A few days ago MotoGP visited Indonesia, but what we come to see now are acceleration races that take place in the Asian country. And also in Thailand, which MotoGP will visit at the end of October.
The passion for motorcycles in that area comes from afar, as we saw a while ago when we discovered these races precisely in Thailand. We must not lose sight of the fact that these two countries, and the rest of their surroundings, are currently a fundamental pillar for manufacturers, because the bulk of global sales are concentrated in that area of the world.
But where there are motorcycles there is passion, and where there is passion, racing cannot be missing. However, unlike in Europe, drag racing is very popular in both Indonesia and Thailand. It is difficult to know the exact reason, but perhaps it is because deep down, and despite the preparations, it is a simpler way to compete.
At the outset, watching the videos, the first thing that stands out is that in these acceleration races, safety is optional. Clearly the equipment is very far from what is required in speed races, no matter how amateur and club-based they may be. The only thing that seems to be mandatory is the helmet, which obviously has the same approval as the ones that children put on Playmobils.
These drag races became popular on the streets
And after the helmet, maybe and just maybe, they will force them to wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, because it even gives the impression that some of them don’t wear gloves, and those who do wear them are mechanics’ gloves. Ultimately, if it doesn’t make sense, at least coherence, especially if we take into account that this hobby comes directly from the street, where they have even been doing these illegal races for years and even the helmet is for “cowards.”
Despite this, it must be recognized that the result is very striking. These acceleration races feature, pay attention to the information, single-cylinder motorcycles of 125 cubic centimeters and two strokes. Logically, they are prepared to be able to carry out the best possible start, and that is why they are so low and elongated. They are authentic mini rockets with a spectacular sound for those of us who have grown up with two-stroke engines.
But more striking than all that is that, once they start to pick up speed, they change their position to lie down on top of the motorcycle, continue giving full throttle and engage the gears by hand. As wild as it sounds and as dangerous, because in the video you can see how the motorcycle becomes critical when changing position, and we are sure that on some occasion things have ended in disaster.
That’s why we said that the equipment was optional, but not having the fear of death has to be mandatory. Otherwise, no one in their right mind would launch into an acceleration race parallel to another, doing a plank on top of the motorcycle with the only protection that a beach bucket on your head can offer. But… who are we to judge them?
