Crazy, psychotic, suicidal – all are words that have been used to describe the riders of the 200 mile per hour nitro powered motorcycles of Nitro Bike.

But while those terms seem to fit perfectly anyone who consciously decides to hop on a two-wheeled bomb going speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, the drivers of the Nitro Bike class will be quick to tell you that, while it is as dangerous as it looks, it is all about the adrenaline and putting on a great show for the fans that keeps these guys glued to the seats week in and week out. Crazy, psychotic, suicidal – all are words that have been used to describe the riders of the 200 mile per hour nitro powered motorcycles of Nitro Bike.

But while those terms seem to fit perfectly anyone who consciously decides to hop on a two-wheeled bomb going speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, the drivers of the Nitro Bike class will be quick to tell you that, while it is as dangerous as it looks, it is all about the adrenaline and putting on a great show for the fans that keeps these guys glued to the seats week in and week out.

“Chasing the adrenaline rush, that is what it is all about,” said Surrey, British Columbia native Jason Arkinstall. “I have always been a snowmobile guy and an extreme guy so I got tired of watching and said you know what, I am going to try this. We have had nothing but success ever since.”

Arkinstall has been racing Nitro Bikes for the past few years, maxing out at an incredible 219 miles per hour a few years ago. Just yesterday Arkinstall threatened to equal that mark, putting down the fast lap of the race at 218.90 miles per hour during the pristine evening conditions, but it wasn’t good enough to top Friday’s charts.

That honor went to Victoria, British Columbia native Damian Cownden, another driver who has found just how addicting these two-wheeled rockets can be.

“We started out racing in the dirt and I watched these bikes as a spectator and basically got dared into trying one. We started out in the dirt and before you know it we are dong 100 miles per hour in three seconds and so we decided to step it up and move to asphalt,” Cownden said. “I have moved quickly through the ranks. I went from a 10-second gas bike to a 450 horsepower nitro bike and then to a Top fuel bike all in a few years and I will tell you, there truly is nothing like it in the world.”

While most people would question the sanity of anyone who would choose to ride one of these bikes, Cownden will quickly point out that, while he may be a bit crazy, he isn’t any different than anyone else.

He is just a regular guy who likes to ride his motorcycle – at over 200 miles per hour of course.

“The biggest thing is just to hold on. You can’t be taught how to drive one of these things. I have tried every dangerous sport and nothing compares to this,” Cownden said. “There is no adrenaline that relates to hanging over the side of a motorcycle going 200 miles per hour just to steer because your front wheel is still in the air.”

That is another thing that makes these motorcycles so dangerous.

As if 900 plus horsepower Nitro Methane engines weren’t dangerous enough, these monstrous machines will keep the front wheel in the air nearly half the track before finally returning to earth for the final few feet.

“I can’t explain it. Nothing comes close to the feeling and the rush. It is just unbelievable,” Arkinstall said. “It is all about having fun and keeping her pinned and putting on a good show for the fans.”

“While it is an adrenaline rush you still have to respect it and you have to be aware it is very dangerous just starting one of these things,” Cownden added. “I have always loved two wheels and I hope we can continue to do this for a long time.”

Over a dozen Nitro Bikes are on hand for this weekend’s River Cree Resort and Casino IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV looking to make an eight bike field.

 

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