Italjet Dragster - News Archive

NOVEMBER 2005

23/11/05 : By now many of you will have no doubt seen pics or heard the news of Italjet's up-and-coming Dragster incarnations as seen at the recent EICMA Milan show, namely their Dragster 50cc injection version, 125cc four-stroke and 250cc four-stroke. I have some official press shots here of the 250cc Dragster (thanks to Mau Spencer at TAG). The spec for the 250 reads as follows:

Engine: 1 cylinder / 4 stroke
Displacement: 244.3cc
Bore/Stroke: 72mm / 60mm
Fuel: Unleaded Petrol
Compression Ratio: 10.6:1 - 11.5:1
Max. Power: 22 HP @ 8250rpm
Max. Torque: 20.2 Nm @ 6500rpm
Timing System: 4 valve timing with single camshaft to the head (SOHC)
Cooling: Water cooled
Starting: Electric Starter
Transmission: Automatic belt drive, CVT/continous
Clutch: Centrifugal/Automatic
Chassis: Trellis frame, front suspension - S.I.S. with single hydropneumatic shock absorber with adjustable spring
Front Brake: Hydraulic disk 175mm
Rear Brake: Hydraulic disk 240mm
Front Tyre: 120/70/11"
Rear Tyre: 130/60/13"
Length: 1775mm
Width: 680mm
Saddle Height: 790mm
Dry Weight: 110kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10lt
Max. Speed: 125 km/h (77.6mph)
Homologation: Euro 3

Here are the pics:

Comments and pics have already been posted on the Message Board. Looking at the prototype they've fitted the Piaggio Quasar 250 engine to a D50 frame (as opposed to a D125/180 frame), a single shocker at the rear as opposed to double, a Piaggio Runner VX new style exhaust and later Piaggio style airbox can also be seen. Italjet's official International press release about the Dragster re-launch can be found here, have a read. Interesting times, still no news of import/distribution though...

16/11/05 : Now then, a few people have been asking when the X-Race Awards are going to be... Well, now I can tell you that the X-Race Awards (for the 2005 Series) will be held at the Carousel Hotel in Blackpool 3/4th February 2006, the awards will take place as part of the annual Straightliners presentation. I need to get full booking details as yet, but the cost I am told is Ł35 bed and breakfast. There will be a buffet, beer and a band plus trophies and prizes for the X-Race 2005 winners. Should be good!

Also... Due to feedback from my race report that appeared in this month's issue of TAG... There will now be an X-Race 2006 Series... The difference being X-Race will now become a permanent part of the Straightliners series but keeping the X-Race identity. Straightliners realise that X-Race has become recognised as a national drag race series dedicated to scooters. There will be numerous rounds including possibly two rounds at Avon Park and Santa Pod; the recently announced '2 Wheel Hijack' (formerly known as the Scooter Hijack) is now being run by Straightliners and this will be two days of racing and count towards X-Race championship points, date for this event: 16/17 September. There will also be another round at Santa Pod (provisionally) on 7 May.

A BIG three day event is on the cards too at Avon Park taking place in Easter (provisionally: 15/16/17 April) where there will be numerous attractions. Full details in due course.

In the meantime, those of you who are interested in the Straightliners / X-Race Awards in Blackpool, please contact me ASAP so that I can put your name down. This event is also open to anyone else who's up for a jolly good piss up! A number of people are also due to receive their trophies/prizes, so please get in touch.

Attractions for 2006...

6/7/8 January - National Motorcycle Show, Manchester G-MEX

The 2006 show will also include an indoor 30m drag strip for mini-moto's... More news on this soon...

3/4 February - Straightliners / X-Race Awards Bash, Blackpool

Straightliners / X-Race 2006

12 March - Elvington, North Yorkshire (RWYB)

Round 1: 26 March - Elvington
Round 2: 15/16/17 April - Avon Park, Warwickshire
Round 3: 23 April - Elvington
Round 4: 7 May - Santa Pod, Bedfordshire
Round 5: 28 May - East Kirkby, Lincolnshire
Round 6: 18 June - Elvington
Round 7: 25 June - East Kirkby
Round 8: 22/23 July - Jurby, Isle of Man
Round 9: 6 August - East Kirkby
Round 10: 13 August - Elvington
Round 11: 16/17 September - 2 Wheel Hijack, Santa Pod
Round 12: 8 October - Elvington

N.B. The above dates are currently provisional.

11/11/05 : TAG issue 46 is out now:

In this month's issue:

• Cover scoot: Downtown custom Runner • Paris Show 2005 report • Kymco MXU 250 RL quad test • Minimoto racing at Stretton • Jialing Pony 125 test • X-Race Round 6 • Fire Breather - custom Speedake • Zip N8ro custom Zip • Aprilia's MX 125 super motard test • BSSO racing at Cadwell... Plus much more...

10/11/05 UPDATE: Long overdue now (no spare time these days), Dragster Gallery Collection 37 is now on-line...

02/11/05 : Steve 'Ferrari' Jenkins in the US wrote in to say that he has the Italjet Dragster Workshop Manual in Adobe Acrobat format hosted on his website, and it's available to download here: http://italjet.stevejenkins.com/downloads/. Nice one Steve.