Ulf Ögge jokes about that he´s "the world's fastest photographer" but that´s not the reason we write about him here. No, Ulf Ögge is not only a photographer and the owner of the store Mattssons Photo in Lund, he´s europe's number one in Drag Racing.
Ulf Ögge lives with his wife and daughter in a village in southern Skåne. In his spare time, when he´s not working as a photographer and runs Mattsson's photo in Lund, he devotes himself to the motorcyclesport Drag Racing. Or, maybe we should say, when he´s not involved with Drag Racing, he works at Mattsson´s Photo?
Because when I ask Ögge if he's doing this full time, I get the answer:
- It depends on who you ask.
And when I ask him how many hours per week he spends on this, the answer is:
- Several.
At least I get the feeling that he spends a lot of time on this sport.
Ögge began Drag Racing in the late 90's. Today he runs for the club SRIF Malmö, Skåne racers nonprofit association.
He says he always had a great interest in motorcycles and racing.
For those of you who don´t know, this sport is about racing a straight run as fast as possible. The sport originated from the States. In Sweden the first race took place at the Scandinavian Raceway outside Anderstorp, 1968.
Ögge himself competes mostly in Finland and the States. With the time of 7:03 (Gainesville, USA), he was the first european to qualify for the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association).
Ögge competes in a class called Pro Stock Bike. In this class the bikes are heavily modified. It´s supposed to look like a regular bike but the trimming is completely free.
Ögge competes with a 2005 S & S / Buell NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle.
To my question about how long the lifetime is for a racing bike Ögge responds that they are upgraded and maintained continuously. So if you just take good care of your bike, I guess they can keep up for a while.
The Team which, besides Ögge himself, consists of seven people, his daughter included, will stay the same for the coming year. No changes?
-No, these guys have been around for many years!
I´ve heard of a special bus and was asked by one of my colleagues if it would last another season. When I ask Ögge about this, he tells me that it´s the metal band Rammsteins old tour bus they drive when it's time to tour. The bus is now rebuilt and besides beds, tools, mechanic tents and other stuff there´s room for the racing bike.
And it will last another season?
- Yes we use an excellent bus garage in Vellinge "George Bus & Truck Service" and you get egg sandwiches during service!!
I can´t promise you that all visitors will get egg sandwiches, maybe you have to be one of the Team or maybe you, as Ögge, have to have adrenaline rushes as an interest?
Some brief facts about the team:
Crew Chief: Ola Pettersson
Sponsor: Mats Hansson (vd Bikeline)
Crew: Mattias Brandt och Peter Jönsson
Pitbike/Video: Torsten Carlenfeldt
Catering: Eva
Sunshine: Wilma
About the bike:
Body Style: 2005 XB9R
Series: European Championship
Division: Pro Stock Motorcycle
Engine: 60 Degree S&S V-Twin
Displacement: 160 Cubic Inches
Horsepower: 320+@ 8400rpms
Torque: 200 ft. lbs. Plus
Fuel Injection: Magnetti Morelli
Transmission: 6-Speed S&S Liberty
Cams: S&S
Cylinder Heads: Billet Aluminum S&S
Pistons: S&S
Cases: Billet Aluminum
Chassis:
Construction: Kosman 4130 Chrome Moly Body
Material: Carbon Fiber
Wheelbase: 70 inches
Overall Length: 12 Feet
Overall Width: 24 inches
Gas Capacity/Type: 1 Qt.
Brakes: Dual Front, Single Rear Disc
Tires: Front: Mickey Thompson
Rear: Mickey Thompson