Drag Racing Loses Tommy Bolton
The sport lost a real one. Tommy Bolton wasn’t just a racer, he was a builder, an innovator, a promoter, and a cornerstone of motorcycle drag racing. Known to the community as “Mr. Speed” and the “King of Cali,” Tommy spent a lifetime pushing the limits of what was possible on two wheels.
He was the first African American to break the 200 mph barrier in the quarter-mile. The first rider ever to clock 190 mph on a non-wheelie bar bike in the quarter. And only the fourth person in history to crack 200 mph in the quarter-mile, period.
Beyond the record books, Tommy was one of the early pioneers who proved that no-bar bikes could run with the fastest machines on the planet. He was the mind, the hands, and the heart behind countless race-winning builds, and a mentor to an entire generation of riders, racers, and builders who came up watching him work.
His influence reached far beyond the starting line. Tommy gave back to the sport that gave him a stage, lifting up everyone around him along the way.
Rest easy, Tommy. Your impact on this sport, and the people in it, will never be forgotten.