CHRIS HAMPSON
5th May 1957 - 29th May 2000
Drag racing journalist and photographer Roger Gorringe writes:
Chris Hampson the 43 year old Top Fuel Bike rider, sadly died as a result of injuries
sustained in a top end mishap on the Bank Holiday Monday, during the first round of
competition in the FIM Competition Bike series. No-one else was involved in the
tragic accident.
Chris had been involved with Drag Racing for a long time. I first got to know him when he
became a writer for me for Drag Racing News back in 1982, and he was still helping out with
FIM Bike information for the Santa Pod programme until his untimely death. He always seemed
a quiet, articulate man but with a fervent and passionate enthusiasm for the sport, especially
the bikes. His journalistic talents included some top name national publications, including
Motor Cycle News. During his time with Drag Racing News he started racing in the Street Bike
class in 1984, moving up in 1986 to successfully campaign for many years, a Funny Bike, even
doing a tour of Australia.
In 1998 he became involved with Phil Baimbridge and his Top Fuel Bike team, riding the
ultimate two-wheel machine, a Top Fuel Bike. Chris� best times on the bike were a 6.67 second
e.t. and a 207 mph ticket.
To say this man will be sorely missed is an understatement; Drag Racing has lost at least
two talents, a brave competitor and a resourceful writer. Many will express their sincere
condolences to his family and numerous friends; I am a mere one of them.
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