRA Drag Racing Series Group One categories and 12 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series brackets from all over the country take over Willowbank Raceway June 4-7.

Tickets are on sale online now – including discounted pre-purchase only tickets. Looking to bring the family? Don’t forget that children aged 13 and under gain free admission, while students with ID and Concession Card Holders can access discounted entry (terms and conditions apply). 

For more information including race scheduling please visit the event page here.

Image courtesy: High Octane Photos