Henson leaving Velocity Racing & moving on

Published on August 18, 2010 by Doug Ray · No Comments Share->

Barry Henson innovator,champion drag racer and manufacturer of motorcycle turbo systems is leaving the company he founded over 10 years ago. Henson was the first person to run over 200 mph in the 1/4 mile in 2005 at Rockingham Dragway during the MiRock Superbike Series aboard his now infamous Velocity Racing Haybusa. Henson is a multi time champion in Prostar and AMA Dragbike Series and won Pro Street Champions Ships in 2004-2005 along with back to back wins in 2002 and 2003 in the “Worlds Fastest Streetbike Championship”. Henson enjoyed a brief appearance in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class competition during his career with Velocity Racing. News circulating initially was Henson was closing Velocity Racing , as rumors ran rampant Henson cleared the air and posted the following on the popular motorcycle drag racing forum psychobike.com.

“First, let me say thanks for everyone’s concerns. But Velocity Racing is not going out of business. We are selling turbo kits and swing arms every day. Velocity Racing has never been my primary source of income. Its really been my passion more than anything. I enjoy the dragracing, and helping people go fast. That’s really what started Velocity in the first place. But I have been in the trucking industry for over 20 years, and that is really what has provided for my family. And as most people know, I have had to remove myself from the day to day operations at Velocity for about 2 years now, to run my other business. I have only been helping out when the guys need me. I am now opening another truck driving school in Knoxville, and will be moving there in the next month. So, I have decided to sell Velocity instead of relocating it again.I will not have the time to train train new people.

I have reached an agreement with RPM to purchase Velocity. Jason has been around since the day we opened our doors. For years, our shops were across the street from each other in ft Lauderdale. So Jason has been around the turbo stuff for a long time. He has been also been doing most all of our machine work since we started. He will do a great job with it. The deal is not final yet, but getting close.
I will still be involved in the drag racing community. I love the sport and plan on being around it for a very long time. My intentions are to get settled in Knoxville, and build another bike and go back racing next year with my son Sean. I will still be helping support all my friends that are racing, and stay involved. Hope this helps clear up the rumors. Hopefully this economy turns around and we can rebuild this great sport.”

Many racers have enjoyed the fruits of Henson’s labor, most noticeably 8 time World Champion Mike Slowe. Slowe was the flagship rider for the Velocity Racing Team in the early days of the company forming a team to compete at a national level. Slowe was unable to be reached for comment at press time.

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