Beta sponsors NHRA Funny Car racer: ‘Car guys ride dirt bikes’
Perennial championship contender Doug Gordon’s Top Alcohol Funny Car will be backed by Beta Motorcycles for the next two seasons. Gordon, who has driven to 30-plus final round appearances in national competition, dozens of divisional and regional event titles, and numerous division championships in the team’s trademark green, will have a whole new look for 2020 and 2021.
“It would take a lot for us to change from the color our cars have been for 25 years, but this isn’t just anybody we’re teaming up with,” said Gordon of his alliance with Beta’s Tim Pilg. “It had to be for the right type of company and the right kind of people, and Beta Motorcycles and Tim are the right kind of people. After meeting him and checking out the company, we’re thrilled to represent them and have their colors on our car.”
“What really appeals to me is NHRA’s TV package,” said Pilg, whose Paso Robles, Calif.-based company has been manufacturing high-end off-road competition motorcycles for more than a century. “I’ve watched Doug for years on TV, and NHRA looks like a great place for us to be. It’s simple, really: ‘car guys’ ride dirt bikes. Not everybody has heard of Beta Motorcycles, we want to get our name out there more, and the Gordon race team is a great way to do it.”
Beta has aligned itself with a proven commodity. In the past five years, Gordon, gunning for a sixth straight Top 10 finish in 2019, has finished fourth, fourth, second, third, and third in the final NHRA national standings.
“It’ll be great to have a new look for our team and great to get the Beta Motorcycles’ name in front of new people and broaden their horizons,” he said. “We’re excited for the next two seasons.”
Gordon and the Beta Motorcycles Top Alcohol Funny Car team will unveil their all-new look and a brand-new car built by Funny Car star Jonnie Lindberg at the season-opening 2020 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., and run a full slate of 15-16 regional and national events.
