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Kawasaki ZX-12R from Wally

INTERMOT countdown part 9

From zero to 300 in just over 7 seconds: The dragster Kawasaki ZX-12R, built by Clemens “Wally” Walleit and his team, pulls the chain with 507 turbo hp, for maximum acceleration over the quarter mile. It takes guts – without a wheelie bar.

B.Searing smoke blows over the venerable Motodrom in Hockenheim. Engines roar, tires whimper, flames ignite from arm-thick exhaust systems. It is mid-August and the NitrOlympX, Germany’s largest dragster event, is taking place in the Palatinate. Incredible vehicles with two and four wheels are gradually at the start, jumping over the quarter mile in a knockout system. Petrol heads from all over Europe live and feverish to the beat of the "Christmas Tree", the starting light. In the midst of the noisy, colorful hustle and bustle, Clemens “Wally” Walleit is at the start, bringing his Shinko tires to operating temperature by means of a hearty burn-out.

Kawasaki ZX-12R from Wally

INTERMOT countdown part 9

Power fuel at 9 euros / liter

The ball-bearing exhaust gas turbocharger from Garret shovels special fuel with 119 octane into the combustion chambers at up to 150,000 revolutions per minute. “In a 400-meter run, we burn around one liter at nine euros,” says Wally. Not a bargain, the power fuel. In the past, on his Kawasaki Z 750 Turbo, Wally drove with nitrous oxide injection. "But that is no longer necessary with much more powerful series machines since the Hayabusa." Kawasaki freak Clemens Walleit faces the superiority of the larger-capacity Turbo Busas with a few like-minded people on the ZX-12R. "The top teams in our class have over 700 hp", says Clemens Walleit modestly. "But that is a question of cost."

Volker Rost

Around 507 hp are available at 11,200 rpm, while it was 178 hp as standard.

Because the technical effort is simply enormous. Reinforced valve springs are located in the cylinder heads and the transitions of all channels are machined. In addition, the cylinders have reinforced stud bolts for a tightening torque of 95 instead of 60 Newton meters. Larger injection nozzles with a maximum of 1000 instead of 290 cm³ passage per minute are located in the adapted throttle bodies. Only special forged pistons, forged Carillo connecting rods and the lock-up clutch with reinforced springs can withstand the special load. The faster the engine turns, the more the clutch closes, keeping the power in check. "A basic engine with series parts would not go 100 meters, "speculates Wally. Sven Hardell meticulously keeps a log of all work, modifications and settings. Performance is nothing without control!

Freely programmable ignition and launch control prevent a rollover at start. It is activated together with the boost pressure control when the clutch lever is pulled in first gear: A small trigger actuates the misappropriated headlight flasher switch. Open fire! "Even when the car is stationary, the turbo shovels with full boost – when I suddenly release the clutch, the full boost pressure is immediately there," says Wally. In the race, when the shift light comes on (at 11,300 rpm), it shifts up pneumatically in milliseconds until the sixth is there. 80 milliliters of injected water per 400 meters cool the highly compressed intake air. The specially adapted DragShock strut from the US manufacturer Penske dips in slightly, then rebounds slowly: little compression meets a lot of rebound damping.

Turning circle larger than with semi-trailers

Everything here revolves around a great experience in a very short time. Just not too much: wheelies may look spectacular, but they take time. "It is ideal if the front wheel hovers very slightly over the asphalt. "Wally mentally takes you on the dragstrip:" Whether you interrupt a run or not is less determined by the height of the lifted front wheel than by the speed of the climb. "Full acceleration without rollover protection is just a ride on the knife edge. "If you’ve had a good run, the adrenaline will continue to pump in your blood for a long time!" (Wally). A lot of weight very far forward and down, the crouched appearance, 16-inch front wheel and above all the crazy long swing arm ensure traction and alleviate the tendency to wheelie a little. The regulations limit the wheelbase to 1.73 meters.

It is also important to have negative acceleration, to slow down again. “There are tracks where you have to go straight to the finish line,” explains Wally. The six-piston stoppers bite with racing pads, the rear stopper is operated with the left thumb. The specially shaped petrol tank at the front behind the fairing and a wider, flatter oil pan with baffle plates prevent the operating materials from sloshing back and forth. Maneuvering is tough, the turning circle is greater than that of any semi-trailer.

Unfortunately, the engine goes up on Saturday during qualification. Damn. And the brand new replacement engine has an oil pressure problem. That’s it, Wally’s team is passed from seventh to eleventh place within the FIM European Championship (!): “That’s Racing.” You screw up and suffer together. "We are trying to get our season goal of making it into the top ten to get back at the final in England," sums up Wally.

Hot sprint races at INTERMOT 2018

There are even more spectacular bikes to marvel at on the first weekend in October in Cologne. There is a touch of motorcycle festival over the INTERMOT Saturday – blatant modifications and a lot of show. Under the direction and moderation of Jorg Litzenburger, known from Glemseck 101, it is then: "Full throttle until the tires smoke!"

Volker Rost

The "Sultans of Sprint" get down to business, like the hot laughing gas 1400 V2 from Radical Guzzi. It is driven in the knockout system.

For the sprints man against man (or woman) on the 1/8 mile, the rule applies: The winner takes it all. You can experience the Sultans of Sprint here as well as the INTERMOT International Class and numerous show sprints! Be there when the fastest custom bikes compete against each other. On the previous days of the fair, all bikes are also in Hall 10.1, where they can be inspected up close. So, off to INTERMOT 2018 in Cologne!

Special exhibition "Totally crazy": On the exhibition boulevard in the corridor between exhibition halls 6 and 9 and at the MOTORRAD stand in hall 9, stand A 41.

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