THE SPIDERMAN GETS HIS CALL TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DRAG RACING HALL OF FAME

by Bobby Bennett, Jr.; Photos by Jack Korpela    Fri, 2024-02-16 10:14

 

 
 
 
Larry “Spiderman” McBride made famous doing on two wheels what many of his fellow drag racers couldn’t on four. 
 
The legendary figure in motorcycle drag racing will get his due on Saturday as he becomes the latest member inducted into the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame. 
 
McBride’s achievements include being the first racer in his category to achieve a five-second run and holding twenty-one championship titles. With a career spanning over forty years, McBride has dominated the Top Fuel Motorcycle category, setting numerous world records. Despite this recognition, McBride, a world record holder, has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
 
Reflecting on his selection for induction into the NC DRHOF, McBride expressed his gratitude and humbleness, calling it a dream come true to be recognized among the greats he admired as a young racer.
 
“It really has not sunk in yet; I have to pinch myself,” McBride said. “This accomplishment means the world to me. I just can’t believe it. To be in there with so many great people I looked up to as a kid while I was racing, it’s blowing my mind.
 
McBride, whose nominating sponsors included the founders of the NCDRHOF, Jim Turner and Frank Spittle, believed that he deserved this distinction. The nominating committee unanimously agreed that McBride’s achievements warranted his induction. 
 
This honor holds particular significance for McBride, as his career began with Turner and his Southern Cycle Racing at 18. The full-circle nature of his induction symbolizes the impact of Turner and North Carolina on McBride’s journey.
 
“It’s an honor that Mr. Turner wanted me in there. I started my career with him and his Southern Cycle Racing when I was just 18 years old,” McBride said. “It’s all come full circle.” 
 
Spittle, who himself raced against McBride several decades ago, acknowledged McBride’s potential for greatness early on but never anticipated the extent of his accomplishments or the longevity of his career.
 
“Even though he’s still racing, Jim felt Larry belonged in the Hall of Fame, and we all agreed,” Spittle said. “It’s absolutely amazing that Larry is still out there racing.”
 
“I think if Elmer (Trett) was alive today, he would tell you Larry is the greatest Top Fuel Motorcycle racer ever. I was at the end of my career when he was starting out and we could see he had the drive and was the perfect size, but none of us ever thought he would accomplish all that he did and he’d still be racing all these years later.”
 
 
 

 
Not only is McBride still racing at the age of 66, but he continues to dominate the sport, holding current world records of 5.50 in elapsed time and 268 mph in top speed. McBride’s recent return to the spotlight at NHRA National Events has attracted attention worldwide. 
 
Upon his induction, McBride will join the ranks of motorcycle drag racing icons such as Danny Johnson, Ray Price, Elmer Trett, and Jim McClure in the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame. 
 
McBride’s impact on North Carolina is undeniable, with records set at Rockingham Dragway and a long history of match racing in the state. Piedmont Dragway, operated by Jim Turner, often hosted McBride for match races alongside racing legends like Ray Price, Danny Johnson, and Elmer Trett, who played a crucial role as McBride’s mentor. Despite a crash at Piedmont in 1986, McBride swiftly recovered and resumed competing alongside Trett.
 
In recent years, McBride has continued to make his mark on North Carolina. Last season, he set a new 1,000-foot record at ZMAX Dragway in Charlotte, clocking in at an impressive 4.82 seconds. In 2019, he established a speed record of 265 mph at Rockingham Dragway, surpassing it multiple times afterward. McBride’s performances have consistently thrilled audiences and solidified his status as a top-tier racer.
 
As a gesture of appreciation, an autograph session will be held before the induction ceremony, allowing fans to meet McBride from 12 pm to 1 pm on Saturday. 
 
Considering his remarkable career, this induction into the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame may be the first of many for McBride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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