Wayne Patterson is the latest recipient of the ANDRA Best Engineered Vehicle Award presented to the car or motorcycle judged to be the best engineered at the 43rd Westernationals.
Although the weekend didn’t go exactly to plan due to gear shifting problems and a broken titanium rod in the second qualifier burnout causing significant irreparable damage, Patterson said he was happy and proud to receive the award.
“We were really glad to win this award,” he said. “My son Todd who had built the bike for me has done a brilliant job and even invented an air operated clutch system that he patented in the USA.”
“He received that patent the same week as the ANDRA Westernationals award for the Best Engineered Vehicle so we’re really proud of both those achievements. Thank you for the prestigious award.”
ANDRA Competition Manager Brett Stevens said Patterson’s bike is one of several new bikes showing innovation and flair.
“Some of these new bikes coming through the EFI competition bike classes at the moment are showing levels of innovation, and individual flair that is quite astounding,” he said.
“The Todd Patterson built air clutch is an engineering masterpiece.”
The ANDRA Best Engineered Vehicle Award is presented at three Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship events each year. A further two will be awarded at the Winternationals, June 5-8 at Willowbank Raceway and the Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway October 31-November 2.
Top image courtesy: Phil Luyer / High Octane Photos