Because mere words are not sufficient, here’s some rare video of the late EJ Potter wheeling his Chevy-powered drag bike, the Widowmaker.
Earlier this week MCG told you the story of EJ Potter, the mild-mannered Michigan farmer who found world fame as the Michigan Madman, piloting a series of tire-smoking, Chevy-powered exhibition bikes. Of course, insanely overpowered motorcycles were only part of EJ’s CV. He was also a champion tractor puller and an expert on Allison aircraft engines, among his many talents.
We’re remembering EJ this week because it was just one year ago that the world lost him due to complications from Alzheimer’s. The video below features a very special run by EJ, who came out of retirement on July 4, 1999 to take one last pass on one of his Widowmaker bikes before it was sent to a museum.
At this point he was 58 years old and hadn’t been on the bike in decades. But as you will see, he handled the crazy machine like he’d never left. “Everything felt just like it did in the ’60s,” EJ reported. “For a short time I was 25 years old again.” Watch this.
Straight as a string!
146 mph. ‘Nuf said.
I had the pleasure of seeing E J at the Marion County International Raceway when I was just a young man! I still have the program and yes Mr. Potter autographed it! R.I.P. E j Potter.
Where is this dragstrip? ….lived in Mid-Michigan about 7 miles from EJ’s farm…..visited there a couple times to talk and view his works. Normally he was more action than talk and seldom stayed at home very much….being on the road worldwide with his bike or tractors.