Photo Extra: The 2019 Manufacturers Cup Spring Cup At SGMP

The Manufacturers Cup, the world’s largest motorcycle drag racing event series, kicked off its season last weekend at the South Georgia Motorsports Park with throngs of two-wheeled machines of every variety on hand.

As eliminations drew to a close on Sunday afternoon, it was New York’s David Vantine who captured the event’s top piece of hardware, winning the Top Fuel crown in 5.93-seconds on a solo run after opponent Chris Hand broke. A round earlier Vantine had uncorked low elapsed time of the event with a stout 5.74 in a semifinal defeat of Mitch Brown.

Florida’s Preston Bartlett, the top qualifier in Pro Fuel, ousted Tyler Wilson in the finale, 7.36 to 7.48, while motorcycle drag racing veteran Paul Gast earned the Pro Mod victory over Chris Garner-Jones by a 4.02 to 4.11 count. Jean Gosselin, the top qualifier in Pro Open at 6.48, marched to the final round and benefited from a break single to cruise to the crown.

In the ever-exciting Pro Street class, Michigan’s Chris Connelly won out with a 6.79 as final round opponent Carlos Olivo fouled-out on the starting line. And in Real Street, Ohio’s Jeremy Teasley powered from the top spot in the field surpassing his 7.74 from qualifying with a stellar 7.70 in the final.

Ace photog Dwayne Culpepper was on-hand to capture all the action and the sights from the season kickoff!