When Tires FAIL at 200+ MPH!

For veteran drag bike racer Terry Schweigert, he had no idea he was about to encounter the most horrifying weekend of his drag racing career when his turbo charged Funny Bike nearly crashed several times due to tire failures. In this video we dive deep into the issue and explore what could be causing it, show you the alarming tire fail of Rob Garcia and the devastating 197 mph motorcycle drag racing crash of Mike Chongris. By the grace of God all three men would survive these scary incidents. After destroying three tires and two carbon fiber drag bike bodies we catch up with crew chief Dan “The Man” Wagner to get his take on what’s going wrong. We also talk with Terry Schweigert as he shares some truly staggering tales of what it was like exploding tires and being pinned up against the wall with the throttle stock wide open. Was it an over-prepped race track? Are the bikes too powerful for their ultra-light chassis? Is this an issue the tire manufacturers need to solve? You be the judge. Weigh in with your opinion in the comments.
Subscribe to OUR Motorcycle Channel ► / cycledrag

[@glbaker5987]

Really good coverage Jack thank you for bringing it to us

[@bwayne40569]

Thank for all the great content and hard work you do we all appreciate it and hope to see you at Pmra this year!!!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks man! I would like to come to PMRA. Thanks so much for watching! Please give this a share if you can. All of your motorcycle friends are welcome here.

[@markguerin701]

You do a real nice job on your videos young feller.... Keep up the good work ! If you can make it to Michigan this season I'll say hello to ya ... And maby get one of your shirts

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice video Jack 🏍👍. It's scary as hell, when a tier loses pressure. I had it twice, tank slappers. Or the back end , just let's go. 😬🤯

[@dougankrum3328]

'Tank slappers'....Yeah, I had that once on my Stock 72 sportster....probably scared the other drivers on the Freeway more than it scared me...3 friends riding their 1970's Sportsters with got the wide-eyed treatment too...

[@rickchambers73]

So glad to see that he walk away from a 200 mph crash

[@lilstui3921]

Great content ,this game is for the brave and fearless, god bless all riders 🇬🇧

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for watching! Please give this a share if you can. All of your motorcycle friends are welcome here.

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I worked in the tire industry for over 20 years... We always tried to instill into people that, it does not matter what you ride or drive, if the tires are not up to the task, it will probably end in tears.

[@derekwall200]

it's nothing short of amazing and miraculous that these riders can get up and walk away from a 200+ mph wipeout

[@GuruBikerTrash]

These guys AR running into the same thing that MotoGP ran into about 5-10 years ago! The bike technology/ horsepower is overcoming the tire tech! Yes, Jack, the tire manufacturer's need to get into it and step up the tire construction and/or find a new additive to the tire composition that will hold together NO MATTER WHAT the track prep is!

[@cycledrag]

Wow, please tell me more about the Moto GP situation. Thanks so much for watching! Please give this a share if you can. All of your motorcycle friends are welcome here.

[@GuruBikerTrash]

Thanks for the reply! MotoGP(formerly know as the 500cc GP championship) has, I found out, been dealing with tire problems since the 1950's! Currently, Michelin is the offical suppilet of spec tires for ALL MotoGP teams! They are running either single- or dual- compound tires in a soft, medium or hard compound! The hard compound tires are longer- lasting and give more traction, but response is lower in turns and such! The softer compounds have better response, but wear fast and some riders are even spinning them on turns and straights, because the bike is overpowering the tire! These are 350lbs bikes with around 240hp! What drag racing might have to go with is developing a dual- compound(asumetric) tire just the reverse of MotoGP-hard on the side of the tire footprint, but soft(or softer) in the middle, so the the sides don't rip off and chunck, but soft(softer) in the middle for grip/ traction, so the tire will still be able to grow on heavy acceleration and grip the track all the way down the strip! Might be a good suggestion! Put a bug in someone's eat, Jack! Thanks again, Take Care, God Bless! STAGE'EM AND LAUNCH'EM!

[@reidbtable]

Cycle Drag one of the best motorsports channels......PERIOD!!!!!!! Salute to ALL THE "fearless" riders.

[@forestgimblett2364]

I had a front tire go away on a 1979 CBX ,at a 140 mph . One year old bike then ,lucky it was stock and heavy . I still like drag racing bikes old slow ones !

[@DavidC1]

seems like a nightmare of a weekend

[@larrylux]

I was there Jack, a historical weekend. Sorry the Honda puked a quart on starting line. We're only three years into this program, maybe next year in Top Gas.

[@larrylux]

I agree with Dan, combination of raw horse power and trac prep.

[@karlknudson4644]

Dan the man hit the nail on the head install after rear fender so tire clears the bodywork the tire grows at 2 00 mph tire is way taller

[@julieanntumlin3993]

In '96 the tire folk got together and decided one would make the small slick and they changed the compound. I was standing on the starting line in Gainesville, Florida. My daddy ran top gas so index was 8.20. About 186 mph that back tire came off the rim. He still qualified 2nd and lined up....guess what happened next!

[@normasnockers323]

really smart tech guys

[@goldhunter9641]

Jack they get a lot of High Winds down there in SGMP Country and there's a lot of sand in the soil there but with all of the no bar radial tire racing and truckloads of glue that track gets sprayed with year in and out for RVW Racing Events, I believe that could be a big issue with Tire destruction on that Particular Track when it comes to bike tires and I don't believe a front and rotating sweeper brush on a tractor would be enough to clean the surface properly and scraping the entire track would be a lot of work before an event too... That's just a thought I've always had on tracks that post a lot of the radial tire races that require so much glue compound for the radial tire to work right.. I would imagine all of the glue that makes the radial tire work right holds in a lot of them wanted material and debris to the track causing Tire failure also, kind of like racing a cross a strip of sandpaper, if you would think of it that way

[@deeyo__]

i’m literally thinking THE SAME THING! SGMP has done sooo so many RVW events, to the point where they’ve prepped the track so much to where only certain tires can make a decent pass. this goes for regular bike AND car/doorslammer slicks. just my humble opinion, tho...

[@goldhunter9641]

@@deeyo__ I believe it would be the most accurate or logical answer to these bikes destroying tires at this particular track because they're not hurting their tires anywhere else they race and lights out which is Donald Long's race, is coming up again next week starting around 02-23-2021 thru 02-28-2021 and upcoming higher horsepower bike events should keep that in mind so the track can be swept and prepped Properly... Also if Everyone would please keep the Track Owner of SGMP Ozzy Moya in Their Thoughts and Prayers Because He has been Diagnosed with Cancer Recently and I will be Praying For him 🙏🙏🙏

[@roncoburn7771]

man that is ridiculous dam right its the track i wouldnt even race their all that money for tires not to mention wrecking the dam bike

[@lonloren2317]

They will figure out a solution to the problem as long as the research continues. It's always the same problem that the tire tech doesn't keep up with the engine tech. New blends have to be developed.

[@user-zu8jh2oi5y]

Tires are spinning and when they lift the tires chunk big problem on nitro cars

[@kayejaye261]

1/8th mile I think be smart for safety and cost. Great vid. As always thanks.

[@1KDave]

He has posted this a bunch of times.... top fuel was running that weekend no problem and they run a big tire. These bikes were stretching a small tire onto a big wheel. Cant do that on a booming track.

[@goldhunter9641]

I'm with you on this situation Jack and eighth mile drag racing for bikes is so much safer and honestly I think in quarter mile racing Larry McBride probably has the safest machine out there but Terry schweigerts type of bike being lightweight and fast as hell would be like sitting on top of a ticking time bomb

[@frank-xp6pj]

No DISRESPECT to any riders or teams BUT I’m only interested in 1/4mile.....the 1/8th mile is too short for my taste. I’m glad all racers are safe.

[@davidmacphee8348]

Well, right off the bat I say I don't have clue, But I have a feeling the air in the tire is heating up so much that the tire expands. I think they need a special pure gas not prone to heat expansion, Oh Well ..

[@dougankrum3328]

'Special gas'..? Nitrogen...NASCAR uses it, .likely these guys do also.

[@rickchambers73]

I'm not a bike Racer, so I don't know a lot. How much per tire does it cost. Merry Christmas

[@treeguyable]

And I catch my toe on the coffee table , down for the day.

[@goldhunter9641]

Anywhere a Radial Tire Race for Cars is Ran at, is Not The Ideal Place to Run a Drag Slick Race For Cars and Especially Bike Events at,, UNTIL After The Full Racing Length of the Tracks Surface has been Cleaned Properly by Scraping and even in my opinion Tractor Brushing From One End to The Other Multiple Times if needed so with these Bike Events The Tires Don't Blister, Chunk Out and Rip Apart Basically down Towards The Big End because these bikes bodies aren't tearing up the tires nearly as bad as The Glue and what the Glue Traps Down to The Surface of the track like sand Sediment and Other Abrasive Debris.....

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS I AM ENJOYING YOUR VIDEOS I AM FROM ATHENS GREECE WE DONT HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HERE SO IAM ENJOYING YOUR VIDEOS ARE AMAZING FANTASTIC MAGIC I RIDE HAYABUSA 2 rd GEN THANK YOU ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[@cycledrag]

Cool! I have a 2nd gen Busa too! Thanks so much for watching! Please give this a share if you can. All of your motorcycle friends are welcome here.

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

@@cycledrag THANK YOU VERY MUCH PLEASE TO MEET YOU ALL MY FRIENDS THEY SEE YOUR VIDEOS THANK YOU ! ! ! ! !

[@oldskoolbronco]

If you listen to Dan, the tyres were fine at the other tracks with same et or faster and quicker. Even TFB had issue, like Larry with special MT tyre. Overprep happend here to in Europe and same chunking with thres. Even with Pro Street tyres(SSB). Traction compound the same? It is allready starting at the startline and blistering at the 1/8. Dan knows! Organisers need to come together with the crewchiefs and prep different.

[@jeffreybamford7365]

You could do with someone else on the team to get top end footage ...

[@fearlessshadow5856]

Curious on PSI they run?

[@davidmacphee8348]

Good point! Wow!

[@chrisbraid2907]

Starting and final pressures can be very different. Burnout brings up the pressure too ...

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

They would have to not prep that track for years or completely scrap down to concrete and start over soucj glue has been put down for radial races 2 times a year

[@dougankrum3328]

My 2 CENTS worth....I'm riding my 1946 Knuckle with a rigid frame...150/90/15 AVON Venom in the rear....I can stick my hand between the tire and fender right in the center...a while back, I was jammin' along at a high speed (no speedo on here)....I stopped later and discovered the tire had expanded enough to RUB on the inside of the fender....so, not likely I was going more than uhm....100 MPH on that bike...with the original stock 74" motor..? I had friends in the 1970's with a Top-fuel Funny car...same deal, their tires got huge at 200 MPH...

[@neilg8857]

How much dose the average tire cost?

[@alexm668]

$300-400

[@rschris]

Hey man , why didn’t anyone trim the bodywork back and make a pass that day?

[@rschris]

That track requires the bike to have different bodywork , because of the bumps, it cutting the tires up and if not manufacturers need to make a statement!

[@margarita8442]

is very tiring

[@koolsolutionszx12r55]

Have you guys given any thought to your rim size? You appear to run an over width rim for the tire. I understand this is what the new rave is on car tire bikes. But it appears from the pictures the center of the tire is not loaded like the sides. Just a thought.. Any input at this point might shed light.

[@groomlake51]

its cold temps and too much glue thats the problem

[@fearlessshadow5856]

I'd say Covid laid off most of their R/D department, who needs well made tires? Or kinda sick for a couple days

[@sammygonzalez7627]

That what they called, Deja'vu...it take a special set of "COJONES" going through it the first time, but back to back. Nothing wrong with 1/8 mile. Just play it safe

[@doon714]

Back off the track prep a little bit and It wont be chewing the tires up....................

[@MarkReedman]

Those tyres suck where to they come from? Panadol lol

[@1KDave]

How many times does this all need posted???? I mean really lol.... might at well start posting the Chris Moore stuff again

[@jontrudell7529]

This was way more in depth and had Never before seen footage!

[@OldGuy70s]

Why the FK is it an American Themed bike if he's Canadian................................

[@MYZRX12]

Jack, Dude you need to go next step and get down track footage .

[@cycledrag]

Hopefully soon

[@michaeldezorzi6244]

Sorry to say but maybe turbo should on the street.

[@brianhelland7442]

THANK GOD THESE GUYS DIDN'T DIE IN THE ACCIDENTS I THINK THEY SHOULD CHANGE THE TIRES EVERY RACE OR EVERY OTHER RACE WITH OTHER BURNOUTS THEY DO THAT PROBABLY MADE THEM WEAKER I'M THINKING MAYBE NOT BUT YOU'LL BE HORRIBLE ANYBODY DIED ON THESE HIGH-POWERED BIKES EXTREMELY HIGH POWERED NITRO BIKES

[@brianhelland7442]

But it would be horrible if anyone dies doing this extremely dangerous sport especially with those high-powered nitro bikes unbelievable I didn't know such a thing exist until a few months ago on KZbin I was shocked how powerful they were and what they sounded like like the funny cars in the top fuel same kind of noise loud extremely loud exhaust and each cylinder firing differently Just like top fuel and funny cars totally awesome very very dangerous though

[@chrisabbott978]

Salute

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for watching! Please give this a share if you can. All of your motorcycle friends are welcome here.

[@chrisabbott978]

Yessir 💯💯💯

[@jimmyboy9546]

Sabotage sabotage

[@TheRoguelement]

Dear Mr Cycle drag guy.. do you think its possible to see more bikes and less of your face in my monitor ...I would really hate to drop your channel ...

[@RustyWells2]

I'm the last one to say 1/8 mile but after watching this I'm all for the 1/8 mile if it's good enough for Duck it's good enough!🦅🇺🇸🦅

[@ikxngjaylen8411]

First

[@chrisabbott978]

🍪

[@ikxngjaylen8411]

@@chrisabbott978 thx for the cookie

[@chrisabbott978]

Yessir

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for watching! Please give this a share if you can. All of your motorcycle friends are welcome here.