T.C. Christenson, 1943-2023 [4-Time Drag Racing Champion]

Thomas “T.C.” Christenson died on September 21, 2023. He was born on February 1, 1943.

Christenson’s lengthy profession within the motorbike business included operating Sundown Motors in Kenosha, Wisc., for 54 years. In that point, he took Norton from being referred to as an awesome street bike model to the highest of the motorbike drag racing world.

From 1972 to 1975, Christenson, in partnership with John Gregory, co-builder of his double-engine Norton drag bike, received 4 consecutive NHRA Gasoline Bike motorbike drag racing world championships. They’re the one world championships in drag racing for the British marque. Christenson had bought Sundown Motors from Gregory in 1969.

So dominant was the Norton over the beforehand unbeatable Harley-Davidson Prime Gasoline bikes of the day that his bike grew to become referred to as Hogslayer. Even after his drag racing days had been behind him, Christenson remained loyal to the Norton model.

Christenson and Gregory took the Norton drag bike to a brand new degree by constructing Hogslayer III, a Prime Gasoline dragster with three modified Commando engines. Nonetheless, Hogslayer III was by no means run in competitors.

Christenson was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Affiliation Bike Corridor of Fame in 2005, and Hogslayer was positioned for show within the Nationwide Bike Museum in Solihull in England’s West Midlands.

In 2011, producer James Chopping launched a documentary DVD on Christianson and Hogslayer—Hogslayer: The Unapproachable Legend. A tenth-anniversary version was launched final 12 months.

I received to know T.C. via our mutual membership within the British Biker Cooperative (BBC). He was a free spirit who knew how you can let the great instances roll, each on and off the monitor. He was a person who cherished a great snigger and a great story.

One in all his favourite issues to do was lead the Burner Run on Saturdays throughout the BBC’s annual Rally and Bike Present held at Eagle Cave Resort close to Blue River, Wisc. T.C. retained his ardour for each the velocity and dealing with of the Norton. He would sling his 1974 Commando via the corners and howl down the straights at a relatively excessive velocity.

On one of many runs, he requested me for concepts on some new roads to cowl and sights to see on the Burner Run, as I stay within the space the place the rally takes place. We made our solution to Pier Park within the hamlet of Rockbridge in Richland County. T.C. fell in love with the place. He had by no means seen it earlier than, and was fascinated by the sandstone escarpment, which has a radical overhang and two naturally eroded tunnels proper via it. One is simply sufficiently big to stroll via, and one is a part of the mattress of the Pine River.

I even have an autographed copy of Rickey and The Regimentals’ HogSlayer CD single. The quilt options Hogslayer in entrance of Sundown Motors.

T.C. Christianson is survived by his spouse, Brenda Harrison, daughters Marissa Miner and Caitlin Kroening, three grandchildren (Margot, Clay, and Bridgette), and lots of nieces and nephews.