Thai motorbike drag racing kicks back into gear

A Thai drag racer on his modified motorbike during the NGO Street Drag Race event in Thailand's Chonburi province. - AFP

CHONBURI (AFP): A Thai racer locked his eyes ahead, the heat shimmering from the concrete as he gripped his stripped-back motorbike before it leapt up, back wheel spinning furiously, and bounced forward with a screech of rubber.

Teenager Anawat Duangdara was among scores competing in front of enthusiastic crowds in the raucous NGO Street Drag Race in Chonburi on Sunday, which aimed to take popular -- and dangerous -- motorbike street racing off the roads and onto the tracks.