Local Utica man nationally recognized for drag racing
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: October 5, 2011
Drag racing is a nationally recognized sport, it's even featured on ESPN.
One Utician has gained national attention for his racing.
Neil Jacobs has had a love for drag racing for as long as he can remember.
"I was kind of brought up with it. You know what I mean, we always got involved in racing, hot cars, I used to do cars quite a bit, I used to have a street car that I retired for awhile. I just like the open air feel of the bike," said Jacobs.
He started making national records with drag bike racing in 1980, and he's been hitting the tracks ever since he was 12 years old.
"My oldest brother, Mike, got involved with car racing, and it kind of dwindled from there. We've been doing this for 35 to 40 years, pretty close," he said.
Throughout the years he's enjoyed the recognition he's received for his racing.
Jacobs has been featured nationally and has been contacted by people who have seen his races. He said it has been really fun.
Neil races in the NHRA Pro Stock Driver class, which he says is a pretty difficult class and takes serious dedication.
He puts everything together in his own shop right at home.
"As a rider, it's pretty complicated you have to do some practice. It's something you learn," said Jacobs.
Neil says that Pro Stock means that it is naturally aspirated with no power added, and that it is all engine powered.
However, Neil put a halt on his hobby before getting back into it again over the years.
"I got out of racing, I got married, started raising a family, decided I had a hole I wanted to fill, and that's why I got back into it," said Neil.
To get to the level where Neil is today doesn't just happen overnight.
"It's very labor intensive. You got to love it, bottom line. You've got to really like to do what you have to do. My wife thinks I'm a nut because I'm always taking this thing apart and putting it back together again," said Neil.
Neil's last race was in Reading, PA last week.
Unfortunately, there was a mechanical problem with his bike and he had to be taken out after the first round.
He opes to be able to make it to a race in Las Vegas soon.
One Utician has gained national attention for his racing.
Neil Jacobs has had a love for drag racing for as long as he can remember.
"I was kind of brought up with it. You know what I mean, we always got involved in racing, hot cars, I used to do cars quite a bit, I used to have a street car that I retired for awhile. I just like the open air feel of the bike," said Jacobs.
He started making national records with drag bike racing in 1980, and he's been hitting the tracks ever since he was 12 years old.
"My oldest brother, Mike, got involved with car racing, and it kind of dwindled from there. We've been doing this for 35 to 40 years, pretty close," he said.
Throughout the years he's enjoyed the recognition he's received for his racing.
Jacobs has been featured nationally and has been contacted by people who have seen his races. He said it has been really fun.
Neil races in the NHRA Pro Stock Driver class, which he says is a pretty difficult class and takes serious dedication.
He puts everything together in his own shop right at home.
"As a rider, it's pretty complicated you have to do some practice. It's something you learn," said Jacobs.
Neil says that Pro Stock means that it is naturally aspirated with no power added, and that it is all engine powered.
However, Neil put a halt on his hobby before getting back into it again over the years.
"I got out of racing, I got married, started raising a family, decided I had a hole I wanted to fill, and that's why I got back into it," said Neil.
To get to the level where Neil is today doesn't just happen overnight.
"It's very labor intensive. You got to love it, bottom line. You've got to really like to do what you have to do. My wife thinks I'm a nut because I'm always taking this thing apart and putting it back together again," said Neil.
Neil's last race was in Reading, PA last week.
Unfortunately, there was a mechanical problem with his bike and he had to be taken out after the first round.
He opes to be able to make it to a race in Las Vegas soon.
