The sensational 1500BHP bike won two European Championship rounds and posted some excellent times & finishing speeds but, according to its rider, it still has the potential to go significantly quicker.
 
In the off-season the Gulf bike toured India, appearing at various Gulf Oil Corporation events and wowing crowds, as Ian King pulled off huge burn-outs and demonstration runs with the monster machine, often on roads specially closed off for the occasion. 
 
Like the factory Aston Martin Racing cars, the Gulf Top Fuel bike also uses Gulf lubricants and Ian King is hoping that the promise the bike has shown will be fully realised in 2012, to deliver for him an impressive sixth European crown.
 
The Gulf Oil DragRacing Team is a unique initiative, with sponsorship coming from various Gulf affiliates around the globe together with Gulf’s Official Clothing licensee, Dakota (under its Grand Prix Originals brand).
 

Gulf Oil International Brand and Marketing Manager Sam Cork (pictured at the launch of the new Gulf liveried Aston Martin GTE), is understandably excited about the 2012 season. “All of this activity means that there could be seven or even eight Gulf cars at various rounds of the World Endurance Championship, which would be incredible. Also, with a Gulf presence in the Blancpain Series and the awesome drag racing top fuel bike, there is an incredible motor sport programme for Gulf businesses and fans around the world to buy into. As the brand has continued to grow so has the motorsport programme and the 2012 season presents a truly mouth watering prospect.”
 


2012 UEM European Top Fuel Bike Championship
•    June 2 - 4 Santa Pod, UK
•    June 14-17 Tierp, SWE
•    July 5 - 8  Alastaro, FIN     
•    August 10 - 12 Hockenheim, D
•    August 23 - 26 Tierp, SWE
•    September 6 - 9 Santa Pod, UK