Nitro Harley rider Stevens living life to the fullest

West Australian Top Fuel Motorcycle rider Benny Stevens is ready to launch a new championship season and continue his quest to become the world's quickest amputee, beginning with Nitro Up North at Hidden Valley Drag Strip.

Stevens lost his leg as the result of an accident while stunt riding a quad bike. It is not the only battle the rider has been through in his life as he also fought off cancer in his early 20s.

Stevens now rides a nitro-fuelled Harley Davidson, and is shooting for some speeds over 200mph and quarter mile times in the 6sec. region, which would easily give him the record.

“We are getting closer to the record we have set out to achieve,” he said. “We have been taking small steps, making the right changes and not hurting any parts.”

With plenty of potential in reserve for the motorcycle, which produces close to 1000 horsepower, Stevens is playing it safe with his strategy, leaving a trail of tuning breadcrumbs to follow.

“We are doing it this way so we're leaving no stone unturned and we always have a reference point to go back to if need be,” he said.

The off season hasn't exactly been an off season for Stevens and his team, converting his bike for use in dirt drag racing and then giving it a complete freshen up before the first round of the Australian National Drag Racing Series Championship season in Darwin on July 8 and 9.

“To get the world's quickest amputee record would be a massive achievement for myself and my crew and proves anything can be possible with a dedicated hungry attitude,” he said.

Stevens will have to run a gauntlet of three former national champions for Nitro Up North as Mark Drew, Chris Porter and Ian Ashelford head to Darwin for their own shots at Top Fuel Motorcycle glory.

Together with 500kmh Top Fuel dragsters, Top Doorslammers and the Summit Sportsman Series, it's all the makings of a legendary drag racing event for Darwin.

Click here for more information about Nitro Up North.