Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Vermeulen'§ Other Ride Being away from home for extended periods and having nothing else to do when not testing or racing has forced World Superbike Winston Ten Kate Honda racer Chris Vermeulen to keep his mind wandering to what he'll do when he gets home. He is currently working toward his pilot's license and enjoys a bit of motocross to keep his riding skills sharp, and being an Aussie, Vermeulen loves surfing. And of course, a lot of his time is spent training and keeping fit. But there is a passion that Vermeulen shares with his father, Pete, involving not two wheels, but four. It's not state-of-the-art machinery like a modern racing motorcycle: It's the nostalgic lines of a hotrod. "I've always had an interest in hotrods," says Vermeulen, "Me and my mates at school were always into bikes and cars. We always tried to drive V-eights because they're just so much cooler and sound great - much better than a hot-hatchback and its 'boom-boom' music!" Around the time he was preparing to become a professional motorcycle racer in Europe, Vermeulen bought a 1962 Ford FI00 pickup. "I was really after a mid-'SOs version," he explains, "but they're incredibly rare [in Australia)." As luck would have it, no sooner had Vermeulen bought his '62 model than the Holy Grail, a 1954 version, appeared. "I've still got the first one in bits, but I had to have the '54," he says, "even though it was no more than a chassis and a cab. There was no engine, differentials or axles, and the floor was virtually rusted away. "[My) dad did more than half the work because I was away so much," he adds, "but we found a 5-liter V-eight from a 19B6 Mustang, got a 9-inch rear differential from a drag racer and a four-speed manual gearbox. There's independent front suspension from a Mitsubishi LJoo van and steering from an old Ford Cortina. It all took about IB months and cost me more than double my original budget of $30,000 [Australian), but it really is my pride and joy." Pete Vermeulen looks after the FI00 while his son is away and has even won prizes after entering it in a couple of hotrod shows. "I always tinker with it a bit whenever I come home," Chris says, "and like to just cruise around in it. A mate of mine has a Ferrari, but the pickup gets a lot more admiring looks!" Vermuelen recently purchased the '33 Ford Coupe pictured here. "There were a heap of different Ford models [back) then," he says, "but the two-door, two-seater Coupes do-up really well and look so cool. I eventually found a 1933 model in America, and it's on its way over to Europe now." This latest weapon also boasts the obligatory V-eight developing around 400 bhp, which runs through a three-speed semiautomatic gearbox and differential taken from another drag racer. "We reckon it'll do a standing quarter mile in under 10 seconds," Vermeulen smiles, "which is pretty quick!" Perhaps not quite as quick as his Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR IOooRR Fireblade and, at around $50,000 [U.S.) - including shipping and import costs - perhaps not quite as expensive. But for a would-be World Champion, the bright yellow hotrod Model B Ford Coupe is perfect for just "cruising around." To cast your vote, log on to www.cydenews.com. WEb INSiYE Cyclenews.com reader poll question of the week Which of the following best describes your feelings regarding the perform· ance of Team Suzuki Flat Track riders Jake Johnson and Kevin Varnes, who are currently fourth and fifth, respectively, in the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship Series standings? A. It's good to see the Suzukis doing well. The more brands, the better the racing. B. Dirt track is Harley-Davidson's show and should remain so exclusively. Online poll results from last week Is Eric Bostrom a one-track wonder; or will he win another race in 2ooS? A. One-track wonder (Pikes Peak). 1852 (59.99%) B. He'll get baclk on track and win again this season, 1235 (40.01%) Total Replies: 3087 PHOTO BY LARRY LAWRENCE CYCLE NEWS. JUNE 8, 2005 93

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