A YEOVIL drag racer left competitors standing when he broke the track record for the Ramsey Sprint event at this year’s Isle of Man TT.
Paul Furlong completed the eighth of a mile dash in a time of 5.72 seconds – 0.01 second faster than the previous record holder.
Mr Furlong works at his family’s motorcycle tyre dealership, Furlong tyres in Yeovil and he has been drag racing for 35 years.
Last year, he set a new naturally aspirated record for the track. One year later he secured the outright record which officially made him the fastest rider at the 2014 TT.
Winning the event in such a fast time, Mr Furlong says, proves he is the real deal.
He said: “Everybody knows I’m a contender now and it’s nice to get some credibility on the drag racing scene.
“Less than 10 people have ever achieved a time of five seconds.
“Lots of people were gunning for me at this event because I won against my rivals last year.
“They said they wanted to wipe the smile off my face so I was proud to beat them and it’s great to prove it wasn’t a fluke the first time.
“Usually when someone gets a five-second time, the audience clapped but my friend told me they didn’t bother because I kept getting times of five seconds.
Tragically, two riders died at this year’s Isle of Man TT and Mr Furlong said hearing the news of their deaths but his victory into perspective.
“I heard about it the day after I won and I felt guilty for celebrating.
“Unfortunately, deaths of riders and spectators are common at the TT. It doesn’t make it any easier though.”
Furlong Tyres has been operating in Yeovil since 1979. It is owned by Fred Furlong, who, along with Paul’s brother Aaron, also took part in the Ramsey Sprint.