New England Motor Sports Museum

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RICK STETSON AND SUZY ARRIVE
04/29/2024
RICK STETSON AND SUZY ARRIVE

Hall of Famer Rick Stetson and crew recently rolled “Suzy” his 1981 Suzuki GA1100 into the museum. The race winning and championship winning motorcycle is a custom creation of the Marlborough Massachusetts drag racer.

Stetson and Suzy had a storied run at dragways across the country. The motorcycle was initially purchased off a showroom floor in Boston, MA. Shortly afterwards the bike was completely taken apart and customized by Stetson and his crew to race in the Pro Comp class. He was the #1 plate holder with the National Motorcycle Racing Associations Pro Comp class in 1981, 1982 and 1983 seasons. He and Suzy has an impressive undefeated run in 1982 when they bested every competitor they faced.

With eight second runs down the drag strip at nearly 160mph he was victorious at the 1983 NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta in Pro Comp. With the victory the team secured their first ever NHRA Wally, the most coveted victory trophy in world of drag racing.

In 1986 Rick upgraded Suzy to Pro Stock specs. He defeated Pizza John Mafaro to claim his first NHRA Pro Stock win and second Wally at the 1986 NHRA Gator Nationals. There final NHRA victory came in 1987 when the duo defeated Dave Shultz at the NHRA Cajun Nationals. 1989 marked the final season of Rick and Suzy competing on the NHRA tour.

Stetson was inducted to the New England Hot Rod Hall of Fame at the New England Dragway on June 26, 2016. The arrival of Rick Stetson’s motorcycle is a part of the museums effort to increase its outreach and presence with the New England drag racing community. The effort is being led by board member Mabel Doyle.



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