JOSIE BROOKS READY FOR UPCOMING PRO BIKE & SLED SERIES EVENT AT EMPIRE DRAGWAY 

Suzuki GSXR Pro rider due to battle on Empire eighth-mile strip

CAYUGA, ON – When Josie Brooks suits up and comes to the line with her motorcycle to race, she is in her happy place.  “I can’t imagine my life, had drag racing not been introduced to it.  It’s what we do,” said the Pro Bike racer from Arkona, ON.

Brooks will be one of the competitors during the upcoming Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) event at Empire Dragway in Leicester, NY, on September 22 & 23. A 16 vehicle qualified field of motorcycles and snow machines will compete on the Empire eighth-mile for $1,000 top eliminator money.

Brooks started her racing career in the mid-1990’s, with a Chevrolet Camaro and also piloted a number of other door cars and a dragster.  “I was fortunate to experience racing in different types of cars but nothing touched the feeling I got, and still get, riding a bike!” she said.

The two-wheel saga started in 2003, when Brooks and husband Dan Portiss purchased a motorcycle, and the stage was set. Today she rides a 1997 Suzuki GSXR 750, with a 1640cc engine and new for this year is a 1998 GSXR 1100, also with a 1640cc engine. Both bikes produce approximately 240-250 horsepower, enough to propel her down the eighth-mile in the 4.80-second range, at about 140 mph.  Highlights of her racing career to date include the 2023 Top Gas & Pro ET Man Cup event winner in the US and the 2012 PBSS win at the Grand Bend Motorplex.

Husband Dan is not only her partner in marriage and business, but he is Josie’s Crew Chief as well.  “I would not be capable of doing this without the support and know-how that Dan provides to both me and my bikes.”  Daughter Jaymie assists with between round maintenance and keeps the logbooks straight.  Jeremey Van Bastelaar at Stupid Fast Cycles keeps the engines and transmissions at the ready.

Brooks said she not only enjoys the racing, but the camaraderie the sport provides. “It’s my family, and friends that might as well be family,” she explained. “And if I’m honest, who doesn’t love seeing that win light come on in their lane!”

The Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) was organized early in 2011.  It was established for motorcycle and snowmobile drag racing teams to compete on a regular basis, in an organized and professional racing environment.  The Series is comprised of a qualified field of 16 quick motorcycles and snowmobiles and presents the best in E.T. style, dialed-in drag racing. This Series competes on a Sportsman ladder.  Contestants race in the four second range, at speeds reaching 150 mph and above.

Competitors in this exciting Series adhere to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA).

The September 22 & 23 schedule will be as follows and is subject to change:

Test & Tune: Friday 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Qualifying: Two runs, Saturday 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
Eliminations: Saturday 2:00 pm

Visit the Pro Bike and Sled Series (PBSS) at https://www.facebook.com/probikeandsledseries and the Empire Dragway at EmpireDragway.com for more information and event updates.