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Exclusive Feature on L Plate Racing  For this feature we head to the class where the only thing bars are good for is drinking in, Super Street Bike. The spotlight falling this time on L Plate Racing and the only female rider to compete regularly in the class, Rachel 'Rat' Pattison. Rachel came up through the ranks of 9.90 Bike, and moved to Super Street Bike two seasons ago when she got fed up with slowing down to try and stay within the 9.90 index! Over the past two seasons she has constantly been evolving her bike to the point where she now holds the unofficial title of 'Quickest Bandit in Europe' with an 8.66/166 pass. Thanks to Rat for taking the time to complete this feature for us, and for not plugging her company too much! Eurodragster: Tell us a little about yourself away from the track? Rat: I own and run a motorcycle training school in Swindon, Abbey Rider Training, yep, that's Abbey Rider Training, 01793 705905. I live in a new mobile home which according to my team mate Beany Boy (Paul Newman - Features Ed), makes me a posh pikey! Beer, fags, knitting, calligraphy, you know - the usual stuff! Did I mention Abbey Rider Training? Eurodragster: When did you first go to a drag race? Rat: About eight or ten years ago at the Bulldog Bash. First time at Pod was about 1997 I think, to watch the Thunderball. Eurodragster: When did you first take part in a drag race? Rat: In 1998 I took my old GS850 rat bike up the strip at the Bulldog. As I remember it just about made it to the end, and only just got me home too! In 1999 I took my brand new Bandit to the Bulldog and came third in the Japanese Lady class (that's the bike that's a Jap - not me)! In 2000 I went to the Bulldog, on the Bandit again, my sole intention this time was to win. Guess what - the trophy still has pride of place on my desk, at Abbey Rider Training (did I mention that)?
Rat: The same Bandit, only its been ever so slightly modified now... Eurodragster: When did you acquire your current bike? Rat: 2000 Eurodragster: Who built the bike originally? Rat: Suzuki! Eurodragster: What is the powerplant and who built it? Rat: The engine is a standard Bandit engine which has been rebuilt with low-compression turbo pistons and heavy duty rods. Eurodragster: Approximate BHP? Rat: About 300bhp with the gas, about 240bhp without Eurodragster: What drivetrain does the bike employ? Rat: Standard Bandit five-speed box, completely unmodified! Eurodragster: What is the bike's race weight? Rat: Don't know, don't think the scales would take the weight of my bike, especially not with me on it!
Rat: Well first there was the turbo, with slightly lengthened swinging arm, then there was the gas, with even longer swinging arm and frame modification, then we wound up the turbo, then more gas - I think you get the picture. It went to visit Uncle Richard and Auntie Squirby last winter for a nice little overhaul, now it's even longer and lower with a lightweight body kit (deduct about 50lb from question 10!) Eurodragster: Best elapsed time / terminal speed? Rat: 8.66/166 Eurodragster: Who is your current crew? Rat: Anyone who cares enough and Ady from PEST engineering in Gloucester. Eurodragster: What plans do you have for the future? Rat: To be the quickest Bandit in Europe - what? Oh yeah, so it is (sorry Kev)! OK, the quickest Bandit in the world would be nice but I think Brock is a little way ahead of me yet. I'd also like to be the quickest woman in Super Street in this country. Does anyone know what I need to beat (I think the 8.66 gives you that one Rat - Features Ed)? The quickest woman on the planet is tempting but I think Scary and Helen are ever so slightly ahead of the game for that one. Also, you need slicks and bars for that, and we all know what bars are for don't we boys and girls?
Rat: 8.66 - quickest Bandit in Europe (allegedly). Oh yeah - and not falling off the back when Richard adjusted my clutch setting for the launch - nice one Rich! Eurodragster: What is your favourite story from the pits? Rat: I dunno, I can never remember what happens in the pits (pass me a WKD or two)! Eurodragster: What do like most about the sport? Rat: People, pure and simple. Never would you get such a friendly and helpful bunch of people all in the same place at the same time. Eurodragster: If you could award a medal to someone in Drag Racing, who would it be and why? Rat: Scary Jane Head. 8.0, 7.5, 7.0, now that's what I call getting to grips with it - good girl (shame about the bars - tee hee)! Eurodragster: Any people you would like to thank? Rat: Richard, Squirby, Ivan, Maria (and the kids of course), Andy, Beany Boy, Grumps and everyone who has helped me for the last three years (too many to list). Ady, Roy, Mark and PEST Engineering in advance for the help they are going to give me this season. Feature ©Eurodragster.com Feature index Back to News page Eurodragster.com aims to bring you links to all the best European Drag Racing web sites. To add your site to Eurodragster's listings, simply email [email protected] with your URL and a little information about your site and we'll do the rest. When you update your site, drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll feature your site in our "What's New" section. Eurodragster.com is a non-profit-making organisation run by a small group of Drag Racing enthusiasts for the sole purpose of promoting European Drag Racing. If you can help us to meet the modest cost of hosting this web site by advertising here, please email [email protected]. We're sure you'll find our rates extremely competitive. |
