PSM’s Hector Arana, Sr. Tops 200 MPH In Pre-E’Town Testing

A handful of Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors will be aiming to become the first rider in the history of the two-wheeled category to eclipse the 200 mph barrier in competition at this weekend’s NHRA Summernationals at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, and as one of just two men to ever accomplish the feat — unofficially, of course — veteran Hector Arana, Sr. ranks as one of the favorites to get it done.

With an off-weekend in their Mello Mello Drag Racing Series schedule, the Arana’s, Hector Sr. and Jr., took part in the Capitol Raceway’s inaugural U.S. Pro Stock Motorcycle Open, where Sr. clocked his career fastest speed of 200.26 mph on a run of 6.82-seconds.

“We took our bikes to Maryland to race in the U.S. Open and, more importantly, test our bikes so we can get a good setup for Englishtown,” Arana said. “We took my Lucas Oil Buell and my son Hector Jr.’s Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell to Maryland to see if we could alleviate some of the mechanical issues we’ve had so far this year, and I think we’ve got those problems solved now.

“We weren’t even trying to run 200 mph. I was just trying to make sure the bike left the starting line well, and then we get up there and see that 200.26 on the scoreboard. It was a great feeling, but I want to do it at an NHRA event. Now that we’ve broken through I think we can do it very soon, hopefully in Englishtown.”

Arana’s run is the second to unofficially eclipse the double-century mark, after Eddie Krawiec lit the scoreboards at the South Georgia Motorsports Park with a 200.28 mph speed while testing all the way back in the spring of 2012.

Despite half a decade passing since Krawiec’s run, the 200 has eluded the class, with the record standing at 199.88 mph.

Based on his 12th position in the points standings, Arana, Sr., who holds the Englishtown track speed record at 199.35 mph, will be one of the first of the expected 200 mph challengers to take to the track in Friday’s opening qualifying session.

Lead photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster